How to Care for a Violin

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:CareViolin
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How to Care for a Violin

Introduction

A violin is a beautiful instrument, both in appearance and performance. It is also quite fragile and requires faithful care. The resonance and harmonic qualities can be some of the most beautiful of all instruments, but you must take the time and effort to provide the correct treatment for your violin.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Steps

1

Step One

Keep a soft cloth in your violin case. Every time you play, you must clean the rosin off of your violin. Rosin will eat away the finish and leave it rough-looking.
2

Step Two

Polish your violin regularly. This provides protection and adds a glossy shine to your instrument. Most music stores carry violin polish.
3

Step Three

Buy a violin humidifier. These can be found at most music stores. They consist of a rubber tube with a sponge inside. Fill the sponge by holding under running water and wipe excess water off of the outer tube. Insert it into one of the openings on the face of your violin. These humidifiers come with a humidity gauge and instructions. If the violin becomes too dry it may warp or crack.
4

Step Four

Always loosen the strings of the bow. If always kept tight, they will pull the bow out of line. Wipe the rosin off of the bow before you put it away, every time it is used.
5

Step Five

Protect your instrument from extremes of hot or cold. These too, can damage your violin.
6

Step Six

Put your violin in the case whenever it is not in use. This will protect it from accidental bumps or scrapes. Do the same with the bow.
7

Step Seven

Tune your violin correctly so as not to warp or break the bridge. If the violin has not been played for a while and out of tune, adjust the strings in a way which does not strain one side of the bridge or it will be pulled out of line. For example, tune the two inside strings and then the outside strings or vice versa. Never start at one end and work your way to the other.

Overall Tips & Warnings

  • If you do not take care of your violin and bow the sound of the instrument will suffer.

Overall Things You'll Need

  • Violin
  • Violin humidifier
  • Violin polish
  • Bow
  • Violin case
  • Soft cloth
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