Take very good care of your cello. Be careful when you unpack it, and when you put it back in the cello case. Never run with, or around the cello. When placing the cello on the floor, always place it on the side. Never let it stand up without holding it, and make sure to not place it with the strings facing down – even when it is in the case. If you have a soft case: always put the cello in the bag before the bow – and always take the bow out of the case, before taking out the cello. After playing it is a good idea to wipe of the rosin with a soft, dry cloth (never ever use water to clean your cello!!!). Since the cello is made of wood, it is very sensitive to temperature differences and air humidity. A change in air humidity will have an effect on the instrument. Never leave your cello in direct sunlight or in a hot or cold car, as extreme temperatures can severely damage the instrument.
When you play on your instrument, you have to tighten the bow hair. You do that by turning the screw clockwise, using your right hand. Tighten it only so much, that the distance between the bow hair and the bow stick stays the same, or less than the thickness of the bow stick. To loosen the hair, turn the screw counterclockwise. Always loosen the hair when you are done playing.
It is a good idea to have the cello maintained regularly, by taking it to a good violin maker, that can make sure it is in good shape. He or she would check for cracks, replace the hair on the bow, and see if it needs to be glued at the seam (don’t try to do this at home, as it requires special glue and a long education to do it correctly). They might also check to see if the sound post inside the cello is placed correctly – and a few more things. I usually go once a year or every 2 years. If you live in a climate that changes a lot, you might have to go the to violin maker more often.
Stay tuned for next week where I go over which accessories you need for your cello.
Love, live, play!
Julie