Instrument Care
Humidity/ temperature change steps you should take to protect your instrument
String basics and how often to replace them
Bow basics and hair replacement
The instrument bridge and proper care and alignment
The fingerboard-dirt, arch protectors, and maintenance of it
Problem solving a pesky peg
Fine tuner adjustment
Other instrument adjustments
Structural damage from changes in humidity and temperature
Repairing open seams because of instrument expansion and contraction
Advise on cleaning your instrument
The instrument bridge and proper care and alignment
Proper alignment of the bridge is important to get the best sound out of your instrument. Looking at the top of your
instrument, the bridge should be parallel to the end of your fingerboard -- otherwise you won't be able to play in tune
and should be placed on or near an imaginary line that runs between the notches in the f-holes of your instrument. The
strings should also be centered over the fingerboard and not skewed to the left or right.
When you look at your instrument from the side, the face of the bridge that faces the bottom end of your instrument
should form a right angle with the body of the instrument. Also, the bridge should not have any curves in it and should
not tip in one direction or the other. Also look to see if the feet of the bridge have a gap on one side, which will prevent it
from transmitting sound to the instrument properly. The bridge will often be tipped after you have changed strings. A
tipped bridge may warp over time (have a curve) and will need to be replaced.
Depending on the season, the distance between the strings and the fingerboard may change, making it more difficult to
play the instrument in the summer. Some players have a summer and a winter bridge, but this is not always necessary.
Because of the size of a bass and the large changes that often take place in this distance, these instruments are often
set up with a bridge whose height can be adjusted with built in screws. You should ask your teacher or a luthier who
specializes in basses to help you with this adjustment, if necessary.
If your bridge is out of alignment, ask your teacher for assistance. You should, however, go to a violin shop for expert
adjustments to your bridge or to have a new bridge cut.
Humidity/ temperature change steps you should take to protect your instrument
String basics and how often to replace them
Bow basics and hair replacement
The instrument bridge and proper care and alignment
The fingerboard-dirt, arch protectors, and maintenance of it
Problem solving a pesky peg
Fine tuner adjustment
Other instrument adjustments
Structural damage from changes in humidity and temperature
Repairing open seams because of instrument expansion and contraction
Advise on cleaning your instrument
The instrument bridge and proper care and alignment
Proper alignment of the bridge is important to get the best sound out of your instrument. Looking at the top of your
instrument, the bridge should be parallel to the end of your fingerboard -- otherwise you won't be able to play in tune
and should be placed on or near an imaginary line that runs between the notches in the f-holes of your instrument. The
strings should also be centered over the fingerboard and not skewed to the left or right.
When you look at your instrument from the side, the face of the bridge that faces the bottom end of your instrument
should form a right angle with the body of the instrument. Also, the bridge should not have any curves in it and should
not tip in one direction or the other. Also look to see if the feet of the bridge have a gap on one side, which will prevent it
from transmitting sound to the instrument properly. The bridge will often be tipped after you have changed strings. A
tipped bridge may warp over time (have a curve) and will need to be replaced.
Depending on the season, the distance between the strings and the fingerboard may change, making it more difficult to
play the instrument in the summer. Some players have a summer and a winter bridge, but this is not always necessary.
Because of the size of a bass and the large changes that often take place in this distance, these instruments are often
set up with a bridge whose height can be adjusted with built in screws. You should ask your teacher or a luthier who
specializes in basses to help you with this adjustment, if necessary.
If your bridge is out of alignment, ask your teacher for assistance. You should, however, go to a violin shop for expert
adjustments to your bridge or to have a new bridge cut.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Latoya Lamons Director Orchestra Room Voice Mail (703) 799-6225 LCLamonsSloc@fcps.edu |
Carl Sandburg Middle School
Orchestras Alexandria, VA
Orchestras Alexandria, VA
 |  |  |  |  |
| © 2009-2012 The Carl Sandburg Orchestra Boosters |
