Carrying and Setting Down Your Instrument

Carry your instrument in your right hand with the bridge facing outward or on your back. This insures that your leg does not hit your instrument’s bridge. Be aware of your surroundings! Watch out for narrow spaces and low ceilings - it’s all too easy to wack your scroll or side into a surface out of your sightline.

When setting your instrument down in the case, be sure to place it on the floor away from foot traffic or a sturdy table. Never on a chair or balanced on a small surface! When your instrument is out of the case and you need to put it down, violins and violas can be placed back in the open case. Cellos can be set down on the floor on its side - never on its front, back, or balanced on a chair/in a corner.

Rosin Your Bow, But Not Too Much

Rosin is sticky. It allows your bow to vibrate the strings of your instrument. Without it, the bow would just glide noiselessly across the strings. However, using too much will cause more dust and grime to stick to the hairs, especially at the frog. All you really need before each session, is two or three strokes of rosin.

Clean Your Instrument

On the subject of rosin, I say again. Rosin is STICKY. If the white rosin dust is not cleaned off, dirt and dust will stick to the affected area. Getting buildup removed and your instrument polished can be expensive, so keep your instrument as clean as possible. After each session, use a cloth to wipe off all the rosin dust on your strings and instrument. Don’t forget to clean underneath the overhang of your fingerboard, and your bow stick, too.

Loosen Your Bow When Not in Use

When you tighten your bow, the wood bends under tension. This gives the bow its power, and bounciness. Your bow is like a spring or rubber band. Stretch one out for too long, and it will lose its elasticity. To keep your bow healthy and strong, loosen it before storing it in your case. Remember, lefty loosey, righty tighty.

Store Your Instrument in Room Temperature

Since your instrument is made of wood, it will react to temperature and humidity changes in the environment. Treat it as if it was your baby. Would leave your baby in the car while you go shopping. No! Keep your instrument in a room temperature space.

When In Doubt, Ask Your Luthier

Your local luthier will be more than happy to answer any questions you have on your instrument. Don’t worry, they don’t bite…at least mine doesn’t.