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
Other instrument adjustments
Your instrument may need other adjustments. The wooden dowel inside your instrument that is force-fitted between the
top and bottom of the instrument, near the right foot of the bridge can be moved out of alignment. This is the sound post
and its placement affects the strength and quality of your instrument's sound and the balance between strings. If the
instrument is seriously jarred, the sound post can be moved out of alignment. Also, as the seasons change and your
instrument expands and contracts, your sound post may need to be realigned. Do not attempt to make these
adjustments yourself. Take your instrument to a violin shop, and work with a trained technician to make this adjustment.
You will need to try out your instrument after the adjustment. It can take several tries to get the balance between strings,
the resonance, and the brightness of the sound just the way you want it.
If the soundpost becomes completely dislodged and rattles around inside your instrument, immediately loosen your
strings and take the instrument to a luthier to have the soundpost reseated. If you do not loosen the strings, the tension
of the strings may push the unspupported bridge through the top of your instrument and result in a nasty and expensive
repair.
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
Other instrument adjustments
Your instrument may need other adjustments. The wooden dowel inside your instrument that is force-fitted between the
top and bottom of the instrument, near the right foot of the bridge can be moved out of alignment. This is the sound post
and its placement affects the strength and quality of your instrument's sound and the balance between strings. If the
instrument is seriously jarred, the sound post can be moved out of alignment. Also, as the seasons change and your
instrument expands and contracts, your sound post may need to be realigned. Do not attempt to make these
adjustments yourself. Take your instrument to a violin shop, and work with a trained technician to make this adjustment.
You will need to try out your instrument after the adjustment. It can take several tries to get the balance between strings,
the resonance, and the brightness of the sound just the way you want it.
If the soundpost becomes completely dislodged and rattles around inside your instrument, immediately loosen your
strings and take the instrument to a luthier to have the soundpost reseated. If you do not loosen the strings, the tension
of the strings may push the unspupported bridge through the top of your instrument and result in a nasty and expensive
repair.
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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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| © 2009-2012 The Carl Sandburg Orchestra Boosters |
