A Beginner's Guide to String Instrument Care

For many parents, a child starting a musical instrument is exciting and scary all at the same time. I will not go into the benefits of playing an instrument, but there are many. We have high hopes for beginners, and we want to support them. We wonder if they will stick with it, and we encourage them to keep playing. One of the major steps is obtaining an instrument. whether buying or renting, many experience sticker shock with price tags of hundreds of dollars. Many parents wonder how this delicate and expensive thing will survive their child using it, taking it to school, and maintaining it. String instruments are generally pretty low maintenance if kept well. Here are a few tips to avoid expensive repair bills, and keep your new string instrument playing well.

Anyone with questions about instrument maintenance may contact me through my website. My current customers are encouraged to email or call me any time.

1. Keep it in the case

The instrument's case is the best place for it when it's not being used. Cases protect instruments from dirt, scratches, dings, and other minor or major calamities. Instruments and bows have met their demise laying on a couch or bed. The weight of a human sitting down is way more than any string instrument can handle.

Also don't let pets lay in or sleep in the case. For some reason pets love cases. I don't know why. If you have a rental, there's a pretty good chance someone else will use that case in the future. Most people don't want other people's pet hair in a case. Plus it's hard to remove. If you are renting, pet hair may incur a cleaning bill depending on the shop you rent from.

2. Keep the bow loose

Countless bows are needlessly ruined by students leaving them tight for long periods of time. With the tip pointing to your left, turn the nut towards you, and the hair will loosen. Loosen enough that the ribbon starts to look a bit loose, but don't turn too far that the screw comes out and the frog falls off! Hair always left tight will straighten the stick out of its graceful curve and springiness.

3. Keep it comfortable

If you are comfortable, your instrument is comfortable. It's that simple. In the winter time, humidification may be necessary. You can humidify a case by poking a few pin holes in a small zip lock bag, and placing a slightly damp paper towel in the bag. It should not be dripping wet, but just slightly moist. The paper towel in the bag may be placed in some cavity of the case. When it dries, wet it again. The dryness will attack the paper towel instead of the valuable wooden pieces in the case. You can also buy specialized case humidifiers that work much like the DIY contraption of a paper towel in a bag. Keeping tabs on the temperature is also good, but extreme dryness is by far the most harmful. Even though humidity is more important than temperature, extreme heat or cold can also be damaging.

3.5. Don't leave it in a car

The inside of a car on a summer day can hit 120-130 Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes. Even on a lovely fall or spring day, the inside of a car can get quite hot very fast. That heat can bubble the varnish, melt the glues, crack the wood, and pretty much ruin an instrument. Some insurance policies will not even cover this type of damage. Extreme cold is not good, because it can cause condensation, which weakens wood, and dissolves glue.

Bottom line: Aim for keeping your instrument between 65 and 75 Fahrenheit. Humidity should never go lower than 40% or higher than 60%. 50% is just right. Temperatures as low as 60 or as high as 80 will not hurt as long as the humidity is good.

4. Keep it adjusted

Anyone who has spent much time in orchestras has heard an ugly snap. That is usually a bridge falling. As instruments are tuned and used, the bridge can start to lean forward. When it gets beyond a certain point, it goes down. When this happens, the down force from the fall can dent or crack the top of the instrument, the string tension can knock the fingerboard off, the bridge itself can break, and the sound post can fall. Sometimes these things don't happen, but when they do, we're talking $$$--either a little or a lot. A good luthier will adjust the instrument regularly free of charge to prevent these things. Attempting bridge adjustments yourself can be dangerous, so it is not advised.

My customers are always welcome to come for a check up. I can solve many small issues very quickly before they become big ones. It's also nice for me to build a relationship with my customers and be a part a young player's musical journey.

5. Keep it clean

Last but not least, keeping the instrument clean is one of the best things you can do for it. Rosin, skin oils, and sweat are facts of life in the string world. These things will eventually harm the instrument if not removed regularly. A piece of a cotton t-shirt, a piece of terry cloth, or a microfiber towel work just fine to wipe off the nasty things from the instrument. Also, wash your hands before handling your instrument, especially if you've just eaten or gotten your hands dirty. Sugary glazes belong on donuts, not instruments. Luthiers hate cleaning things like this off of instruments. Even though I don't like dirty instruments, I don't mind a bit of hazy rosin residue after months of playing. It shows you've been using the instrument!