Carrying and Setting Down Your Instrument

Carry your instrument in your right hand or on your back with the bridge facing outward. This insures that your instrument’s bridge does not get hit.

Be aware of your surroundings! Watch out for narrow spaces and low ceilings - it’s all too easy to hit 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, causing a harsh tone. In general, a few strokes of rosin before a playing session will do the trick.

Clean Your Instrument

If the white rosin dust is not cleaned off your instrument and bow stick regularly, dirt and dust will stick to the affected areas. After each session, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe off all the rosin dust on your strings and instrument, (especially underneath the overhang of your fingerboard), and your bow stick.

If rosin build up occurs, bring your instrument into the shop to get a professional cleaning. Attempting this at home could lead to permanent varnish damage, so let the experts do this part!

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 Safely

Since your instrument is made of wood, it will react to temperature and humidity changes in the environment. The best place to store your stringed instrument is in a room temperature environment away from foot traffic.

Do not store it next to a sunny window or near a heater. This can drastically de-tune your strings, cause cracks, permanently damage your instrument's varnish, etc.

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR INSTRUMENT IN THE CAR - theft or permanent damage can happen much too easily. Protect your instrument by keeping it safely with you or leaving it at home.

When In Doubt, Ask Your Luthier

Your local luthier (hopefully that is us at JJS Violins!) will be more than happy to answer any questions you have about your instrument. Call or stop by the shop, we are always happy to help!