PEGS 1

I am going to tell you about string instrument pegs and how they work. Like all the parts of string instruments, pegs, too, have evolved over the course of several centuries.

Earlier, Scroll told you about some of the early ancestors of modern-day, string instruments.  Because I am Peg, I must admit that I am a little partial. I am not merely an art object, although many skilled luthiers have created some incredibly ornate and beautiful pegs. Some pegs have etchings and others have gold fittings.

Like all of us, individual pegs may look a little different from one another, but all serve useful and needed functions! Simply put, without pegs, your instrument will not work! The pegs always are to be handled with extreme care. Never turn the pegs without your teacher’s guidance.

Later on, Q will show you how to earn the privilege of being allowed to turn the pegs. Yes, I intentionally used the word privilege. You “earn your driving privileges” and then are permitted to drive. You will earn your “turning-the pegs-privileges” in the same way.

When your skills advance and your earned experience points are sufficient, you will be prepared to earn this special privilege. Unlocking the achievement — How to Tune Your Own Instrument — is further along, so for now, you should not even attempt to turn the pegs. If you find that your pegs need attention, share this with your teacher.  If you experiment by yourself, you might cause permanent instrument damage.

Valuable materials are used to make strings and pegs – precious metals and rare woods. Strings are built to withstand normal wear and tear. Strings should and will wear out from correct, extended, use. Strings can last to the point of needing to be changed while still remaining unbroken, and they should last a long time under normal use!