Why Is My Violin Buzzing? Common Causes and How to Fix Them
It often takes a bit of detective work to figure out the source of a buzz. We knew of a cellist who suffered with this problem, but every time she took her cello to the repairman, the buzz disappeared. Ultimately she realized that a window frame in her practice room was buzzing sympathetically when she played!
Few things are more distracting during practice than an unexplained buzz coming from your instrument. Tracking down the source of a buzz can also be one of the more tricky diagnostic challenges in instrument maintenance.
This guide covers all the most common causes of violin buzzes, organized from the simplest things that you can check yourself to more serious issues that may require professional attention.
Why Is a Buzz So Hard to Diagnose?
These instruments vibrate in complex systems. So when one part of the instrument buzzes, other parts also transmit and amplify the vibration, hiding the buzz's original source. For example, a loose chinrest can buzz but sound like it's coming from the inside the instrument; a loose fine tuner can sound like a frayed string.
Buzzes can also hide! Sometimes they only appear on certain notes or at certain volumes. Other times, they can even disappear when the ambient air humidity changes. That's why you may have the odd experience of coming in to diagnose a buzz, only for it to vanish once you step through our shop's doors.
Some Common Sources You Can Check Yourself
Before assuming there is a structural problem with the instrument, work through these common causes. Many of them can be resolved in a few minutes with no tools at all. It might be helpful to review some instrument anatomy!
Chinrest Is Too Loose
A loose chinrest is one of the most frequent sources of a violin or viola buzz. If loose, tighten the chinrest, preferably using a proper chinrest tool to avoid scratching the instrument. Do not overtighten, as excessive force could potentially damage the the violin or viola. Also check that the chinrest has cork or a soft pad on any surface making direct contact with the instrument body—again, to protect it.
Chinrest Is Touching the Tailpiece
Even a well-tightened chinrest can cause a buzz if it is making contact with the tailpiece. This contact point vibrates sympathetically when certain notes are played. Have a repairperson move the chinrest or carve it so the chinrest no longer touches the tailpiece. Another option, if you're not devoted to that chinrest, is to shop for another that may better suit you and your instrument (we have many in the shop, and you can try our varieties in-person). In the meantime, a small piece of cardboard, leather, or cork placed between the two can temporarily stop the buzz.
Fine Tuners Are Rattling
Fine tuners have a locking nut that can work loose over time, especially with the constant vibration of regular playing. Tighten the lock nut snugly. You can also lubricate the shaft of the screw with peg lubricant, beeswax, or even a small amount of lip balm to help stabilize it and reduce vibration.
Loose String Windings or String Protectors
Look closely at the strings between the bridge and the tailpiece. Many strings have a silk or metal winding that covers part of the string in this area, and these windings can work loose and vibrate against adjacent strings or against the tailpiece. Similarly, some strings have small plastic sleeves (or string protectors) that provide an extra buffer between the string and the bridge, if these slip out of position they can slide down towards tailpiece and result in a rattle.
Mute Buzzes When Not in Use
Many players leave their practice mute sitting on the strings between the bridge and the tailpiece so it is always close at hand. While convenient, the mute can vibrate at certain pitches and produce a noticeable buzz. Remove the mute entirely for a practice session and see whether the buzz disappears. If it does, try a different style of mute. Different materials and designs resonate differently, and switching mute styles often resolves the issue completely. We have a mute that comes with a magnet, which keeps it pinned in place.
Tape on the Fingerboard
Many teachers place strips of tape on the fingerboard to mark first finger placements for students. This is a standard and effective teaching tool, but the tape can sometimes lift slightly at the edges over time and buzz against the strings. Check the tape carefully and replace it if it is peeling! If you suspect the tape but are not sure, remove it temporarily for a practice session and see whether the buzz clears.
Loose Ornamentation on Pegs or Tailpiece
Some instruments have small inlaid details or ornamental fittings on the pegs, tailpiece, or chinrest. These can come loose over time and vibrate. If something is loose, bring it to a repairperson for re-securing or replacement.
Buzz Sources That Require a Trip to Your Repairperson or Luthier
If working through the self-diagnosis list above has not resolved the problem, the buzz is most likely structural. The following causes require professional attention and should not be ignored or left unaddressed for long.
Open Seams
These instruments are glued together with a special hide glue (prepared fresh by the shop). This glue is designed to come apart to allow access to the inside of the instrument, and reduce stress on the wood due to changes in weather and humidity. This is by design: the seams are meant to come apart to alleviate tension on the instrument rather than transmitting that pressure to other areas which could result in more significant damage, like a crack.
When a seam opens, the two pieces of wood vibrate against each other and produces a buzz. Open seams are relatively inexpensive repair, but they do need to be addressed promptly. An open seam can continue to open up more over time, leading to damage.
Fingerboard Is Too Bumpy or Too Flat
The fingerboard needs to have a specific curvature and amount of clearance in order for the strings to vibrate cleanly above it. If the fingerboard surface has developed bumps or is not curved correctly, the strings can buzz against it across one or more positions, and can even cause the instrument to be unnecessarily difficult or uncomfortable to play. Planing the fingerboard is a repair that restores the correct curvature and allows the strings to resonate properly.
Before fingerboard planing:
After fingerboard planing:
Ebony Nut Is Too Low or the Grooves Are Too Deep
The nut is the small strip of material at the top of the fingerboard that spaces and elevates the strings. If the nut is too low overall or the grooves have been worn deeper than they should or aren't properly shaped then the strings will either sit too close to the fingerboard or be pinched often resulting in a buzz, particularly on open strings and first position notes. In this case, the nut must be shimmed or replaced. Planing the fingerboard can also solve the problem of the nut being too low.
Bridge Is Too Low
A bridge that is the wrong height will cause strings to buzz against the fingerboard across a wider range of positions. Unfortunately, this is not something a simple repair can fix. A new bridge will need to be cut to the correct height for the instrument.
Cracks in the Instrument
A crack in the top, back, or ribs of a instrument can vibrate and buzz in ways that are very difficult to locate. Do not attempt to glue a crack yourself! Improper repair can cause the crack to spread or cause damage that makes professional repair more difficult and expensive. If you discover a crack, take the instrument to a repairperson as soon as possible.
F-Holes Clogged With Dirt
The f-holes, particularly at their narrowest points, can accumulate dust and rosin residue over time. If the buildup becomes significant, it can interfere with the acoustic function of the holes and produce buzzing or sound distortion. Cleaning the interior of an instrument is a delicate procedure best left to a professional. Never insert anything into the f-holes yourself.
Loose Bass Bar
The bass bar is a wooden strip glued to the inside of the top of the instrument on the bass side, directly below where the low strings cross the bridge. It reinforces the top and contributes to the instrument's acoustic response. A loose bass bar is relatively uncommon, but does occur—particularly in older instruments.
Do Not Overlook Your Practice Environment
It might not be your instrument that is buzzing, but rather your room and even yourself! Other instruments, music stands, and loose items in the room can vibrate as you play. Also, it is shockingly common that a shirt button or a necklace touches and buzzes with the instrument.
So if your instrument seems perfectly healthy, but you still hear a buzz, first check your body for instrument contact. Then, try moving to a different room.
And if the buzz is somehow still there, we will be here to help you!
Quick Reference: DIY or LUTHIER
When to try yourself:
- Loose chinrest, loose fine tuners, rattling mute
- Tape peeling on fingerboard, floating string sleeves
When to see your luthier immediately:
- Open seams, low nut, low bridge, uneven fingerboard
- Cracks in the instrument, loose bass bar
- Clogged f-holes
A buzz is almost always solvable, given enough patience. It is crucial to have a practical approach, ruling out the simplest explanations before looking for structural problems. Most important, if you are hesitant or stuck, come to us! We have has seen practically every variation of this problem, and can often identify the source in minutes.
This guide was created from notes pulled from a booklet written by Barbara Don, the late wife of Thomas Metzler. Barbara was a dedicated violinist and teacher, and although time has passed, we feel that her words still ring true today.