Looking after a violin isn’t rocket science, but I’ve seen plenty of players—beginners and experienced alike—make some pretty avoidable mistakes that can damage their instruments or affect sound quality.Â
Whether you’re a weekend hobbyist or a serious student, avoiding these common pitfalls will keep your violin sounding great and save you money on repairs down the line.
1. Leaving Rosin Buildup on the Strings and Body
This is probably the most common mistake I see. After playing, rosin dust settles on your strings, fingerboard, and the violin body itself. It looks harmless enough, but over time this buildup creates a sticky residue that’s harder to remove and can actually damage the varnish.
Get into the habit of wiping down your violin after every playing session. Use a soft, lint-free cloth—microfiber works great—and gently wipe the strings, under the strings on the fingerboard, and the body of the instrument. It takes 30 seconds and will save you hours of frustration later.
2. Skimping on a Proper Case
I get it—good violin cases can be expensive. But using a cheap, flimsy case (or worse, no case at all) is asking for trouble. Your violin needs protection from impacts, temperature swings, and humidity changes.
A quality case is an investment that pays for itself the first time it saves your violin from damage. Look for cases with proper cushioning, secure closures, and ideally some climate control features. If you’re in the market for a new case and want to explore options across different price ranges and styles, resources like Great Violin Cases’ guide to buying Eastman violin cases can help you understand what features to look for at different price points.
3. Over-Tightening or Under-Tightening the Bow
Bow tension matters more than many players realize. Tightening the bow too much can warp the stick permanently, while leaving it too loose affects your control and sound quality.
The general rule: tighten the bow until there’s about a pencil’s width of space between the hair and the stick at its closest point (roughly in the middle of the bow). After playing, always loosen the bow hair. Always. This relieves tension on the stick and extends the life of both the bow and the hair.
This becomes especially important if you’re traveling with your instrument. Transporting string instruments safely requires extra care, whether you’re driving across town for lessons or flying to a performance.
4. Using the Wrong Cleaning Products
I’ve heard horror stories of people using furniture polish, window cleaner, or all-purpose cleaners on their violins. Don’t do this. Ever. These products contain chemicals that can strip varnish, damage the wood, or leave residues that affect the sound.
Stick to products specifically made for violins and stringed instruments. For the body, a dry cloth is usually sufficient. If you need something more, use a violin-specific polish very sparingly. For the fingerboard, there are specialized cleaners, but honestly, most of the time a slightly damp (not wet) cloth will do the job.
5. Storing Your Violin in Extreme Temperatures
Violins are made of wood, and wood is sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. Leaving your violin in a hot car, near a radiator, or in a freezing garage can cause the wood to crack, the glue joints to fail, or the sound post to collapse.
Room temperature is your friend. Keep your violin in a stable environment, ideally between 60-75°F (15-24°C) with humidity around 40-60%. If you live in a particularly dry climate, consider getting a violin humidifier for your case. And yes, always store your violin in its case when you’re not playing it—which brings me to my next point.
6. Neglecting to Change Strings Regularly
I’ve met violinists who’ve been playing on the same strings for years. Years! Old strings lose their brightness, become harder to tune, and can even break at the worst possible moment (like during a performance).
How often should you change strings? It depends on how much you play. If you’re practicing daily, change them every 6-12 months. Weekend players can probably stretch it to 12-18 months. But when strings start sounding dull, losing their responsiveness, or showing visible wear, it’s time. Don’t wait until they snap.
If you’re working with a teacher through online music lessons, they can usually hear when your strings need changing before you do—it’s one of those things that develops gradually, so you might not notice the decline in sound quality.
7. Attempting Major Repairs Yourself
There’s a fine line between basic maintenance and actual repairs. While you can and should handle routine cleaning and string changes, some things are best left to professionals: soundpost adjustments, bridge carving, crack repairs, and re-hairing bows, to name a few.
I’ve seen people try to glue cracks themselves or adjust the soundpost with a coat hanger. These DIY disasters often turn a simple repair into an expensive restoration job. When in doubt, take it to a luthier. Yes, it costs money, but it’s almost always cheaper than fixing a botched DIY job.
The Bottom Line
Taking care of your violin doesn’t require a music degree or deep technical knowledge. Most of it comes down to common sense and developing good habits: wipe it down after playing, store it properly, use the right products, and know when to call in the professionals.
Your violin is an investment—whether it’s a student model or a valuable antique. Treat it with respect, avoid these common mistakes, and it’ll reward you with years of beautiful music.
What violin care mistakes have you learned from the hard way? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your stories.