Guitar Lovers

As anyone who’s ever gotten into an argument over a favorite band knows, musical taste is highly subjective. What sounds particularly pleasant to my ear might just come off as dissonance to you. You might defend your favorite pop song by citing its inventive hook, but it might remind me of a dozen songs that came before. Coming to an agreement about music is often just as difficult and impassioned as finding common political or religious ground.

Still, musical theorists agree that there’s something special about the violin. These stringed instruments come closest to imitating the human voice, which strikes a chord in listeners. There’s something primal about the way violins affect us; their strains tend to stand out above other instruments, rendering them largely incidental. This connection between the violin and the human voice was just as apparent in Mozart’s day as it is in the modern age.

Tips on how to take care of your violin:

Avoid Hot Temperatures
Do not store your violin in or near areas that have extreme changes in temperature, such as in the basement or attic. Violins are very fragile instruments, when they are continuously exposed to temperature changes and humidity, it will eventually break and fall apart.

Good Storage Case
When you’re not using your violin, put it inside a good quality case to ensure protection. Most damages a violin undergo is because of the owner’s neglect, such as placing it in areas where it’s more exposed to possibilities of damage, like near the sink or behind a bedroom door.

Rosin
Rosin is applied to the bow hair causing it to grip the violin strings when playing. Without it, the bow hair will slide across the string without producing any sound. There are two types of rosin: Light Rosin is best suited for warm climates. It’s harder and not as sticky as the dark rosin. Dark Rosin is most suited for cool climates, it is softer than the light rosin. Avoid putting too much rosin on the bow as it will drip onto the violin and cause staining.

Quality Strings
Cheap strings will cause tension on the violin resulting in cracks, warping and other damage.

Don’t Ignore Minor Problems
If you notice a slight damage on your violin, don’t wait. Go to an experienced luthier immediately. Most damages that start out little become huge, not only to the violin, but also to your wallet.

Experienced Luthier
If you need repairs for your violin go to an experienced luthier. These people have been trained and are experts in repairing stringed instruments that are either bowed or plucked, including violins. Of course, you must do your research first before going to one. Ask for recommendations from trusted family, friends and music teachers.