Caring for your
Violin
Wooden instruments
require a lot of careful attention. They are built from
materials that exert pressure on one another, and they
also vibrate almost constantly. So structural changes
take place, even with the best of care. Here are a few
things you can do to help avoid wreaking havoc on your
instrument:
1. Keep it clean
by using only a soft, dry cloth. Wipe off rosin buildup
daily.
2. Try to keep the
temperature and humidity even. If you can, avoid sudden
changes. You can do this by
o
Storing the
instrument away from direct sunlight
o
Using a Dampit in
the winter
o
Leaving the case
closed for at least 15 minutes if you’ve just traveled or
carried your instrument in cold weather and the case
feels cold.
o
Never, ever
leaving the instrument in your car.
3. Do not ever put
your instrument in the trunk of the car. In the summer,
it’s too hot; rosin will melt and glued parts become
loose. Sometimes the varnish will even soften to the
point that it sticks to the case! In cold weather the
instrument may crack.
4. Perform a
visual check every few weeks to be sure
that:
The bridge is
standing straight (90°
).
Bridges move when we tune the strings; they must be
straightened, or they will warp.
The soundpost is
standing parallel to the bridge. If you have lost some of
your projection, it’s probably due to a soundpost change.
Many instruments need summer and winter soundposts and
bridges.
Strings are smooth
with no jagged edges or unwound covering. Strings need to
be changed once or twice per year.
242
East Center Street Kingsport, TN 37660
423.378.0088
| 
