General Care Guidelines

1.  Always treat your instrument with love and respect.

2. Heat and extreme dryness cause cracks. Always store your instrument away from heat and at or above 40% humidity.

3. Never leave your instrument in a car.

4. Avoid touching the bow hair and loosen the bow after playing. 

Always After Playing

1. Wipe the instrument clean with a soft dry cloth. (Now and then you can use some stringed instrument polish if you like.)

2. Loosen the hair before putting the bow away.

3. Below 40% relative humidity you should use a humidifier.  Check the humidifier and add water if needed.  Small humidifiers that can be kept in your case are easy to find at music stores and online.

4. Put the instrument away carefully, and put the case in a safe place.

During Orchestra

1. Put your case in a safe place where nobody will trip over or kick it.

2. Most accidents occur in orchestra.  Never leave a bow or instrument on a chair, music stand, or the floor. Cellos and basses should be placed carefully on their sides and never dragged.

3. Never rush and never let anybody (even a grown-up or teacher) rush you when you are putting your instrument away.  Check the case is fully fastened before you pick it up to prevent your instrument spilling onto the floor.

4. Applaud by tapping your feet lightly on the floor.  Don't tap the music stand with your bow.