RENTAL INSTRUMENT CARE INFORMATION

Congratulations on your new rental instrument!  The better you take care of your rental, the more it will give back to you in enjoyment.  Remember, you are responsible for the care of your rental.  Here are some important points:

Temperature and Humidity: these are the two biggest issues your instrument will face.  Violins, cellos, guitars and other wooden instruments are made of carved wood that is very thin, and environmental changes can have a big impact.  In addition, the strings put enormous pressure on the structure of the instrument.

In the Summer: do not leave your instrument in the trunk or in direct sunlight.  Temperature can build rapidly, softening glue joints.

In the Winter:  do not leave your instrument in the trunk, in cold areas, or near any sources of heat such as radiators.  If it gets cold during travel, allow to warm up gradually in the case.  The air is very dry in the winter, so be sure to use a humidifier in your instrument case (the kind designed for your instrument, ask your teacher or Ted) from September to April.  Keeping your instrument humidified will help you avoid major dryness issues, such as slipping pegs/tuning problems, buzzing, or even cracking.  Note that a room humidifier is not sufficient; use an instrument humidifier.

At Home: it is best to keep your instrument in the case.  Do not lean the case up against the wall or furniture; better to set it horizontally on the floor.  Do not leave your instrument or bow on the couch or bed, it will be in danger.   Do not polish your instrument with anything other than polish recommended by Parrish Music.

Bows: Always loosen the bow hair after playing, and tighten and rosin before playing.  If you leave it taut, the hair will stretch and your bow will no longer work properly. Avoid touching the hair of the bow with your fingers, because the oils in your skin are bad for the hair.  If you have a loose hair, clip it off at the end.  Don’t pull it out of the end.  Store the bow in the case with the instrument.  For cellos, always remove the bow before the cello, and case up the cello before the bow.  This prevents having a delicate bow in an empty, floppy case where it could easily break.

Strings:  The strings on your rental should last a long time.  Check with your teacher or Ted periodically to see how your strings are holding up.  Depending on the instrument, and your style, you will need string changes from time to time. If you need a string or have questions about strings, just bring your instrument in.

Case: your case is designed to transport and protect your instrument.  Make sure the instrument is placed properly before closing, and don’t put too many books or “extras” in the case that would make it difficult to close, or put undo tension on the instrument.  Many plastics can interact with instrument finishes (such as string packages) so store those in the pocket.

Fractional Instruments:  you may have a fractional instrument, such as a 3/4 size violin.  Your teacher will let you know when you need to change to the next size.  You may exchange your rental for a new size at anytime. We can also check your size for you.

See us right away if you have any issues.  It is natural for an instrument moving from one environment (the store, not being played much) to another (your house, constant practice) to change.  It may lose tune right away, or need more tuning for a little while, until it adjusts.  You may bring it to the shop anytime for adjustments and advice.  If something big goes wrong, like a fallen bridge, crack, or a fall, contact us immediately and loosen string tension.  We’ll fix it!  Above all, enjoy your instrument and your music!