Don't let this happen!! Looking after your violin every day...

Master violin maker Olaf Grawert shows how you can keep your instrument working well. Learn about how to look after your instrument every time you play...
Looking after your violin bow, how clean your violin, keeping your bridge straight, and where to store your violin.
Insider secrets and stories from the Master Violinmaker and restorer
Website:
www.olafgrawertviolinstudio.com
Social:
/ olafgrawertviolinstudio
/ olafgrawertviolinstudi...

[@ashtonhood8928]

Was playing this on full volume loudspeakers inside the elevator then Olaf decided to scream out of nowhere 😂

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Yes, I like scaring people in elevators...

[@kita9620]

Hahahahaha its hilarious Ps. I did not see that coming

[@sam8603]

I listened to it with headphones on in 80% volume. I guess all my dreams of wanting to become a professional violinist is over because I lost my hearing!

[@crystalheart9]

It startled the heck out of me :D

[@tammylaronde8593]

😂😂😂

[@torkjeldkjeldsen2527]

1:44 “We don’t discrimanate here!” Uh huh TwoSet

[@eyeson1768]

OOOOPSIEEEEE

[@hyukang81]

"There are little thing you can do each and every day" i.e. practice everyday.

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Yes... minor detail 😀 ... that's probably number 1

[@JasperJanssen]

How many hours a day?

[@JasperJanssen]

Heidrun Schwartz 42 hours a day seems better idea than 40, I agree.

[@jesfern]

@@ChiefHerzensCoach how about ling ling has 42 hours but only practices for 40

[@No-pm4ss]

Best intro on any video I've seen lol

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Thanks... scared the s#$t out of some viewers 😀... But there really is nothing worse for a string players than to find their instrument in pieces

[@RolandMillington]

My Viola Josef was a Facebook marketplace purchase to practice violin surgery. Neck off, seams open, nut off, saddle off, etc. It was in bad shape, advertised as a violin (owner didn't know). They'd found the viola in the garbage after a neighbor had used it as a halloween prop outside. Had a bunch of white chalk paint on it. I bought it for $20, repaired it, set it up and it's got an incredibly lovely voice. Step one in caring for your instrument is to not make it into a Halloween decoration. LOL

[@mellissadalby1402]

I appreciate these training videos. I study them repeatedly and I follow the Olaf violin care gospel.

[@Minunmaani]

I have had violin in my life some day's over week now. The first day I got her, I dropped her when shoulder rest slipped. She is fine I quess, but it did left a mark in my soul. I hope I will never experience anything like that ever again.

[@evanaddicott3999]

I was wearing earphones and then Olaf just screams 🤣

[@matthewbroadbent544]

Hi Olaf, I'm really enjoying your channel! You seem to be bridging the gap on KZbin between playing-focused channels and also the highly technical information often given by Luthiers' channels by sharing your specialist knowledge in a way that gives real, practical advice for players which is difficult to find elsewhere. Thank you for that :)

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Thank you for the feedback... That's exactly my goal for the channel, so it means a lot.

[@paper2222]

don't forget 0:09

[@MatthewWaltonWalton]

Olaf: "Don't touch the hair down here!" Me: Looks guiltily at his dirty frog-hair It's weird, I'm absolutely diligent about keeping my viola da gamba bow clean because we actually touch the hair near the frog on viol bows (underhand grip, fingers controlling hair tension), so I've always been extremely careful that no rosin goes anywhere near where my hand goes. This is because my teacher's bows used to get really crusty and horrible as she was not so careful where she applied rosin. But on the fiddle it doesn't bother me. I've never liked playing right near the frog anyway, and I'm often holding the bow a bit higher up when I'm playing English dance music, it seems to work better that way.

[@cole5266]

yoda says PRACTICE!!!!! 😂

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Practice you must!

[@surgeeo1406]

I just want to say, I love your sense of humor, I knew it was going tp be a wacky intro, and you just went for it, I love that.

[@sheenche392]

Best intro in multiple levels

[@tammylaronde8593]

Good to know about humidity. I live in Southern Ontario, Canada and summers can be quite humid.

[@tobywilson5076]

This has to be one of Olaf’s best videos! Every string player should watch this so we don’t get people ruining their instruments! 🎻

[@abe_nuh]

0:08 this is the most unhinged intro i've seen olaf do lol

[@Codymeister99]

I own a very fine modern American cello (Carl Becker & Son). In addition to home cleaning etc I’ve always taken in to a violin shop for routine maintenance so the cello is inspected yearly, cleaned , retouched and polished. I was lucky to take it to Carl jr for many years.

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Great to hear

[@almirpontillo6163]

I've never touched a violin before yet here i am.

[@rubenmonsterman4044]

Practice 40 langlang-houres a day ...... the violin is amazing!

[@worksasintended4997]

I did hear of people that like to put the clove between the tailpiece and the violin too. In case that little string breaks (I only know it in German, its called "Einhängesaite", no idea what the english term actually is, but I mean the little string holding the tailpiece) there will be not scratches on the body this way.

[@littlewoodgirl8810]

Oh my goodness that intro... I was not expecting that 😂

[@nimbusshooter]

I'm a pianist, why do I keep watching your videos? Nice job btw~

[@WhidbeyIsguy]

I don't know how to play any music or instruments. But I like woodworking, and for some odd reason I want to build a violin. Your videos have awakened that desire again.

[@LuukSwinkels]

I dont play the violin. What am I doing here lol

[@PrincessSixThirteen]

Enjoying the mixture of wacky storytelling, practical advice, and willingness to experiment that is Olaf.

[@guiio_053]

same

[@eliz_scubavn]

I’m a drummer. String instruments scare me. Why am I here?

[@llamont2336]

I played the cello for a year during the 4th grade 91’/92’ before switching to the trumpet in the 5th grade (which I played through college). That said I enjoy Olaf’s content and craftsmanship/expertise.

[@yotsuya48]

After watching a few of your videos, your choice of shirts here is very appropriate. You are the Yoda of violin care.

[@clarinhatinti2010]

awesome video!!

[@willemkossen]

darn. i should have know about this about 30 years ago, when i inherited the violins that used to belong to my grandfathers. they have been stored at many places, and are currently in the attic. always been in the boxes. i think they are still playable, but i cant really play. i mean, i can play, but everybody runs out of the house if i try. I'll check up on them to see if i have to change anything.

[@rubygloom73]

first 15 seconds of the video is absolutely chaotic

[@hermannrorschachder2.]

Thank you this helped me a lot.Good video

[@zhouyun654_]

The start was so funny.

[@WEdHarris]

Great advice!! I'm always learning something new with each one! Keep up the fantastic work and Thank You!!

[@tishmusso3949]

Just found Olaf. Great info and very entertaining!

[@ashurali22]

It feels great to know i took care of my violin correctly without ever really knowing 😂, though i don't practice everyday anymore i always clean after playing 😄

[@vonsteuben2457]

Great video! Will you be recording the restoration of the French instrument?

[@shadowwolf1849]

I was on a school orchestra rehearsal and asked the flutes if they can look after my violin because I was not able to put it in my case, but when you need to go to the toilet... Jeah. When I came back my bridge lays next to my violin. I managed to put it back in. I still brought it to my violin-maker and she was impressed that for my first time doing it I did it really good

[@wonkawilly1846]

You Are like a great lufyer

[@mdrbal]

May be one more tip, I am putting the cloth under the tailpiece (for covering the instrument I have dedicated one), because if bridge accidentally falls down, cloth will prevent finetuners to scratch the varnish of the violin.

[@j.p.1492]

RIP ears

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Oops...

[@feimimi]

I swear that intro made me laugh so hard 😂 😂

[@biggysground]

Olaf, some really good suggestions here. I crack open the case and let it rest about 5 minutes before opening it fully to allow temps to adjust. I've witnessed cases being opened to fast and violins removed to here a pop noise and the tune goes out.. not good! Thanks for sharing.

[@a.s.clifton544]

If you have an airtight hard case, you might consider Boveda packs to keep your Rh consistent. They work great for my cello and (different Rh level) in my cigar humidors.

[@nakedcellist]

Wonderful and useful video. Do you have a tip how to clean the bow hair down under? My bow hair close to the frog is always filthy.. And what are safe humidity levels for the instrument?

[@XCurvyBarbieX]

Thank you so much for making a youtube channel and posting all these videos!! It really MEANS SO MUCH to musicians and string players particularly!! Honestly THANK YOU and if you could please keep making content we will forever be grateful!

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Thank you for the feedback... and yes, there's lots more to cover, so happy to make more videos. 😀

[@XCurvyBarbieX]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Thank you honestly for all your work! It's always amazing to learn new tips! All I can beg of you is to please keep making videos for us you have no idea how much we need it and how valuable it is in the times we are living to have your work shared with us like this!

[@flutesgalaxy]

I was planning to being a Luthier, I was taking lessons but Corona Virus ended everything..

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Keep learning about it... this will be over sometime... hopefully soon

[@JasperJanssen]

Caught the Cremona virus, did you?

[@flutesgalaxy]

@@JasperJanssen wut?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

You can also see if anyone does Zoom or Skype lessons. Keep up practice anyway...

[@flutesgalaxy]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Aww Dear Olaf,Thank you,you are so nice!! I would love to but we just had 2 or 3 lessons and after that, schools ended.We were so new about everything.And I am only 15 and this is a high school project with University. I think our teacher wants to have lessons face to face because he still did not teach us how to shape of a wood.We learned technical words.And he showed us some examples.But I hope we will have lessons ı believe in that.And I hope ı can make a violin or myself! And if ı make a violin, I will draw Brett and Eddy's face back to the violin haha Love you Olaf! And Ola I would love to ask you,I wanna be a professional flutist but I also want to be a Luthier.Do you think I can do them at the same time?? Should I choose one of them? Thank you so much for these supportive words!

[@user-ec6kt2fg7m]

I live close to the ocean, meaning I have a valid reason to play dress up with it, I call it my little prince.

[@cherylwellham3786]

Thankyou Olaf. My violin is still in great condition after you repaired it a few years ago. I live in Port Douglas with very high humidity and 100ms from the beach. So a few challenges with the atmosphere. My teacher also advised me to wrap my violin in a pure silk scarf to keep it safe from the humidity. She is 89..been playing since she was nine...so a bit of violin wisdom that I am heeding like yours. Sadky the hairs on my bow have become grubby near the frog, is there a way I can clean them please?

[@bily4566]

Keep a good job so I can send it to you

[@LilyflowerXu]

Hello~ I have a question. I wasn't diligent about cleaning rosin off my violin, so as you said in the video, the rosin dust did start sticking to the varnish. How do I fix it? Bring it to a music shop and put more varnish on it? Thanks!

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

@Amy Zhao Good question.sometimes you can get it off with a very slightly damp cloth, but if it's a nice violin, take it to your violinmaker for a service.

[@eriknystrom5839]

What about when it’s gets to dry, like in Sweden in winter.

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Dry is often not as bad as extreme humidity... the problem is sudden changes in humidity. You could humidify the case for a few days during the change over. If timber dries too quickly, it can crack

[@yulianaalexandra2385]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Olaf, how do you humidify the violin case?

[@mx_godbehere]

@@yulianaalexandra2385 You can get purpose-made case humidifiers. There are many different styles. Most are just meant to add humidity to the case. Some are intended to actually regulate the case humidity. Just be careful with case humidifiers. If you get a cheap/bad one that leaks, it can damage the instrument. And even if you do have a good one, taking an instrument out of a humidified case and into a dry room can cause damage as well. Consistent humidity is better than rapid humidity or frequent changes.

[@buecherwuermin]

Why do professional musician prefer using the pegs instead of having fine tuners? Wouldn't fine tuners enable them to tune their violin more easily and exact?

[@codexone2194]

I know this comment is old, but maybe you still wonder. Fine tuners choke the sound of the violin. You can't project well while having fine tuners.

[@bily4566]

Cotton absorbs moisture

[@bily4566]

You could do several videos on cleaning and people will still ask what way can I best care for my instrument

[@swooshtx]

🐰 Don't touch the hare down there 😂 The hare down under!

[@feimimi]

Olaf's videos never fail to make me smile and they're so educational aaa 😌🥺

[@djgonzales9364]

Is kevlar a good tailgut mr. olaf?

[@philippashirkey2192]

to be fair, that's how I got my violin :D

[@hermanmiller5549]

Here in sweden we got the opposite problem. Always too dry 😅

[@violagang842]

Great video! I think as music teachers, we share some responsibility in educating our students on how to care for their instruments. I know I was always sent to wash my hands when I arrived for a lesson at my teacher's house. He even made me clip my fingernails on one memorably embarrassing occasion! Now I play viola in my local community orchestra and our concertmaster has a white rosin patch all stretching almost from one f-hole to the other. I am very triggered! Instrument abuse!! It's almost as bad as the trombonist who drinks coke and eats peanuts whenever the brass aren't playing. EEK!

[@DomesticatedGoth]

"Instruments within 3km of the ocean" Firth to the east of me, Lochs to the west, and I'm stuck in the middle with glue :P

[@JoanKSX]

Oh no! I literally live quite close to the sea (literally around 4km)! And the river is like less than 1 km! =O Play in an air-conditioned room will be good enough to prevent all these horrible disasters? I think I better buy an used plywood but good condition and sounding nice double bass in case I find one hmmm

[@pablodesarasate499]

today i was practicind spiccoto and my ferrel hit the corner of the c bout and took a small chunk out of the c bout and it is a rented and the scream at the beginning was what i was feeling then. i love my violin i found the chunk but becouse it is a rental i don't know if i can send it to a luthier

[@xorcst]

how many times have you fixed Bretts and Eddys violins?

[@hmr101wylde]

You mention trying to keep your instruments in a dry environment.Can I assume that's because the typical environment is australia is very high humidity? In Canada our winters are often very low in humidity (My apt has dropped as low as 10%) and for the health of my guitars and myself I need to humidify my apartment. Aiming for roughly 50% humidity seems to be the recommended level. I assume you would want the same for just about any wooden instrument, including violins. Is there something different about a violion's construction that requires atypical dryness?

[@brumbybailey6599]

Yes, where he lives is very humid.

[@Cal94]

I usually cleaned my violin after playing... But when my sis took over when I left highschool, my sis... Did not. It's now kinda caked with rosin... I was not pleased to see it, mid sis' highschool career... Also, she has super clammy hands, and never wiped it down in general...

[@lcs8412]

Show the repair of the French violin too hehe

[@UCZetaGundam]

Is it good to put some silica gel inside the violin case?

[@a.s.clifton544]

You might also look into Boveda packs. They will keep the Rh consistent.

[@CrossoverGenius]

I live in a desert, so often I have heard (specifically about guitars) that it is important to make sure the room is humid enough that the wood does not dry out and crack. Is this just a guitar problem, or is it possible for violins to dry out as well? It’s funny, coming from such a dry climate, to hear about a room being too humid.

[@gerardmanvussa5159]

I've had a crack on the table, due to the dry climate ...south France

[@violagang842]

I had my violin crack along a glue seam when I moved to a very dry climate. The luthier who repaired it told me they don't recommend humidifiers for normal use. He said cracks are normally only a problem when there are huge swings in humidity. Once the instrument is adapted to the dry climate, it should be fine.

[@BillCadmus]

Time for some new shirts!

[@bily4566]

What is your recommendation for rosin for your bow for best sound

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

I like Melos and Leatherwood Eco... Personal choice though. There are lots of good rosins out there

[@RmDIrSudoSu]

Hi Olaf, great video, I see that I already do most of these. But I've a question, my luthier told me to put something with water on top of the fireplace to avoid having the room too dry, and also to use one of those sponge into a tube to keep the interior of the instrument humid, but here you say that moisture is the worst enemy for the instrument. So I suppose that too dry is also something to avoid? Or is it something more specific?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Hi, Im not a huge fan of creating a different climate inside the instrument to outside... Hanging up a damp cloth can increase the humidity on a room. Instruments don't like sudden changes from humid to dry, so it's better to ease the violin into the dry. Also some older instruments sound better in higher humidity, because it smells the timber around the old cracks.

[@RmDIrSudoSu]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker Thank, it is in fact an old instrument, we don't know the exact date because there is only the signature of the Luthier that made it inside, but it is a violin that was modernized (there is a join between the scroll and the neck, and couple of other things that the luthier point out), so from what I understood it was probably build before the 1830 or 1850. We don't really know which violin maker did it because it is only sign Cabasse and it is a familly with multiple luthier. I would like to make an expertise of it someday to know exactly who built it, but it is an old mirecourt apparently. I know that every luthier that saw it find it to be quite an interesting instrument, it is by no mean a great violin, the sound is good for orchestral use but I would never use it if I were to play as a soloist. But also why those damp things are so much use nowadays? Every Cellist in my orchestra use them, and the same goes for every violinist who were at the queen Elizabeth competition. But both my parent never used them and never had problem with their instrument, and apparently you're not fond of it either. So I never quite understand and followed what the luthier told me, apparently it was mainly because I'm using a stove that he recommend me to use it. I suppose because a stove changes the humidity level quite rapidly.

[@olgatatar]

Hi Olaf, I have a question about storing the violin. I hang my violin on the wall because 1) better incentive to practice and 2) it is from the reach of my younger siblings (I have had them stomp on top of my case which I keep hidden. Luckily my violin wasn't in there). Even though I keep humidity in check and wipe down the violin every time I practice, which is often, is there major concerns for hanging up my violin as opposed to keeping in a case?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Hi Olga, Unfortunately it is never good to keep instruments out... they just end up with a lot more wear and tear... I have to do a lot of maintenance to keep all my instruments hanging up looking and working well. I really do understand what you mean about incentive. It's a difficult one, but maybe set reminders?

[@arvetis]

I'm pretty sure discrimination against violas is legal.

[@michaelrg3836]

Violaphobia: (n.) the irrational dislike and prejudicial treatment of a minority member of an orchestra, specifically the viola.

[@JoanKSX]

No!

[@sting1111]

how do you store a violin for long term. do you remove the bridge, loosen strings?

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

If you are looking at storage for over a year, you can either really drop the string tension or remove the bridge and tailpiece. You could then wrap the instrument in a silk scarf and keep it in a case... Make sure you prevent mould growth by keeping the inside of the case dry. Also make sure that no parts rattle around inside the case.

[@hanwenlou9022]

I think I’m being watched.

[@mignuscarlsen5613]

Hello Olaf! I installed a new e string since my previous string broke but the peg keeps sliding and I viewed your solution but still the peg is slipping. I already snapped a e string from attempting to install it but the peg snapped it. Do I need some kind of peg cleaner? Thanks

[@bentibz2750]

Coming from a beginner, I heard to keep the peg from slipping add peg paste or chalk. If the peg is tight add soap

[@zhouyun654_]

Hi Olaf, Can violin rosin be used on a viola bow?

[@unbekannternutzer25]

Most kinds of rosin are for violin and viola (sometimes also cello) anyway. So as long you don't have one that only says "for violin" or something like that, it should be good. @Flugzeugfliegemagie yes, viola bows are usually a bit heavier because you need more pressure to make sound.

[@davidsongsong1513]

is it just me, my tuning fork became out of tune for a couple of years using it it became Ab..is it possible? thats why i dont use tuning fork anymore

[@terminaterpro]

If you practice 40 hours a day you never have to keep your violin And i like the master yoda on your shirt

[@axelloa.a.6563]

This happened to my very first violin, it was completely dismantled in its own case Oh and that T-shirt

[@narendranramakrishnan9594]

Is oil varnish superior to spirit varnish? Does oil varnish provide any tonal advantage over spirit varnish? Why do more expensive instruments use spirit varnish?

[@AulisA.O.T]

0:10 AaaAAaaAAaaAAaaAA-

[@larastrife7920]

Que susto 😂😂😂

[@DivaDeb1234]

The back of your thumb many times touches the hair on the bow just in general playing

[@runrig97]

I left my violin in a car once, when I opened up the case, just the tail gut was broken, so the tailpiece was no longer attached. Could've been a lot worse :-)

[@jmvicete3208]

Do you have a website? 😅

[@bohuslavpavlyshynets]

theviolinstudio.com if I am right

[@Johnnisjohnnis]

Headphone warning

[@poodle3507]

"You can do the same if you've got a viola or cello we don't discriminate here?" and no bass 😢

[@bonzodachimp6897]

we do discriminate just a little bit i guess

[@anupamadavid3321]

The same thing is happening to me right now my bridge is....... Oh no......

[@ishatbhuiyan2273]

What if someone broke a Strad? 🤨🧐🤔

[@bily4566]

Should loosen the bow for storage

[@rob_odd]

,,You can do the same if you've got a viola. We don't discriminate here." Laughs in TwoSet :D To be honest I am new to TwoSet's channel and I don't quite understand the viola jokes.^^ Is it the same as with the tattoo jokes?

[@ix_mscz]

Haha... Yoda shirt

[@raykupal]

i replaced my pegs with perfection pegs🤩

[@grapesofwrath361]

Questions: the varnish is completely destroyed on the side of my violin because I sometimes (most unintentionally) hit the frog on it. The wood is exposed, and it is a $1500 instrument. What should I do? How can I avoid this problem in the future? Does this happen often? I love my instrument and I want the best for it. (Side note: I also have some rosin stain even though I clean my instrument after almost every 20min practice session and most definitely at the end of the day. So should I also repair that? And how can I avoid this problem In the future?) P.S I know that I should be asking my local luthier about this and I don’t feel entitled to an answer, but if you want to help (anyone+Olaf), that Would be greatly appreciated

[@Dansback21]

At what point do you say it’s not worth it to the customer and try to sell a new one?

[@crystalsenpai3299]

I forgot to clean mine yesterday ..

[@Jane306]

Olaf, please stay sane, no matter what harsh thing twoset had done to you. lol

[@BarbaraO-to6ph]

make me a cello, thanks! you can only get 5k though ;)

[@sirspongadoodle]

Fantas- intro… that edit kinda freaked me out

[@spellbinder6818]

3:40 “People actually touch the hair down there, it’s really gross”. Yes, I agree. If they must, they should wash their hands right after.

[@nathanaelhorton2942]

Well it’s kinda impossible if you play cello haha