Care and Maintenance of Your Instrument

Regardless of whether you are renting an instrument from us or using a personal or school instrument it’s normal to feel concerned about maintaining the good condition you received it in. Here are some guidelines to help you along the way.

Keeping your instrument clean

Even if your instrument is in a case, normal playing of it will leave fingerprints and rosin on the instrument. You can clean these off of your instrument with a microfiber cloth or even a tight cotton knit material (such as a well washed T-Shirt).

Make sure the cloth is regularly changed or cleaned; if not you will easily rub old dirt and rosin onto the instrument instead of cleaning it. If done regularly with a clean cloth, you shouldn’t need to use any cleaners or polishes on the instrument. A few moments of your time on a regular basis is all you should need.

Store your instrument properly

Your instrument should come with a case to store it in. Not only does this help reduce any surface or structural damage to the instrument but it also can help maintain a stable humidity level for your instrument. Here in Southern Oregon we have a dry climate. For advice on how to combat this issue please contact us.

If the instrument will be stored outside of the case here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Do not keep the instrument near any unstable heating or cooling. An air-conditioning unit, fireplace, or frequently opened window can cause lasting damage to the instrument if not monitored frequently.
2. If the instrument must be stored outside the case, make sure that it’s secured to a stand or on a wall hanger. If possible keep a houseplant near the instrument. Houseplants can help to create a more stable humid environment, and as a side effect, also help beautify your practice area.

Bow care

Your bow should be tightened before you play with it. When you are finished playing, before you store it in the case, always loosen the bow hair to avoid the stick warping or snapping under pressure. If the screw on your bow won’t tighten, never force it. There are various reasons for this and it’s safest to bring it to a skilled luthier who can assess the problem before it causes long term damage.

Never touch the horsehair on your bow, as oils from your skin will stay on the hair and take away its ability to grab the strings. For this reason, also avoid touching the strings between the end of the fingerboard and the bridge, where the bow makes contact with the strings.

A bow should generally have the hair on it cleaned at least once a year, and the hair itself replaced every 2-3 years, depending on its wear and playability. Musicians who play more frequently may find they prefer having more regular bow rehairs as it can add to the vibrancy of the bow.

Tuning your instrument

For a more detailed introduction to tuning your instrument please visit us in person for a complimentary tutorial. Some general tips are as follows:

Always be cautious when tuning with pegs instead of fine tuners. Most bowed instrument pegs are tapered and friction fit – not mechanical – so tuning them can involve a learning curve. We recommend either downloading a tuning app (there are many free versions available) or investing in a digital chromatic tuner.

Bow or pluck the string while tuning, making sure you do not turn the peg unless the string is sounding.

Never force your pegs. Lightly loosen the peg by tuning down (flat) first, and then gradually turning the peg upwards (sharp) while plucking or bowing the string to monitor the changes.This can help you avoid breaking strings by over-tuning the instrument.