Instrument Care

CARING FOR YOUR INSTRUMENT

In order for our instruments to sound their best, we must take good care of them! Keeping your instrument in good condition is not difficult if it becomes a habit.


Never, Never, Never...

PLEASE, PLEASE do not try to fix a broken instrument at home. String repairs can look incredibly bad and it can be embarrassing to come to me to fix it. Most of the time, however, I can fix it!!

-NEVER leave your instrument in the car where it gets incredibly cold or hot. This is a recipe for disaster!

-NEVER touch the bow hair.

-NEVER take your instrument out on the bus... bumps happen and friends want to try it out...

-NEVER try to fix an instrument that broke. Most things are not glued and when you try to fix it, it makes it more difficult for me to fix it properly.


Always, Always, Always...

-ALWAYS open your case on the floor.

-ALWAYS keep your bow on the music stand, your lap or in the case when not in use.

-ALWAYS wipe the extra rosin off your strings when you are finished playing

-ALWAYS loosen your bow before you put it away.

-ALWAYS put your instrument back in its case when you are finished playing.


Let's Get Started!!

Violin and Viola

  1. Open your case on a table or the floor, be careful when opening the case.

  2. Place the sponge under the rubber band

  3. Remember we don't touch the bow hair. Oils from our fingers can damage the hair.

  4. Tighten your bow before you play. 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 it's side. Never lay it on it's 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. 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

  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 it's side. Never lay it on it's 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. 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

  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!