violinist string BREAKS during Tchaikovsky

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Welp. It happened again folks. Not really sure what I've done to anger the string-gods but this was a spectacularly awkward yet exciting moment to break an E-string!

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RAY CHEN

[RayChenViolinist]

Thanks for watching! What would you have done?

[derkonig]

Remember:
Swapping your weapon is faster than reloading.

[johnbutler]

2 observations:

1. Dude's a boss! Doesn't miss a beat.
2. How about that teamwork? It's like the violin section turned into his pit crew.

[sebasmusician]

The violinist who got to play Ray's violin after the string broke: I see this as an absolute win

[stale.baguette]

THAT ONE DUDE WHO PLAYED THAT ONE NOTE WHEN RAY CHEN WAS PASSING THE VIOLIN TO FINISH THE PHRASE IS A REAL MVP

[adityasundaram]

I love how Ray's like "not to worry" and pulls out spare strings like he's pulling out first aid for an injured kid.

[MiguelBaptista]

Very interesting to see how the hierarchy works for the greater good: The soloist passes onto the concert-master, who passes onto the 2nd chair, which then passes it on to the 4th chair, and thus, the audience has the least possible loss of the piece.

[mattcecil]

Meanwhile the 4th chair is sitting there holding a priceless Stradivarius trying to change a string as fast as possible

[sam_im_trash]

The fact he lost that particular string and STILL managed to play the right notes is MAD talent

[PieInTheSky]

I love how the audience clapped to show encouragement, such a wholesome moment!

[lakatos]

To have humor in such a difficult moment is beautiful. What an incredible person.

[poisonivy]

Legend has it that the violin is still being passed around the orchestra to this day

[KJT]

As Guitarists, our strings RARELY break, but that "pop" sound is literally "Oh no that sucks".
Also, if I had to SWAP a guitar out with another person, my accuracy could maybe be up to 20% off. This guy just plays it like it's his. No warm-up.
Unreal. Literally MILLIMETERS of difference are an entire planet on stringed instruments.

[Mr.MSTER]

That was handled so well. I like how everyone just hands the broken instrument down the ranks and the way he just has extra strings in his pocket. Nicely done folks.

[laika]

As a violinist myself, the ability to play someone else’s violin perfectly without getting used to it first shows tremendous amounts of skill. It’s such a particular instrument that requires so much muscle memory that even the slightest change in neck thickness, string separation or even texture or smoothness of the wood or strings can throw you completely off your game.

[lukeanatol]

that violinist that gave ray his instrument is probably like "damn I never knew my violin could sound like that"

[vm]

a lot of people commented on how impressive it is that he continued perfectly on another violin, but i think its worth mentioning that the first two violinists behind him ALSO kept playing on different instruments after passing the broken one back. its just an impressive band

Edit: everyone stop bringing up that i called it a band i am in high school band (NOT orchestra) and its the only word i could think of i know its wrong youre not helping by correcting me months later

[LostCityExpeditions]

Professional on so many levels. Doesn’t miss a beat or freak out when the string breaks, doesn’t lose his place when he takes the new violin, has no issue playing a violin that’s not his, and has extra stings ready to go in his pocket! And the rest of the violin section handled it expertly as well. Great job all around.

[DLL-yp]

The guy who volunteer to swap his violin deserves more appreciation for being such a good sport.

[kiersteng]

Everyone is talking about Ray’s level of concentration after his string breaks, but I’m still not over how he played the beginning part so lightly and with so much ease! His sound is so crisp and clear it’s crazy!