Thursday, July 21, 2011

The Art Of Violin Repair And Daily Maintenance

By Wendy Salas


Violin repair is an art as difficult to master as the playing of the instrument. It requires a skilled craftsman with dedication to his art. Apart from restoration, the owner of the violin is responsible for executing daily maintenance to ensure that the violin does not need to make frequent visits to the shop.

Violin maintenance is a quick and easy process that should never be skipped, because the consequences to the instrument can be great. Wiping accumulated rosin dust from the strings and surface after playing is a rudimentary and essential task. If left to build up over time, it will ruin the varnish and reduce the sound quality of the strings.

Tuning pegs often cause problems when they are too loose or too tight. This problem can often be remedied with the application of chalk or a solution of alcohol mixed with rosin. If that does not do the trick the pegs may need to be replaced. Strings need to be carefully wound as well, because they often snap from too much friction.

A home repair that can be done on the instrument is replacing a string that has snapped. Strings can be bought individually and threaded with care through the pegs. The peg is then wound away from the musician, advancing slowly so as not to repeat the problem of breaking a string. Strings are sensitive and require a little bit of practice to wind correctly. For this reason, it is recommended that beginners use fine tuners that will allow tension to be applied to the string little by little.

A bridge is a small wooden object that supports the strings on the surface of the instrument. Sometimes it breaks or warps from either tension or humidity. If this occurs, the bridge may be replaced by the owner. This small repair and the replacement of strings are the only adjustments that the musician is recommended to do himself.

Adjustment to the sound post is one of the most important repairs that can be made on the violin. This is because the size and position of the post has a startling effect on the sound quality of the instrument. One should seek out a skilled luthier to perform this task. If the wood is cracked in any way, a skilled professional can also take care of this.

Although violins are fragile instruments, they are made to last for centuries. The sound quality actually improves and opens up with age. Nonetheless, great care must be taken to ensure that it does live a long life. Regardless if there is an obvious need for restoration, every musician should take their instrument to a professional from time to time for violin repair.




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