subject: Violin Bow - Easy Tips for Preserving your Violin Bow [print this page] Violin Bow - Easy Tips for Preserving your Violin Bow
Your violin bow is just as important as the violin itself because without the bow, the violin would be reduced to pizzicato, or plucking. Caring for your bow is, therefore, vital towards the overall performance of the instrument.
A violin bow is really a delicate part of a classy instrument and really should be given respect. Take care to not strike your bow about the music stand or other surface as this can fracture, or even break, your bow. When not in use, store your bow safely within the violin case to avoid someone sitting or stepping on it. Make sure to loosen the bow hair strands before storing it so they will last longer.
When it's time for you to play your violin, don't over tighten your bow strands as this can cause them to snap. A bow's strands are made from horse hair which is a natural substance that requires delicate attention in order to give you long and reliable periods of performance. Never expose the head of hair to cleaning chemicals which could compromise their quality.
Avoid over applying rosin for your bow hairs as this can cake the hairs and deplete its performance. Should you play daily then usually once a day is sufficient. Should you not play every day then once a week might be all that's needed. After you play for awhile, you're going to get an ear for the sound produced by a well rosined bow and one that is lacking in rosin. You will be able to determine when rosin is required by the sound made.
Keep an eye on the head of hair of the violin bow to determine when it needs replacement. Should you play and practice every single day then you may need to have it replaced every couple of months. If you don't play much then you definitely might be able to wait for a year before having it replaced. Regardless, it is best to allow a professional to alter the hair to ensure that the bow to do as you expect.
The shaft of a violin bow is often made from wood and is highly susceptible to extreme temperature variations. Always attempt to minimize such temperature changes in order to keep your bow from warping from an excessive amount of humidity and cracking from not enough moisture. While you grow inside your musical career, you can purchase a guitar humidifier to place inside your violin case to maintain both bow and instrument in the optimum state of performance.
Should you treat your violin bow with respect and take care to give it proper maintenance then it will provide you with sweet music for several years.
