You must care for your instrument properly to get the best out of it. Here we look at some ways to look after and maintain your cello.
The Bow
Whenever you take the bow out of the case, hold it by the frog, and where possible, avoid touching the hair of the bow as it can absorb oils from your skin which over time can stop rosin from sticking to the bow and allowing it to play properly.
Apply rosin to the bow if it needs it. A bow with insufficient rosin will slip on the strings and not produce an even sound. If you have applied too much rosin, the bow will feel sticky on the strings, produce an uneven sound, and leave rosin dust on the strings and body of the cello.
Before You Play Your Cello
Before you play your cello, take it carefully out of the case. When handling the cello, always try to hold it safely by the neck. Try to avoid touching the varnish and avoid bumping it against anything that could cause damage to the varnish or wood. If you take a break and are not using your cello but still need it to be out, use a cello stand to avoid it falling from being balanced or propped up against something.
After You Play Your Cello
After you have played your cello, take some time to care for it before putting it away. When you have finished playing, use a soft cloth to clean the rosin dust from the strings and body of the cello. This is an important step, as rosin can damage the finish of the cello over time and dampen the sound from the strings.
When putting your cello away, remove or adjust the endpin, and place the cello carefully back into the case. Ensure that the cello is stored bridge side up to avoid any strain on the instrument’s bridge, then make sure that the cello is securely ‘restrained’ in the case. Place all accessories, such as rosin, in separate compartments of the case to avoid them from bumping into the cello during travel. Making sure that your cello has been put away properly is one of the best steps toward stopping your cello from getting damaged.
Take a moment also to wipe rosin dust from the bow and loosen the adjustment screw before putting it away, and this will help to avoid the bow from warping.
Storing Your Cello
Cellos are very sensitive to temperature and humidity, so proper storage is key for maintaining your cello. Ideally, you should look to store your cello in its case in a room with a stable temperature and humidity. Avoid storing your cello in excessive heat or cold (such as in a car overnight), as this could cause the wood to warp or crack.
Top tip: If you are feeling the cold or heat, your cello may be feeling it too!
Humidity can also affect your cello. The ideal humidity for a cello is between 40-50%. Many cello cases come with a hygrometer to allow you to keep an eye on the humidity, and if your case does not have one, it may be an idea to look into getting one. If the air is too dry for your cello, you can also look into using a humidifier.
Protecting Your Cello
Over time there will likely be a build-up of rosin on the strings that you may not be able to remove with just a clean cloth. If this happens, you will need to use a solvent to help remove the rosin from the strings. Make sure to avoid getting this on the varnish. The body of the cello may also become sticky or dirty over time. Do not use polish or cleaning products to deal with this; instead, only use cloths or cleaners made specifically for the cello. If you are not confident in taking these steps, take your cello to a luthier or a music shop, and they will be able to help.
It is likely that the bow hair and the strings will gradually wear with use and need to be replaced. When this happens, take your cello to a luthier, and they can change these for you.
If you have cracked or damaged your cello, take it to a luthier as soon as possible and get them to fix this for you. Don’t be tempted to try and fix the crack yourself, as you may cause more damage further down the line. If ever you are concerned that your cello is damaged or not playing properly, rather than guess or use home remedies, take it to a luthier to inspect it.
For peace of mind in the long term, look to get your cello insured against any damage that could occur.
Top Tips:
- Hold the cello carefully by the neck. Avoid touching the varnish
- Wipe down the cello, strings, and bow with a soft clean cloth after playing
- Don’t apply too much rosin
- Store securely in the case when not in use
- Use a cello stand when necessary
- Store in a room with a stable temperature and humidity
- If in doubt take it to a luthier
- Insure your cello
If you have any questions or need help, let us know if the comments!
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