CARE & MAINTENANCE
Strings
Fresh strings make the violin sound resonant, vibrant and in tune. Over time, strings go dull, false and might even unravel. Never let your strings have a birthday!
FAQs
How often should I change my strings?
That depends on how much you play.
Generally, if you play:
30 min. per day - once annually for G,D and A; every 6 months for E string.
45-60 min. per day - once every 8-9 months; sooner for E string.
90+ min. per day - once every 4-6 months; sooner for E string
How do I put on a new string?
What kind of strings should I buy?
For 1/16-1/8 size violins - Dominant, Alphayue, Helicore, Piranito
For 1/4-3/4 size violins - Dominant, Evah Pirazzi, Crystal, Violino, Alphayue, Helicore
For Full size violins - Dominant, Cantiga, Crystal, Evah Pirazzi and many others!
A word about Dominants:
They are the world's most popular violin string. If you want an easy choice and money is not a factor, get Dominants. They were the first synthetic core string (in the 80's), yet sound similar to a warm, gut string. Synthetic core strings are resistant to temperature and humidity changes, which is good for Canada or anywhere where the weather fluctuates. Dominants sound nice on a large number of instruments and are long-lasting. However, they are not cheap. Many other beautiful synthetic core strings have come out since the Dominants first appeared. If you would like your instrument to sound brighter or darker, more powerful or less powerful, or simply want a less expensive string, see the other options below.
N.B. If you have a full-size violin, always exchange the Dominant E string for another brand of E, as they are notoriously problematic. Pirastro Gold Label E or Goldbrokat E are popular substitutes.
Individual violins will react differently to strings, so what sounds great on your violin may not work well on someone else's.
General descriptive qualities:
(Jan. 2018 prices from The Sound Post unless otherwise noted)
EVAH PIRAZZI
$55-$98
Warm, very powerful, easy reaction, wide dynamic range, not as long-lasting.
DOMINANT
$75-$80
Warm, full, in middle between bright and dark, rich colors, long-lasting.
VIOLINO
$62
Warm, focused, softer sound. Mellows new, student instruments that have too much edge.
CANTIGA
$58
Warm, quick reaction, rich colors, powerful, long-lasting.
HELICORE
$45-$55 (at Long & McQuade)
Warmer steel string, colorful.
ALPHAYUE
$39
Good dynamic range, balanced, good student quality string.
PIRANITO
$35
Bright, all-steel strings, work best on small violins.
CRYSTAL
$33
Warm, quick reaction, sound similar to Dominants but do not last as long. Excellent price for the quality.
*Fractional size strings available from U.S. dealers.
GOLD LABEL 'E'
$6
Brilliant E string that works on many violins.
GOLDBROKAT 'E'
$2
Sweet, warm singing E string.
Bow
Beautiful tone and bow control is one of the most difficult things for a string player to master. It is a lengthy process (it takes about a decade to truly master all the bow techniques). Maintaining a bow that is in good, working condition requires regular bow re-hairs. There are tiny bumps along the length of each hair that grip the strings when we play. They wear down flat with use. The bow hair becomes slippery, therefore harder to control and obtain big, clean tone. All the time and effort we put into trying to bow straight with even, beautiful tone, is compromised if the bow hair needs rehairing.
FAQs
How often should I get my bow rehaired?
That depends on how much you play.
Generally, if you play:
30 min. per day - once every 1-2 years
45-60 min. per day - once annually
90+ min. per day - once every 9 months
Where should I take my bow to get rehaired?
It is very important to take your bow to a professional violin shop specialist. Do not take it to a guitar shop or general music supply.
Should I get regular or premium hair?
Regular hair is fine. The cost is approximately $60.
Rosin
Rosin is baked tree sap. We put it on the bow twice per week, in order to maintain good grip and control. There are many violin rosins. Most are so similar, it doesn't matter which one you buy. An exception would be hypo-allergenic rosin. If your child sneezes or gets puffy eyes every time she puts fresh rosin on her bow, it might be a sign that a hypo-allergenic rosin is needed. Small children tend to have an easier time using the little rosins secured in wooden frames, rather than the ones wrapped in soft material.
Keeping bow hair clean:
Never touch the hair with your fingers or hands! The oils, sweat and possible dirt on our hands will make the bow slippery. If a student touches the hair a lot, it can even take the sound away in spots along the bow.
Violin
Handle your violin like you would a baby. They are fragile. A violin can last for centuries, however, if cared for properly. Weather fluctuations in Canada are hard on stringed instruments. If you take some simple precautions, you should not need much in the way of maintenance.
FAQs
Should I clean my violin?
Yes. Wipe it down once per week with a clean, non-abrasive cloth to remove rosin dust and dirt. Avoid using any liquid violin cleaners or polish. It is better to leave that to the professionals.
My violin suddenly sounds funny. Is there something wrong with it?
There could be an open seam. This is a routine and inexpensive repair, but must be done by a professional, violin shop specialist.
It could also simply be a temporary reaction to a change in weather. Wait a week. If it is still there or gets worse, take it in to be looked at.
Should I leave my violin out at home, or in the case?
Generally, it is best to keep the violin protected in its case when not in use. However, for some students, having to unpack and pack up each day is enough of a chore that it can mean the difference between daily playing or not. If that is the case with your child, find a safe place where it cannot be reached by younger siblings or pets. It will be more exposed to dust and to humidity changes, so expect a little more cleaning and maintenance.
Should I wash my hands before I play?
Yes! The sweat, oils and dirt on our hands can make the violin sticky and grimy. The strings will last longer if our hands are clean when we play. For intermediate-advanced students, having sticky fingers can also make it harder to do shifting and glissandos.