In order to keep your instrument in playing shape, there are a handful of habits to get into. These quick cleaning and maintenance tasks will not only improve the appearance of your instrument but will also extend the life of your strings and enhance its sound quality.

Daily Maintenance 
Before Playing
• Wash your hands before playing to prevent sweat and oil from damaging the finish
• Tune your instrument. (If you have fine tuners, periodically back them out when they get low so you don't over-tighten them, which can break a string.)
After Playing
• Wipe down your instrument after playing with a soft, clean cloth
• Loosen the bow (to prevent the hair from over-tightening and stretching)
• Remove rosin dust from strings 
• Keep your instrument stored in a case when not in use
*DO NOT use acetone, alcohol, or any other cleaning chemicals as they can easily damage the varnish. If stubborn dirt doesn't wipe away with a dry cloth, you can spot-treat with a damp cloth. We sell violin polish to use as a last resort. 

Weekly
• Check the strings for signs of wear, such as unraveling or tarnish
• Check the bridge to ensure it's straight and upright

Quarterly
• Check and replace worn or missing parts on the instrument and accessories, such as fine tuner screws, broken rosin, case parts, etc.

If you ever notice damage (cracks or chips, broken pieces, fallen sound post, etc.) don't hesitate to bring your instrument to a repair shop to get fixed. If your instrument falls or breaks in a dramatic way, try not to stress. Instruments often break in predictable ways, so the damage is usually repairable. So if the bridge breaks, or the fingerboard falls off, or a seam opens up on the side of the instrument, our skilled luthier can repair it and get you back playing again quickly. (Bonus: Most of these types of repairs are covered under our rental warranty, so there is no charge to you!)

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to tuning your Violin, Viola, or Cello.
(see note below for bass)

Before you begin, Get a tuner. Use a clip-on tuner, a tuning app, or an electronic tuner to help you find the correct pitch for each string. It is VERY easy to over-tension a string and break it, so don’t rely on your ear—always use a tuner.

Tuning strings:
The process is the same for each peg. Turn the tuning peg up towards the scroll slowly to raise the pitch if it's too low, or down to lower the pitch if it's too high. Push in to the pegbox as you turn to hold the peg in place.
Check the tuner. The goal is to get the tuner to read exactly G (or close to it). If you are close, you can use your fine tuners to dial it in exactly on the pitch. 

Tuning pitches for each instrument (From thickest to thinnest).
Violin:  G - D - A - E
Viola:  C - G - D - A
Cello:  C - G - D - A
Bass:  E - A - D - G

1. Start with the thickest string and get it perfectly in-tune before moving on. 

2. Move to the next thickest string. Use the tuning peg again to adjust the pitch.

3. Tune the next thinnest string. Adjust using the tuning peg until the tuner shows the correct pitch

4. Tune the thinnest string. Again, adjust using the tuning peg until the tuner shows the correct pitch.

Final check:

After tuning all the strings, go back and check each one again. Sometimes strings can go out of tune when others are being adjusted.

Tips:
• Go slow when turning the tuning pegs to avoid breaking the strings.
• Use the fine tuners (if available) for small adjustments.
• Tune up, meaning raise the pitch slowly if it’s too low, rather than loosening the string if it’s too tight.

Bass Players: Due to the heavier tension on your strings, basses usually have geared tuners, like those found on a guitar. You don't have to push in on the tuners to get them to stay in place. Just turn the peg to tighten and loosen the strings until you get to the correct pitch. Investing in a more sensitive tuner will help as well, as the low frequencies can be hard for most tuners to pick up.

Changing Strings

The frequency of changing orchestral strings depends on how often you play. For regular players, strings should generally be replaced every 6 months to a year, as they can lose their tone and responsiveness over time. If you play daily or perform frequently, you might need to replace them more often. For occasional players, strings can last longer, but if you notice a decline in sound quality, it’s time for a change. Pay attention to the tone, tuning stability, and overall feel of the strings—if they start sounding dull or unresponsive, it’s a good sign they need replacing.


Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to change your strings:

1. Loosen the old string: Start by loosening the tension of the string you want to replace by turning the tuning peg clockwise. Only replace one string at a time to avoid moving the bridge or dislodging the soundpost. 
2. Remove the old string: Once the string is loose, carefully remove it from the peg and then from the tailpiece. Take note of how it was threaded, as it will help you when installing the new string.
3. Install the new string: Place the new string on the tailpiece (it should fit into the slot). Guide it up to the peg and thread it through, making sure it goes through the peg hole in the right direction (usually from the inside out).
4. Wind the string: Begin winding the string onto the peg by turning it counterclockwise. Make sure the string coils neatly around the peg (without overlapping).
5. Tighten the string: Slowly turn the tuning peg to tighten the string, adjusting the tension until it’s snug. Do this carefully to avoid putting too much tension on the string right away. Make sure it's sitting in the groove on the nut and the bridge, and if there is a string protector, align that over the bridge as well. 
6. Tune the string: Once the string is tight, use a tuner to get it to the correct pitch. Fine-tune it by adjusting the tuning peg or fine tuner. Turn the string and push the peg into the pegbox at the same time, so that it holds in place. 
7. Repeat for the other strings: Follow the same steps for the remaining strings.
8. Check tuning regularly: New strings stretch and will need retuning frequently at first.

That’s it! With practice, changing strings will get easier. Just take your time and be careful not to damage the violin. You can always bring it in to the shop to have it restrung or tuned. If the peg repeatedly falls out or detunes and won't stay in place, bring it into the shop and we'll apply a dressing to the pegs to help  them stay in place. 

D'addario Prelude strings are great for beginners, offering a warm, stable tone and a more affordable price point. They’re durable and forgiving, making them a solid choice for students.

D'addario Helicore strings are known for their bright, focused sound and are favored by many professional musicians. They have a steel core that offers excellent tuning stability, so they’re great for both performance and practice.

Dominant strings, made by Thomastik, are one of the most popular choices for professional and advanced players. They offer a rich, warm, complex tone and are made with a synthetic core, which gives them a similar warmth to gut strings but with the stability of steel.

Evah Pirazzi strings (pictured above) are a top choice for advanced players, offering a rich yet brilliant tone and excellent projection. With a synthetic core, they provide great responsiveness and tuning stability, making them ideal for performances. Known for their durability, these strings maintain a vibrant sound over time, making them a favorite among professional musicians.