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
Advice on cleaning your instrument
Advice on cleaning your instrument
Avoid touching the varnish of your instrument, if at all possible, to help preserve the finish. You should carefully wipe
your instrument with a soft cloth daily after you have finished playing to remove any rosin dust. There are some
commercial products available for this, but a clean soft rag or handkerchief will also work. Also, over time a film or sticky
rosin deposit may develop on your instrument, and you may wish to clean or polish it to restore a shine to its varnish. Do
not clean or polish your instrument with any wax or polishing product such as Pledge or furniture wax. These products
can form a gooey coat that will harm the sound of your instrument and/or damage its varnish. It will also attract rosin
dust! Use only a product designed for stringed instruments. Ask at a violin shop what they use in their shop, and buy
what they use. You may also order good polishes online. Applying a cleaner and then a polish will give the best results.
You may also ask to have your instrument polished if you need to take it in to a shop for repairs.
Similarly, if you notice a crust of rosin on your bow stick, you may wish to clean off this material. However, be extremely
careful not to let any cleaning or polishing agent touch the hair, which will become slick and unplayable in the section
that becomes wet. Always clean your bowstick after tightening your bow, so that the hair is nowhere near the stick.
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
Advice on cleaning your instrument
Advice on cleaning your instrument
Avoid touching the varnish of your instrument, if at all possible, to help preserve the finish. You should carefully wipe
your instrument with a soft cloth daily after you have finished playing to remove any rosin dust. There are some
commercial products available for this, but a clean soft rag or handkerchief will also work. Also, over time a film or sticky
rosin deposit may develop on your instrument, and you may wish to clean or polish it to restore a shine to its varnish. Do
not clean or polish your instrument with any wax or polishing product such as Pledge or furniture wax. These products
can form a gooey coat that will harm the sound of your instrument and/or damage its varnish. It will also attract rosin
dust! Use only a product designed for stringed instruments. Ask at a violin shop what they use in their shop, and buy
what they use. You may also order good polishes online. Applying a cleaner and then a polish will give the best results.
You may also ask to have your instrument polished if you need to take it in to a shop for repairs.
Similarly, if you notice a crust of rosin on your bow stick, you may wish to clean off this material. However, be extremely
careful not to let any cleaning or polishing agent touch the hair, which will become slick and unplayable in the section
that becomes wet. Always clean your bowstick after tightening your bow, so that the hair is nowhere near the stick.
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| Latoya Lamons Director Orchestra Room Voice Mail (703) 799-6225 LCLamonsSloc@fcps.edu |
Carl Sandburg Middle School
Orchestras Alexandria, VA
Orchestras Alexandria, VA
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