Is your instrument healthy and safe?

         

Taking care of the instruments

by Ms Ryoko

The instruments are delicate and valuable, and becomes something really a personal  over the time we use them.

I recently found that some string students do not have a routine of putting away their instruments into the case after daily home practicing – keeping on the shelf, in the drawer, or hanging on the wall without the case. This is very dangerous to the instrument’s condition and value. IT IS  PART OF PRACTICING TO TAKE OUT AND PUT AWAY THEIR INSTRUMENTS BEFORE AND AFTER PRACTICING! Please once again make sure to help your child(ren) to understand the importance of the case in order to build up a good habit in taking care of the instrument.

Steps of getting the instrument:

BEFORE

• wash and dry your hands properly
• if playing a stringed instrument, put the case in the safe place in the practice area: it should be flat on the floor before opening
• open the case or piano lid and get ready
• tighten the bow only the proper amount.  There should still be a curve going TOWARD the horsehairs after the bow is tightened
• use good quality rosin to rosin the bow
• for violin or viola, place the instrument upside down in your lap to put on the shoulder pad. This will keep the bridge safe.
  • Did you know that the bridge is ONLY held in place by the tension in your strings?!?!

AFTER

• Loosen the bow hair and clean the instrument (including the strings) gently with a cloth
• put the instrument back to the case and zip properly
• keep it in a safe place.
  • • where it cannot fall
    • where no one and nothing can fall on it
    • where the temperature and humidity stay the most consistent
      • • NOT:  by the door
          • •  by the window
            •  under the air con
• for the piano, cover the piano keys with the cloth, and close the lid gently

Keeping the string instrument in the case can protect it from getting damaged by humidity/dryness and temperature changes as well as getting hit by other objects/people. It is already dangerous enough to walk around with the instrument or putting it on the sofa where other family members are around, so keeping it without the case all the time is simply unacceptable. We understand that we have to take the violin out from the case on occasion before group class/chamber music/orchestra and at the concert venue because of the limited space, however, this is an exceptional situation where the students need to pay extra attention carrying the instruments.

We all know that the instrument is not a toy. Keeping the instrument in a good condition can help keeping a good value of it, and most importantly, we would like our students and parents to appreciate and be grateful for what they have. Just like many other personal belongings which should be taken care of nicely with respect, taking a good care of the instrument can definitely teach your child(ren) a great lesson.

We know many of you are already aware of the things above, however, please have a chat with your child(ren) about it and keep eyes on where the instruments are while they are practicing and while they are NOT practicing. It is very easy to get used to what we have and forget about the importance of having the instruments in our lives.

Thank you for your continuous support and attention.