Your Instrument

Taking Care of Your Instrument

•Handle your instrument, bow and case with care. Instruments and bows are made of thin wood, and can break easily. Bumping your instrument, either in or out of the case, may cause it to go out of alignment.

•Keep your instrument clean. Each time you finish playing, use a soft cloth to wipe the rosin dust from your instrument, bow stick, and strings.

•Do not expose your instrument to excessing heat or cold. Extreme temperatures may cause severe damage to the varnish or construction of the instrument itself.

•Check your bridge often. If it is not standing straight, ASK YOUR TEACHER,to adjust it. DO NOT adjust it yourself.

•Do not attempt your own repairs. Only and expert instrument maker/repair person has the skills, tools and experience to repair your instrument.

•Be careful with your bow! Bows break easily. Don not drop your bow, or hit it on anything that will cause it to break or crack.

•Do not touch the hair of the bow. Moisture, perspiration, oil or dirt from your skin will spoil the bow hair.

A List of Necessary Equipment

•Properly fitted INSTRUMENT

•Properly fitted CASE, with enough room for a shoulder rest

•WOODEN BOW with horsehair (clean, full ribbon)

•Properly fitted SHOULDER REST, and a bag to carry it in, if it does not fit in the case. ( I recommend a regular KUN shoulder rest for most students)

•Properly fitted CHIN REST (I recommend the TEKA chin rest most of the time, but this must be fitted to each individual)

•Soft CLEANING CLOTH (100% cotton)

•ROSIN

•Sharp PENCIL for taking notes and writing in music

•MUSIC STAND for home practice

•Full length mirror

•Metronome

•Cello and Bass: a secure end-pin stopper. An adjustable strap that attaches to the leg of the chair is best.