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GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR INSTRUMENT CARE
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As a general rule of thumb, treat the instrument
as a person. What is uncomfortable for you is also uncomfortable for it.
This means that leaving the instrument in the car for any period of time,
winter or summer, can be very fatal for the instrument. In the winter time,
due to the extreme cold, the instrument could easily crack, and in the summer
time, due to the heat, the instrument's varnish can quickly melt or the
glue holding the instrument together can soften and lose its adhesive properties.
Any drastic change in temperature from cold to hot or vice versa can also
lead to extensive damage |
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Inside violin family instruments, there is a small wooden
stick called the soundpost. The soundpost is designed to help transfer vibrations
from the bridge and top to the back of the instrument. For laminated instruments,
it also serves a secondary purpose of keeping the tension applied to the
top of the instrument from the strings and bridge from crushing the top
of the instrument. If the soundpost falls, it is important that the strings
be loosened immediately to prevent any damage to the top of the instrument.
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· Humidity also plays a role
in the instruments well being. When traveling to arid or dry climates, moisture
should be given to the instrument by means of a humidifier to prevent the
wood from Shrinking and cracking. Humidifying the instrument on a regular
basis is only necessary if living in an area with low humidity levels. |
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· Each time the instrument
is played, the excess rosin left from the bow should be removed with a soft
cleaning cloth. If rosin is not removed from the surface of the instrument,
it can become imbedded in the varnish and interfere with the vibrations
in the top of the instrument, thus adversely affecting tone. It is also
unattractive. Using most household cleaners will destroy your instruments
varnish. We only recommend Simple GreenÒ. Never use a furniture polish
on your instrument. Furniture polishes usually contain lemon oil and/or
silicone which can damage an instrument's varnish |
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Periodically, strings will need to be replaced.
Strings need replacing when they become false, begin to unwind, or break.
Consult you teacher if you are not able to distinguish if a string is false.
As a beginner, it is best to let the teacher tune the instrument; it is
very easy for a less experienced player to break strings. When ordering
replacement strings, it is helpful for the customer to know what brand of
string is preferred along with which specific string is needed. |
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When tuning, it is important to check the bridge
for any warping that has occurred due to the tension of the strings pulling
it back and forth. If the bridge is warped, it should be replaced. Ideally
the back of the bridge should form a 90° angle with the top of the instrument.
If it does not, take it to your teacher or the violin shop and have it adjusted. |
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·Refrain from directly touching the bow
hair. Dirt and oils on the hands damage the playability of bow hair and
increase the frequency at which your bow will need to be rehaired. It is
best to wash your hands before you play your instrument to avoid the transmission
of oil and dirt from the hand of the player to the strings, instrument,
and bow.
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It is very important to loosen the hair of the bow when it is not in
use. Leaving the bow's hair tight can warp or break the stick, and in
some cases make the bow unrepairable. It can also stretch the hair making
it very difficult to tighten for normal playing conditions.
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