How to Take Care of Your Violin and Viola

Stringed instruments love lots of tender love and care. They will look better and sound lovelier if you give them a little attention before and after you pick your instrument up to play. 

Broken Violin

General Tips

1. Stringed instruments are very sensitive to weather changes. Very dry and hot weather could cause your violin or viola to crack. Try not to leave your instrument in extreme hot or cold weather.
2. Never leave in car by itself for long periods of time. Cars tend to get very hot sitting in the sun and very cold in the winter. Your instrument won’t like being scorched or frozen!
3. Humidity is how much moisture is in the air. Your instrument likes to have the right level of humidity. There are several ways to maintain a steady humidity level. The easiest way is to use a humidifier that stays in your case or in your violin/viola.
4. Put your instrument away in its case when you are not playing it so it doesn't get bumped, dropped, or stepped on. 

Sunny Car Ride

Snow Covered Car

Violin Humidifier

Violin/Viola

1. Before you play, take a quick glance over your violin/viola to make sure everything is looking great before you play. Check to make sure the bridge is standing straight. Ask your teacher if you don’t know what it should look like or if you don’t know how to adjust it. Tune your instrument and make sure the pegs are doing their job properly. Change your strings every 6-12 months or as needed.
2. When you are done playing, remove the shoulder rest or rubber band and sponge and put it away.
3. Dust all the rosin off the violin, strings, and fingerboard. Rosin can ruin the finish of your violin and fingerboard and will eventually cake on so thick, your bow will skid on top of the strings.

Dusting the Violin

Dusting the Bow

Bow

1. Dust the bow stick after you are done playing. Try not to let anything touch to bow hairs.
2. Loosen your bow after using. Leaving it tightened all the time will cause the bow to warp.

 
Doing these few simple things at the beginning and end of your practice time will keep your stringed instrument in wonderful condition!