Congratulations and thank you for renting your instrument from Day Violins! We’re so excited to have another string instrument musician in our musical community! It is just as important to us as it is to you that your instrument remains in the best condition possible. A damaged instrument will not play as easily or as beautifully as an instrument that has been cared for! Repairs can be very costly too.
So, to help make sure you have the best experience with your instrument, we’ve put together this “everything you need to know” guide. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you might have!
Instrument care before playing
Questions you should ask yourself before playing…
- Are my hands clean?
- Am I in a safe place? Always keep your instrument in its case when not in use. Store it in a safe place, away from younger siblings and pets. Never leave your instrument in a “high traffic” area.
- Is my bow tightened?
- Is there enough rosin on my bow?
- Is my instrument properly tuned? If you have not been trained to tune your instrument let your teacher help you! Improper tuning is the #1 cause of broken strings.
- Did I check the bridge? Each time you play, check the bridge! As the instrument is tuned, the strings tend to pull the top of the bridge towards the fingerboard. If the bridge tilts too much, it may fall over. This can break the bridge, or even crack the top of the instrument and cause costly repair work. If your bridge tilts for any reason contact Day Violins so we can make or help you make the proper adjustment.
Instrument care after playing
Questions you should ask yourself before putting your instrument away…
- Did I loosen my bow?
- Is all the rosin cleaned off the instrument with a soft cloth? Every time you finish playing, remove rosin and hand oils from the instrument with a soft cloth. Don’t let rosin build up on your instrument. It is difficult to remove if you let it sit for any length of time.
- Have I cleaned the strings? Strings will last twice as long if you wipe them down each time after playing. This also helps to keep the fingerboard clean.
- Have I removed the shoulder rest/sponge from the violin/viola?
- Is my instrument put properly into the case? If you have to put your instrument down for any reason while practicing or playing, place it carefully back into its case, or if that is not possible, place it on its side in a safe place. Never leave your instrument laying flat on the floor.
- Is my bow put away carefully?
- Are the accessories—rosin, chin-rest—put away properly?
- Did I store my instrument in a safe, humidified spot? Avoid rapid temperature changes or temperature extremes. A good rule of thumb is never to leave your instrument where you would not like to be yourself. Always avoid excessive heat, cold, wet, or dry!
Download these questions in checklist form here!
Remember! You are responsible for loss or damage to the instrument not caused by normal wear and tear. If you enroll in the “Strings to Scroll” Maintenance Program, you are protected against all loss or damage not attributed to intentional or negligent actions.
