| Travelling
with a String Instrument
By William Paul Muller
Years
of extensive touring with my viola, in busses, vans and every type of
aircraft (ERJ, 757, Airbus, Twin propeller etc.) and going through Airport
Security numerous times in one day, having my viola X-rayed and being
asked, is that a "Fishing pole?", (the bow), have made me
pretty much an expert in the field.
Try to use the smallest, lightest case available. It is less conspicuous
and will fit in virtually all airplane overheads. The dart shaped viola
cases (I use a Gewa) take up less room than an oblong violin case.
Flight
attendants will often ask you to check your violin or viola. Assure
them, with a smile, that the instrument will fit in the overhead and
that you fly often with no trouble fitting it in the overhead. Don't
be afraid to ask for a supervisor if you get nowhere with the attendant.
On
really small planes, they will usually try to get you to "gate
check" your instrument. A violin or viola will fit under the seats
parallel with the air frame. Ask to show them how well it fits if they
don't believe you.
A 'cello should have it's own seat. Yes, pay the money as it is cheaper
than repairing a broken neck! Cellists should also consider packing
extra strings and endpin in their suitcase or these items might be confiscated
by security.
Bass players. Know the regulations published by the airline. Try to
fly the ones that allow the bass in the cablin. Most flight attendants
are unaware of the rules that allow basses on a plane. The bulkhead
is where it goes. You'll have to use your charm to work out the problem
of the scroll hanging over into the seat behind. Perhaps you could sit
there. If you have to change planes on the trip be sure all planes will
accept the bass, round trip included, before you commit to a ticket.
When
traveling in a van in the winter, make sure your instrument is not near
a heater outlet on the floor. Some heater vents are between the front
seats at floor level. Also, certain areas of the floor become hot due
to the exhaust pipes, or drive train, below the floor. Even in the summer
be sure to check periodically to see that the instrument is not resting
on a hot spot on the floor.
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Basic
Violin Maintenance
Wipe
the rosin off the violin and the stick of the bow after playing. Don't
use too much rosin. Less is better than more. If a rosin cloud appears
before you when you play, you had too much rosin on the hair. Look at
the top of the instrument after you play. If it looks like it just snowed,
you had too much rosin on the bow.
Check
the bridge angle from time to time. A 90 degree angle between the back
of the bridge and the top of the instrument is the rule of thumb.
Periodically
clean the instrument with a lightly moistened cloth. This removes dirt
and perspiration. A damp cloth will not hurt the varnish.
Check for open seams by looking at the instrument. Do not lift corners
or edges to see if they are loose. Instead, press down and if they are
loose you will see the seam open and close. Use your knuckle and tap
around the perimeter of the top or back just over the purfling. If a
seam is open the tap sound will be different.
Instead of running out to have your bow rehaired, if it just isn't responding
like it used to, try using a tooth brush to gently brush and comb the
hair. This spreads rosin and separates the hair and will inprove the
playability. Of course this won't help if half the hair is missing.
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Selecting
an Instrument
By William Paul Muller
One
of the most important decisions we make as performers is choosing a
new instrument. Most importantly, one has to remember that it will be
your instrument not your friend's, colleague's, teacher's,
etc. You have to practice on it, perform on it and
you have to live with it. It will be your best friend.
Consider
the modern violin makers as the sound of modern string instruments can
equal or better the sound of any instrument ever made. And, modern instruments
are in superb condition.
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