Instrument Care Tips

Daily Maintenance:

🎻 Wipe down your instrument – Use a soft cloth to clean rosin dust off the strings and body after each use. Rosin buildup can damage the varnish and affect your sound quality.

 
🎻 Always loosen the bow after practice – Loosening the bow hair when you're done playing helps protect your bow!

🎻 Tune with care– Tune your strings gently to avoid sudden tension changes that could cause a string to snap.  Ask for help if you need it.

 
🎻 Store instruments in cases – Keep your instrument in its case when not in use to protect it from temperature and humidity changes.

Handling & Storage:

🎻 Avoid extreme temperatures – Never leave your instrument in a hot car or near heater vents

🎻 Control humidity – Keep humidity levels between 40-60% (consider buying a device) to prevent cracks in dry/cold weather and swelling Use a humidifier (such as a Dampit) if necessary.

 
🎻 Hold your instrument properly – While fun, try to avoid spinning your instrument around, and definitely avoid hanging violin/viola scrolls off of a music stand. 

Bow & String Care:

🎻 Rosin sparingly – Too much rosin can create a sticky buildup on strings and affect your sound. Apply just enough for a good sound.

🎻 Change your strings regularly – Strings lose their tone and elasticity over time. Replace violin/viola strings every 2-3 months and cello/bass strings every 3-6 months. 

 
🎻 Avoid touching your bow hair – Oil from your fingers will make the hair slippery and affect your sound. 

Long-Term Care:

🎻 Check the bridge & soundpost – Make sure the bridge remains straight/upright. If it tilts, reach out to a luthier. The soundpost should always be intact and properly positioned inside the instrument.

🎻 Get regular check-ups – A professional luthier can check for open seams, soundpost adjustments, and general wear. An annual check-up is ideal.

🎻 Use a good case – A sturdy, padded case with secure latches will protect against accidental drops and environmental changes.