Control the Environment:

The recent cold snap in Minnesota has brought sub-zero temperatures and reduced humidity. These drastic changes in weather can greatly affect your instrument. As humidity levels drop, your instrument’s wood will shrink and change shape as it dries out. Edges are designed to be glued lightly and act as a safety valve that give way to prevent cracks from forming in the top or the rest of your instrument. These open edges need to be repaired to keep your instrument sounding its best. Here are tips to prevent these open edges from forming in the first place and ensure your instrument stays in top condition throughout any season of the year, or if you travel frequently to other climates.

Maintain Humidity Levels:

Use a hygrometer in your case to track humidity levels. If it’s too low, consider using a humidifier designed for musical instruments. Ideal levels are between 40-60%. Consider using a humidifier or dehumidifier as needed at home. Also consider a humidifier pack for your case. These small packs absorb excess moisture or add moisture in the case to help maintain optimal humidity levels. We recommend the Boveda humidity packs and have those available at the shop.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures:

Avoid leaving your instrument near heat sources or cold drafts. Store it in a stable environment, such as a temperature-controlled room. Never leave your instrument in direct sunlight. Never leave your instrument in a hot or cold car, even for a short time.

Use a Quality Case:

A good violin case provides insulation against temperature fluctuations. Ensure that yours is padded and use a silk cloth or bag. When you stop by the shop, we can ensure that your case can withstand temperature fluctuations, and recommend a new case if need be. 

Inspect Your Pegs: 

The change in humidity will also cause tuning pegs to loosen which causes strings to go out of tune, and make your bridge move. Use your pegs regularly so they don’t loosen unexpectedly and keep your instrument in tune. If you continue to have trouble with keeping your pegs on your instrument you may need to have them refitted in the shop.

Rapid changes in temperature and humidity due to weather fluctuations or travel can significantly alter the sound and structure of your instrument. If your instrument is suddenly not sounding its best for any reason, especially after a big weather change, bring it into the shop and we will bring it back to its full potential.

Time for something new?

Over the past month we’ve described fixable items for your instrument, setup, and playing to get the sound that you want. What if nothing that we try is helping? If all options are exhausted, and you are still having trouble or are frustrated playing, it is time to look for a new instrument, bow or both. But, what level should the instrument be, how much do you need to spend? The answer lies in matching the right instrument and bow to the player.

In our experience, instruments and bows are easiest to play when their tonal qualities match the player’s preferences and expectations. This is true for beginners and ranked professionals alike. To find a match,  we have the player try many different instruments, allowing them to discover what type of sound they enjoy, and what is within their budget.The right one produces the best sound in the hands of the player. We have seen amazing results from students and professionals who have the chance to play a finer instrument. They have an enlightening and surprising experience when they realize that their instrument has been holding them back.

A custom ordered instrument is a great option that expresses your style and is tailor made to produce the sound you want to achieve. We start by observing the player perform on the wide range of instruments in the shop to discover the tone they enjoy, and their approach to playing. Then, we determine the model to be used, and the tone and response to create. Instruments can have a wide range of tonal qualities that are focused and fast, warm, broad and creamy, deep, bright or dark, crisp or warm and edgy or smooth. With these parameters in mind we can create the instrument and also choose the color of the varnish to give them the custom finishing touches to further express the player’s style. A custom instrument is an investment that will appreciate in value over time, and can be a cherished item that is passed down through generations.

Bows should be a partner with the instrument and player that compliments their sound. A match to the person and instrument makes playing easier and more enjoyable. The right bow will act as an extension of their arm and compliment their playing style. Finding the right bow helps the instrument’s tone production, but also has a dramatic effect on the ability to express the player’s emotion. We have a wide range of bows available so we will find your match.

You don’t want to limit potential by playing with the wrong instrument or bow. You may not even know what is possible until you find the right combination. It can provide possibilities that might not have been available, and can open doors to advancement both technically and professionally. 

With the experience we have, we take the anxiety out of shopping. You can be confident that you are making the right decision. Until the end of December we have 10% off most of our stock instruments and bows, and offer payment plans so you can enjoy your new instrument or bow right away. We are available for appointments through 6pm and look forward to your visit!

Are you frustrated preparing for auditions?

Nothing is more aggravating than not being able to play something soft enough or fast enough and it seems you just can’t get it with practice. The instrument you have played and enjoyed for a long time may seem to have lost something. What is wrong with it now? I usually see this problem presented by professional musicians before a performance or college graduates going for an audition. This situation is not as major as needing a new bridge or post. There can be some very small things out of place that we can check

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The first thing to check for is open edges. One loose corner will throw the sound off enough that it is tempting to move the bridge or post. It is hard to resist but moving anything before gluing the openings is a mistake. At a visit to the shop we can glue any edges or corners that have opened up.

The next thing to check is the straightness of the bridge. This affects the way the bow grabs the strings, the tuning of the instrument, and how much the sympathetic frequencies are ringing. Chords especially will not sound right. The bridge shown to the left is leaning forward a severe amount. It should look like it is at a 90 degree angle to the top on the side facing the tailpiece. The picture below shows the correct hand positioning to move the bridge.

If you have changed the strings, there are several points to check on the instrument to keep it sounding great. The bridge and tailgut could be very slightly off from the ideal position. Make sure the tailgut is settled in the grooves on the saddle. Check the bridge feet carefully to see if they are in the old spot. Finally make sure the strings are tight to the pegs. If one string is loose on the peg it will take forever to settle in and hold a pitch. It can also sound weak or slightly softer than the others.

There are other very tiny changes that make such a difference to the response of the instrument but should be done at the shop with an expert adjustment. If you are preparing for an audition or performance, call to set up a time to have things checked over. It doesn’t take a long time, usually 30 min to an hour is enough time to get your instrument in top form.  After all, you want your instrument to “have your back” during an audition, not fight you!

Are you frustrated with practicing?

Many players suffer needless frustration while practicing. They are not progressing in tone production, expressing emotions or phrasing. Spending more time practicing seems to not make any difference, and may even start hurting their hands, arms or back. The ability to produce a fine sound is gone or diminishing, and even the risk of injury starts to present itself. A player might start to wonder why they are suddenly struggling or unable to progress or achieve the sound they once had. 

Sound familiar to you? Any of this could be an indication that there is an issue with the instrument’s setup.

When you bring your instrument to the shop, we’ll listen for the overall balance and tone that the instrument should be producing. If there are problems, it sounds sick to us; like a singer with a cold or a blurry photograph. To a player, problems with a setup could sound sluggish, whiney, hollow or fuzzy and feel flabby, slow, or stiff like concrete.

While the instrument’s voice is set at its creation by its maker; over time, changes happen to the bridge, post, tailpiece, tailgut and neck which makes an instrument lose some tone production and playability. 

You might be surprised by how many seemingly small factors make a big impact on your instrument that have nothing to do with you as a player! 

For example, let’s take a situation where three of the four strings sound well, but either the upper or the lower fourth string sounds out of character. Sometimes we try to change strings or move the bridge to correct this problem, but that won’t work if the bridge is too wide or too narrow, or if the post is in the wrong position or wrong length. In this case, a new bridge or post is needed. By correcting the source of the problem, we can restore the instrument to a fully balanced sound.

If you are struggling or frustrated, the best thing to do is bring your instrument in to be analyzed. There can be multiple factors contributing to a single problem, and you don’t have to try and figure them out by yourself! We can ensure that your instrument is playing and sounding its absolute best. Any improvement will certainly help with your enjoyment of practicing which will advance your skills to produce the wonderful music our world needs!