As a mom who’s watched her child fall in love with the violin, I know firsthand how important it is
to protect this precious instrument. Trust me, when you see the price tag of a good violin and
witness your little one’s eyes light up while playing it, you’ll want to make sure it lasts! I’ve
learned quite a bit about violin care over the years, and I’m excited to share some mom-tested
tips that have helped keep our violin in great shape.
Let me walk you through what I’ve learned about keeping these delicate instruments safe and
sound.
Always Use a Quality Case
Listen, mama – I learned this one the hard way! When my child first started, I thought any case
would do, but boy, was I wrong. A good, sturdy case is worth every penny, just like those
protective phone cases we buy for our kids’ devices.
I look for cases with plenty of padding and a snug fit – you don’t want that violin bouncing around
in there! My favorite cases have those convenient backpack straps (a lifesaver during school
runs). I also made sure to get one with extra pockets for all those little things they need, like
sheet music and spare strings. I’d recommend your local music shop or you can shop here for
some cases. After seeing another mom deal with a cracked violin from a flimsy case, I never
questioned this investment again.
Keep It Clean
Just like we’re always wiping sticky fingers and messy faces, violins need regular cleaning too! I
keep a soft microfiber cloth in the case and make sure my kiddo wipes down the violin after
every practice session. It’s amazing (and a bit gross!) how much rosin dust and finger oils can
build up.
I’ve made it part of our after-practice routine, just like putting away toys after playtime. When I
notice extra buildup, especially under the strings, I use the special cleaning solution our teacher
recommended. And here’s a mom hack: I keep an extra cleaning cloth in my purse because you
never know when you’ll need it!
Encourage Responsible Practices
This is where all that “teaching responsibility” we do as moms comes into play! I’ve made violin
care part of our daily routine, just like making the bed or brushing teeth.
After their violin lessons, my little musician has a checklist right by the music stand – wipe down
the violin, loosen the bow, check for any issues. It’s amazing to see them take pride in caring for
their instrument, and between you and me, it’s helped with taking care of other belongings too!
Store It in a Safe Environment
You know how we’re always telling our kids not to leave their things in the car? Well, that goes
double for violins! I learned that these instruments are as sensitive to temperature as a newborn
baby. We keep ours in my child’s room, away from the heating vents and windows.
I actually bought a little humidity gauge (it’s like a baby monitor for the violin!) to make sure the
conditions are right. During those crazy weather changes we get, I keep an eye on the humidity
levels just like I check the weather before sending the kids to school. Better safe than sorry!
Teach Your Child Proper Handling
Supporting your child’s dream of becoming a musician takes patience, creativity, and a whole lot
of heart. Just like teaching our little ones to wash their hands before dinner, I’ve had to drill
proper violin handling into my child’s routine. Trust me, watching your kid swing their violin
around like a toy will give you instant heart palpitations! I always remind mine to hold it by the
neck – think of it like carrying a baby chick, gentle and careful.
We had a few “sticky fingers on the shiny parts” incidents before this became a habit, but
consistency is key (just like with everything else in parenting, right?). I even turned it into a
game when they were younger, pretending the violin was a sleeping princess that needed extra
gentle handling. Moments like these remind me that nurturing their musical aspirations isn’t just
about technique or discipline; it’s about creating joy and celebrating the little victories that lead
to big dreams.
Check the Bow and Strings Regularly
Moms, this is just like checking those shoelaces before they break! I’ve gotten into the habit of
giving the violin a quick once-over during practice breaks. The bow needs to be loosened after
playing – I compare it to letting your hair down after a tight ponytail all day.
My child knows to come to me if something feels “different” about the strings. I can’t tell you how
many times this regular checking has saved us from a pre-recital disaster! And just between us,
I keep a photo of how the bridge should look on my phone, so I can quickly check if it’s leaning
too much.
Invest in Regular Tune-Ups
Think of this like those regular pediatrician check-ups – preventive care is everything! I schedule
violin check-ups with our luthier (that’s a violin doctor, if you’re new to this) every six months.
Yes, it’s another thing to add to our busy mom calendar, but it’s worth it.
I usually try to schedule these around the start of school semesters to make it easier to
remember. Our luthier has become like a family friend now, and honestly, the peace of mind is
priceless.
Use a Shoulder Rest or Pad
Ladies, this is like getting your kid the right size shoes – it matters! A good shoulder rest not only
keeps the violin from slipping but also helps prevent those dreaded posture problems (we’ve got
enough to worry about with those heavy backpacks, right?).
I let my child pick out the color of their shoulder rest – it’s one of the few ways they can
personalize their instrument. We actually have a backup shoulder rest because, well, we all
know how things mysteriously disappear when we need them most!
Have an Emergency Repair Kit
Think of this as your violin first-aid kit! Just like we keep Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment
handy, I’ve put together a little emergency violin kit. It’s saved us more than once during those
last-minute practice sessions or right before a performance.
I keep it in a little makeup bag in the violin case – extra strings, peg compound, and cleaning
cloth. My daughter knows it’s like mom’s emergency snack stash – use only when necessary!
A Violin That Grows With Your Child
As a mom, there’s nothing quite like watching your child grow with their instrument. Every
scratch and mark on that case tells a story – from their first nervous recital to practicing in the
living room while I cook dinner. Taking care of a violin might seem overwhelming at first (what
isn’t in parenting?), but trust me, it becomes second nature. And when you hear those beautiful
melodies floating through your home, you’ll know every bit of care and attention was worth it.
Here’s to raising our little musicians, one careful violin handling at a time!
