Instrument Care

Violin and Viola


  1. Open your case on a table or the floor. Make sure the handle of the case is facing you and the case is right side up (hard cases will have a few bumps on the underside, and fabric covered cases will have a pocket on the top side.)
  2. Secure the sponge to the back of your instrument by sliding it under the rubber bands.
  3. If you have your bow, remember we don't touch the bow hair. Oils from our fingers can damage the hair.
  4. Tighten your bow before you play. Don't tighten too much! The stick of the bow should still curve in toward the hair. Rosin the bow a few swipes but don't overdo it.
  5. When you are done playing, use a soft cloth to wipe the rosin off of your strings.
  6. Always loosen your bow before putting it away.
  7. Take the sponge off before putting the instrument in the case.
  8. Don't forget to close the latches on the case before moving it!

Cello


  1. Open the case on the floor.
  2. Unscrew the endpin and pull it out to the right height for you and screw it back in tightly. The way to test if your endpin is the correct height is to make sure the C peg is behind your left ear.
  3. If you lay the cello down, always lay it on its side. Never lay it on its back.
  4. Remember we don't touch the bow hair. Oils from our fingers can damage the hair.
  5. Tighten your bow before you play. Don't tighten too much! The stick of the bow should still curve in toward the hair. Rosin the bow a few swipes but don't overdo it.
  6. When you are done playing, use a soft cloth to wipe the rosin off of your strings.
  7. Always loosen your bow before putting it away.
  8. Be sure to loosen the endpin and push it back in before putting the cello in its case. Remember to tighten the screw when you push in the endpin or it will fall out.
  9. Don't forget to zip up the case before you move your cello.
  10. Keep the cello in the corner of a room, out of the way, so no one will step on it or knock it over!

Bass


  1. Open the case on the floor.
  2. Unscrew the endpin and pull it out to the right height for you and screw it back in tightly. The nut (top of the fingerboard) should be level with your eyebrow when you stand next to the bass.
  3. If you lay the bass down, always lay it on its side. Never lay it on its back.
  4. Remember we don't touch the bow hair. Oils from our fingers can damage the hair.
  5. Tighten your bow before you play. Don't tighten too much! The stick of the bow should still curve in toward the hair. Rosin the bow a few swipes but don't overdo it.
  6. When you are done playing, use a soft cloth to wipe the rosin off of your strings.
  7. Always loosen your bow before putting it away.
  8. Be sure to loosen the endpin and push it back in before putting the bass in its case. Remember to tighten the screw when you push in the endpin or it will fall out.
  9. Don't forget to zip up the case before you move your bass.
  10. Keep the bass in the corner of a room, out of the way, so no one will step on it or knock it over!

Below you will find info on how to tune your instrument. PROCEED WITH CAUTION!

How To Tune Your Instrument