Is your child losing interest in making music? Or do you feel like you’re stuck in a rut while practicing? The reasons for this can be diverse, but one of the most important is the condition of your instrument.
Some problems are obvious: broken strings, a worn bow screw, crooked bridge. However, there are also hidden issues that gradually affect sound quality and playability. These problems, barely noticeable at first glance, can lead to discomfort while playing, deteriorating technique, and even pain in hands, neck, or back. Practice motivation suffers as a result,
and last but not least, these deficiencies negatively affect the condition of the instrument itself.
Possible causes for instrument problems:
These are the most common causes:
The natural aging of instruments and accessories
With regular use, instruments and their accessories naturally age over time, which can affect both sound quality and playing comfort..
● Strings: Even if they haven’t broken, they wear out over time, which significantly affects sound quality, volume, and intonation. Regular string changes are essential for optimal sound.
● Bow hair: Old bow hair no longer provides optimal contact with the string. This can lead to unconsciously adapting your playing technique to accommodate the bow’s condition, for example, pressing with the right hand. Regular replacement of bow hair prevents this problem.
Rosin: Over time, rosin ages and crumbles while playing onto the instrument. This creates unwanted noise and leaves dust deposits on the surface. Fresh rosin and regular instrument cleaning help maintain purity and sound quality.
● Other parts: Pegs, bridge, soundpost, fingerboard, tailpiece, bow, and other elements wear out over time and need to be repaired or replaced. If these problems are ignored, they can significantly affect sound and playability – even in high-quality instruments.
Improper storage
Proper storage is crucial – incorrect conditions can lead to deformation and damage to the instrument.
● Storage without case: An unprotected instrument is vulnerable to physical damage and environmental influences.
● Direct sunlight: Sunlight can lead to discoloration and deformation, in the worst case cracks in the wood.
● Heating: Storage near heat sources or near floor heating can lead to wood drying out as well as formation of cracks in the wood.
● Humidity: Too high or too low humidity damages the instrument wood. The optimal humidity is 40-60%. A hygrometer helps with monitoring.
● Inadequate instrument case: A low-quality or an incorrect size of a case doesn’t provide adequate protection against humidity and temperature fluctuations.
● Tightened bow hair: If the bow is stored with tightened hair, especially during humidity fluctuations, this can lead to wood cracks.
Poor initial choice of instrument
Sometimes it only becomes apparent after a longer period that the chosen instrument or accessories are not optimal. Even if you’ve been playing with it for months or years, original poor decisions can negatively affect playing comfort and learning progress.
● Size: An instrument that’s too large or too small leads to discomfort and incorrect technique.
● Scale length: An unsuitable scale length makes intonation and playing difficult.
● Bow: If the bow doesn’t fit well in the hand or doesn’t match the instrument, this can affect sound quality and playing comfort.
● Accessories: Unsuitable accessories like chin rest, endpin, or shoulder rest can lead to discomfort and incorrect playing posture.
Natural physical changes
When physical conditions change, the instrument may need to be adjusted or changed. This applies to both children and adults:
● Child growth: With growth, switching to a larger instrument may become necessary.
● Changes in adults: Physical changes due to injuries or work-related posture (e.g., sitting or standing with viola and violin) as well as age-related changes may require adjustment of instrument or playing technique.
What can you do?
● Regular check: Have your instrument regularly checked by us
● Regular maintenance and repairs: Having your instrument adjusted and repaired when needed helps maintain its optimal sound.
● Replace and maintain accessories: High quality strings, regular bow hair change, as well as high-quality rosin and other components can significantly increase playing comfort and enjoyment.
Remember: A high-quality instrument is not just a tool for sound production but also a source of inspiration. By maintaining its condition, you preserve the joy of music and promote your own or your child’s musical development.
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