New Instrument Orientation
How to tune your violin
When you're getting started, it's normal to struggle with tuning the instrument. Don't be afraid to experiment. You can practice achieving the correct tension by tuning the peg down and slowly bringing it up to its intended pitch. The conical pegs need to be pushed in while turning. Most often we don’t push in hard enough. Just remember to not over tighten the strings because there is a risk of breaking them.
Here is a very detailed video on how to tune for beginners:
Fiddlerman has a tuner online, that is easy to use: https://fiddlerman.com/fiddle-learning-tools/online-tuner/
Cleaning the violin
Wipe the rosin residue off the violin with a soft cloth after each use. It's much easier to clean the rosin when it's still a white powder. If neglected, it will turn into a grimy, sticky and dark layer that will become difficult to remove from the varnish. Violin cleaners/polishers can also be used, but is usually not necessary with a quick wipe after each time you play. Avoid touching the violin with oily or sweaty hands as well.
How to rosin the bow
Usually a new or a rehaired bow has no rosin on it. If you buy an outfit from Fiddlershop, you always receive a rosin. This is how you rosin your bow:
Cleaning the bow
First of all, never touch the hair. Oils on our skin create a "slick spot" on the hair, and the bow won't hold the rosin if touched. After you are done playing, loosen the hair. The hair shouldn’t be too tight when you aren’t using the bow. Otherwise the stick might warp or the hair might stretch. Wipe off the stick with a soft cloth to remove rosin dust and to slightly polish it, after playing.
Rehairing the bow
How often should you rehair your bow? Well, this depends on how much you play and how much hair you have lost. A soloist might do it as often as every month. Others might rehair their bow once a year. Let’s put it this way: If the bow sounds good, the hair is in good shape and it’s full, there is no need for rehairing.
In extreme cases, you might have to rehair your bow in the middle of each piece.
String maintenance
Wipe excess rosin off your strings when putting the instrument to rest. A little rosin buildup won't do much to affect the sound but will become difficult to remove if left unattended for a lengthier period of time.
How often should you change the strings? Many experts say that you should change your violin or viola strings every 6 months, if you use them frequently. One should not wait more than a year, that’s maximum. But as a beginner you can sometimes use them longer. When the strings look frayed or when they lose their quality of sound and/or power, it is time. Change the strings one at a time.
Alignment of the bridge
Make sure to always check the bridge so the feet are flat against the top of the violin, and aligned with the notches of the f-hole. Over time, the top of the bridge frequently gets pulled forward. This could make the bridge warp and even fall down. You can carefully adjust the bridge yourself so it stands straight, but loosen the strings a bit beforehand. Here is a video to help you out:
Storing the violin
Many experts advise against leaving the violin out in plain sight, when not being used. Fiddlerman somewhat disagrees. If you leave your instrument out, now and then, it reminds you to practice. Just keep it in a safe place, like on top of a piano or in a bookcase.
Most musicians keep their instrument in their case, when not being used. If you live in a dry climate, you might want to invest in a humidifier for your case. Otherwise the wood can become brittle and crack.
One final advice: Never leave your violin in a car. In the winter it gets too cold and in the summer the glue can melt.
15 comments
The article is vey useful. Thank you so much!
Very nice article!
Very nice article!
Fiddlershop
Very kind of you. Thanks, Mohammad!
Very kind of you. Thanks, Mohammad!
Fiddlershop
Happy to hear, Mohammad!
Happy to hear, Mohammad!
Mohammad Nahid Parvez
I always clean my violin after playing.
I always clean my violin after playing.
Mohammad Nahid Parvez
The article is very in-depth and very much helpful.
The article is very in-depth and very much helpful.
Fiddlershop
Hi and thanks for shopping with us!
Yes, all outfits that we sell (meaning instrument with all the accessories) include a rosin. If you only buy a bow, you will have to buy a rosin if you don’t own one already. We are sorry if this is unclear in our text. All the best to you, Lara!
Hi and thanks for shopping with us!
Yes, all outfits that we sell (meaning instrument with all the accessories) include a rosin. If you only buy a bow, you will have to buy a rosin if you don’t own one already. We are sorry if this is unclear in our text. All the best to you, Lara!
Lara D
Hello! We just received a Musing C3 – I was just reading this article and it states all bows arrive within rosin.. ours did not.. just want to be sure I didn’t miss anything… thanks. We are excited to break the new bow in.
Hello! We just received a Musing C3 – I was just reading this article and it states all bows arrive within rosin.. ours did not.. just want to be sure I didn’t miss anything… thanks. We are excited to break the new bow in.
Fiddlershop
Hi Julie!
Wonderful, thanks for letting us know! So happy to hear that you are satisfied. Happy playing and thanks for being a part of our Fiddlershop family ❤️
Hi Julie!
Wonderful, thanks for letting us know! So happy to hear that you are satisfied. Happy playing and thanks for being a part of our Fiddlershop family ❤️
Julie Colton
Thanks for the safe delivery of my Fiddlerman Artist Violin! It has arrived safe and well in the UK. Considering the temperature changes it endured on the journey, it has fared well and didn’t take overlong to re-tune. I am really enjoying playing it in now, and everyone says that it is a beautiful instrument! Thank you for your help! Julie.
Thanks for the safe delivery of my Fiddlerman Artist Violin! It has arrived safe and well in the UK. Considering the temperature changes it endured on the journey, it has fared well and didn’t take overlong to re-tune. I am really enjoying playing it in now, and everyone says that it is a beautiful instrument! Thank you for your help! Julie.
Asa Holstein
Hi Annette!
The Fiddlerman Master Violin is available in a 1/2 size and up: https://fiddlershop.com/products/fiddlerman-master-violin-outfit
The Fiddlerman Soloist Violin is not but we can custom order it, that should take about 4 months to make.
Thanks for asking!
Hi Annette!
The Fiddlerman Master Violin is available in a 1/2 size and up: https://fiddlershop.com/products/fiddlerman-master-violin-outfit
The Fiddlerman Soloist Violin is not but we can custom order it, that should take about 4 months to make.
Thanks for asking!
Annette
Do you carry the Fiddlerman Soloist in a 1/2 size? I noticed the Holstein’s are not offered in a 1/2 size either. I am 69 yrs old and have very short arms 20" from neck to mid palm, but want to purchase a professional grade violin.
Do you carry the Fiddlerman Soloist in a 1/2 size? I noticed the Holstein’s are not offered in a 1/2 size either. I am 69 yrs old and have very short arms 20" from neck to mid palm, but want to purchase a professional grade violin.
Fiddlerman
Hey John,
Thanks so much for your post. We ran out of hats but I’ll contact you one when we get some new ones in. We need to order them first. Send me a PM from my forum, fiddlerman.com/forum so that I can keep track of you for the hat. :)
Cheers,
Pierre
Hey John,
Thanks so much for your post. We ran out of hats but I’ll contact you one when we get some new ones in. We need to order them first. Send me a PM from my forum, fiddlerman.com/forum so that I can keep track of you for the hat. :)
Cheers,
Pierre
John Finney
I am 75 years old. I have been playing the guitar since I was about 14 yrs old. Self taught. Learned the French harp few yrs later. If you don’t know what that is, you are no bluegrass man! In august of 2018 I decided to learn the fiddle. At first I thought “I am 75.” Then I thought " And how old will I be if I don’t learn the fiddle?" I bought a very cheap one until I was certain I was going to stick with it, about 2 weeks ago I decided to get me a nice one. I came upon the Fiddlerman’s web site and was really impressed by it. But I was reluctant to order something so expensive on line. Watched all the videos, read all the reviews and decided to go for it. I received my Fiddlerman Master fiddle yesterday. I am absolutely thrilled with it. Looks and sounds fantastic. These guys are all they claim to be! Right now I am screeching thru The Kentucky Waltz, So lonesome I could cry, Cannonball Express, Cottoneyed Joe, Old joe Clark, and I’ll Fly Away. Thanks Fiddlerman! Also, Where can I get one of those Fiddlerman hats?
I am 75 years old. I have been playing the guitar since I was about 14 yrs old. Self taught. Learned the French harp few yrs later. If you don’t know what that is, you are no bluegrass man! In august of 2018 I decided to learn the fiddle. At first I thought “I am 75.” Then I thought " And how old will I be if I don’t learn the fiddle?" I bought a very cheap one until I was certain I was going to stick with it, about 2 weeks ago I decided to get me a nice one. I came upon the Fiddlerman’s web site and was really impressed by it. But I was reluctant to order something so expensive on line. Watched all the videos, read all the reviews and decided to go for it. I received my Fiddlerman Master fiddle yesterday. I am absolutely thrilled with it. Looks and sounds fantastic. These guys are all they claim to be! Right now I am screeching thru The Kentucky Waltz, So lonesome I could cry, Cannonball Express, Cottoneyed Joe, Old joe Clark, and I’ll Fly Away. Thanks Fiddlerman! Also, Where can I get one of those Fiddlerman hats?
Michael
Hey Anna!! Thanks so much for your kind words, it means the world to us :D It’s because of customers like you that we love what we do!
The Soloist violins are just absolutely incredible and really a steal at this price. They compare with violins that range much higher, and we’re absolutely stoked that you love yours!
We’ll always be here if you need anything at all.
Best Regards,
Michael
Hey Anna!! Thanks so much for your kind words, it means the world to us :D It’s because of customers like you that we love what we do!
The Soloist violins are just absolutely incredible and really a steal at this price. They compare with violins that range much higher, and we’re absolutely stoked that you love yours!
We’ll always be here if you need anything at all.
Best Regards,
Michael
Anna Smit
I started violin lessons about a year ago at the age of 64 (!!) on a student violin that I bought. Playing the violin was a long time dream. I strongly believe that your are only too old to do/learn new things when you can’t or don’t want to put actions to your dreams anymore. I promised myself that, if I can see progress within a year, I would buy myself a decent violin of my choice as time is obviously not on my side. I want to enjoy the couple of years that I have left of learning and playing to the full. Searching the internet, I came across Fiddlerman playing various violins (and giving lessons) and immediately fell in love with the sound of the Fiddlerman Soloist violin whilst he was playing “You raise me up”. I started saving for this violin and on 29 November 2018 I ordered it from Fiddlershop to be sent to South Africa. The e-mail correspondence that I had with Michael was tops and all promises made to me were fulfilled. I received my violin only 8 days later on 7 December 2018 and was nothing else but highly satisfied! The violin itself is beautiful, the sound is exactly what I wanted and the bow that I received is as light as a feather. In playing this violin, I sound so much better than before!! Thank you Fiddlerman for encouraging people, thank you Michael for keeping promises and thank you Fiddlershop employees for sending my package, clearly packed with care, to reach me in such a short couple of days (also due to DHL Worldwide Express). An amazing Christmas present to myself!! God bless.
I started violin lessons about a year ago at the age of 64 (!!) on a student violin that I bought. Playing the violin was a long time dream. I strongly believe that your are only too old to do/learn new things when you can’t or don’t want to put actions to your dreams anymore. I promised myself that, if I can see progress within a year, I would buy myself a decent violin of my choice as time is obviously not on my side. I want to enjoy the couple of years that I have left of learning and playing to the full. Searching the internet, I came across Fiddlerman playing various violins (and giving lessons) and immediately fell in love with the sound of the Fiddlerman Soloist violin whilst he was playing “You raise me up”. I started saving for this violin and on 29 November 2018 I ordered it from Fiddlershop to be sent to South Africa. The e-mail correspondence that I had with Michael was tops and all promises made to me were fulfilled. I received my violin only 8 days later on 7 December 2018 and was nothing else but highly satisfied! The violin itself is beautiful, the sound is exactly what I wanted and the bow that I received is as light as a feather. In playing this violin, I sound so much better than before!! Thank you Fiddlerman for encouraging people, thank you Michael for keeping promises and thank you Fiddlershop employees for sending my package, clearly packed with care, to reach me in such a short couple of days (also due to DHL Worldwide Express). An amazing Christmas present to myself!! God bless.