Instrument Care...

A Few Guidelines

Keep it safe

• Keep your instrument and bow in the case and in a safe place when not in use. Remember not to leave pencils, shoulder rests or anything else in the case that could damage the instrument.
• Never put a violin or viola on a chair -- it will get sat on!
• Be aware of shirt buttons, bracelets and dangling earrings -- they are often the cause of scratches, dings and dents.
• Handle your violin or viola carefully by the neck and chinrest to prevent accidental damage and to avoid deterioration of the varnish.

Keep it clean

• A clean instrument sounds better than one ingrained with dirt and rosin dust. Wipe the strings and top of the instrument free of rosin after each use, because over time it can build up and create a sticky mess. Also, rosin is slightly acidic and can damage the finish. A soft, dry cloth will do.
• If you clean consistently, it should not be necessary to use a specialized bowed instrument polish or cleaner.
• Don't use furniture polish or household cleaners -- they will either leave a deposit on the instrument or rub the varnish away.

Keep its environment constant

• Protect your instrument from extreme heat or cold and from sudden changes in temperature. Never leave it in a car! Excessive heat softens the glue that holds your instrument together, bubbles the varnish, and ruins some types of cases.
• Ideally, your instrument should be stored in 45-55% relative humidity. If the air is too dry the wood will shrink, causing cracks. During winter, if you don't have a home humidifier, it's wise to buy a Dampit instrument humidifier.

Keep an eye on the setup

• Never move or adjust the sound post yourself. If you suspect a problem with it, or if it falls over, immediately loosen tension from the strings and take your instrument to a trained technician.
  (If you need to learn about bowed instrument parts, visit the Beginners section)
• Inspect the bridge often to be sure it is in the correct position. It should tilt very slightly backward toward the tailpiece (the bridge is held in place only by the pressure of the strings; it is not glued to the instrument.) Tuning with the pegs tends to pull the bridge forward, which causes the bridge to "warp." From time to time, you need to gently grab both sides of the bridge at the top (closest to the strings), and work it back ever so slightly until the lean is visible. You must be very gentle in doing this so as not to completely knock the bridge over. Always make sure both bridge feet are securely touching the top of the instrument.
• When changing strings, never release the tension of more than one string at a time, or the alignment of the bridge and sound post may get out of place.