Discolouration: Strings respond to their environment and as violin strings are wound in metal they react to air and over time will oxidise. Put another way, they rust. Keep an eye out for rough black patches on the strings.

Why is my violin string rusty?

Discolouration: Strings respond to their environment and as violin strings are wound in metal they react to air and over time will oxidise. Put another way, they rust. Keep an eye out for rough black patches on the strings.

Why is my violin string sticky?

Violin rosin is a hard substance made from tree resin, which is similar to tree sap. When friction is applied to a block of rosin, small particles will come off as a sticky, powdery, white substance. Rosin often comes in a round “cake” with a protective cloth, or is molded into a rectangular wood or plastic case.

What does violin rosin look like?

Violin rosin is made by heating fresh liquid resin, until it becomes solid. It smells a bit like pine and has a glassy, orange look. It also has a very brittle texture, which means that as soon as you accidentally drop it onto a hard floor, it can shatter like glass (the bugbear of every clumsy string player).

Is violin rosin toxic?

For potential human health effects, the totality of the data demonstrates that rosin has minimal toxicity. Rosin has no acute oral toxicity (i.e., LD50 > 2,000 mg/kg), and repeat dose toxicity data demonstrate no observed effect levels (NOEL) of approximately 105 – 200 mg/kg/day.

Why does my E string keep rusting?

Guitar strings rust quickly because of high moisture levels in the air or moisture left on the strings from playing with sweaty hands. Make sure you store your guitar in a room that isn’t too damp and humid, use high-quality strings and wash your hands before you play.

Should you clean rosin off violin strings?

The most dangerous kind of grime is rosin dust, which accumulates on the face each time a violin is played and can damage the varnish if it is not wiped away after each playing session. Rosin dust should always be wiped off the strings and fingerboard as well.

What happens if you inhale rosin dust?

Rosin dust is not harmful to your skin or your bronchial passages.

What happens if you eat bow rosin?

Anything can be bad for you but, generally speaking, eating rosin isn’t dangerous. Rosin is primarily tree sap so, sniff a tree and you’re doing just about the same thing. However, some people have allergic reactions to rosin dust.

Is it OK to clean violin strings with alcohol?

Refrain from using alcohol to clean your strings. Alcohol and other liquid solvents can damage and shorten the lifespan of your strings. Stick to simpler cleaning methods instead, like wiping off your strings with a dry cloth. If alcohol gets on your violin, it may damage the finish.