While the quality of the erhu bow greatly affects the tone your erhu produces, the condition of your bow is equally important in ensuring you get the best out of your erhu.
Here are some tips on how to maintain and care for your bow:
1. Keep the bow hair away from oil, grease, wax or soap.
Keep your fingers off the the hair as well because of the oil on your fingers may contaminate the hair.
2. Make sure there is enough rosin on the bow before playing.
You may damage the microscopic scales on the hairs of the bow if you do not apply enough rosin while you play. After playing for 1-2 hours, reapply rosin again.
3. Loosen the tension after use.
This is to preserve the shape and elasticity of the bamboo of the bow, especially if you like to play with a high tension.
Four. Clean off the rosin from the rod and hair and store it in a plastic cover if you are not going to use it for a long time.
Five. Wash the hair with non-oil based shampoo
If the bow hair is dirty, oily and losing its grip, you can wash it with non-oil based shampoo. Avoid using oil based soap.
6. Change your bow at least once a year.
Professional erhu players change their every 6 months.
They are very cheap compared to violins & # 39 ;!
