Looking
After Your Violin
If your violin is not sounding well, have it adjusted. Check first
if the strings need changing. When changing them don't take off more
than one string at a time.
Check regularly that the bridge is kept upright. (Not leaning towards
the scroll) especially when changing the strings.
Another cause of loss of volume is a bow that is either weak or warped.
(Close one eye and look down the stick. If it curves to the right,
have it straightened.)
- Keep
your violin in its case overnight and when it is not in use.
- Keep
it away from strong sunlight and radiators.
- Don't
keep it in a damp or very dry room.
- Wipe
off the rosin every day with a clean yellow duster that is kept
with the instrument and not used for anything else. Replace the
duster every three months (washing doesn't remove all the rosin).
- Never
use domestic polish - cleaning is best left to the experts who
have their own secret formulas.
- Take
your violin for a check-up at least once every year.
Every
old violin sold is fully restored and refitted. After this the fine
tuning and tonal adjustment begins. It can include trying different
models of bridge, different strings and positions of the soundpost.
Finding the natural voice of a violin can be a lengthy process because
each piece of wood has different qualities. Further testing and
adjusting is done in large rooms with different acoustics.
Only then is the violin offered to a player. Great care is taken
in matching players and instruments (violin, viola and cello). Relevant
factors are size of instrument and character of sound required -
alongside any limitations of budget!
|