I always keep an orange with my violin as I've heard that stops the case from getting dry. I'm sure it's probably not true, but the orange sure comes in handy after a stressful concert.
! That's what the nail clipper in a violin case is supposed to be for; not trimming your fingernails. A bow hair tool first and foremost. sometimes you could find one with a bottle opener on it, for the Irish Fiddler lol
Wait a sec! My musician friends lied to me. They said it's mandatory to have a hip flask of whisky in there for "lubricating the strings". But Olaf didn't mention that!
Rosin and cleaning cloth is essential. Tuning fork is nice to have if the app fails or you run out of batteri in your phone where you have the app. Easy the get and not relying on anuthing else. In my case I keep the last set of strings from the last time I changed, they will be a good temporary replacement if a string break. When it comes to pictures I have a label from a danish beer bottle, a label from a classic swedish vodka brand and a picture of myself lying in the grass after been drinking the other two to remind me not to do it again. I also keep a card eith my name and adress in case the case get lost.
Everything you listed I have in my violin case except an extra E string. I also have something very similar to a tweaser but thinner to pull the new strings in the peg holes. I got it from my overlocker sewing machine that is used to thread my overlocker. I got a spare one from a sewing machine repairer.
I've got most of these things in my case (including an electronic tuner instead of a tuning fork: while I use my phone for lots of things, I find the electronic tuner more accurate), and these days I also keep a spare bridge. When I took my violin to my luthier in '19, I had her fit two bridges, and that second bridge came in handy during the lockdown, when I couldn't really go to her place: take the old strings and bridge off, pop on the new strings and bridge. When I returned to her place a couple years ago, I told her about that and asked her to fit two bridges, one of which would be a spare in case the world goes screwy again (it could happen). She was very understanding and thought that was a really good idea. That second bridge still lives in my case today, with the year and the fact that it's a spare noted on it in pencil.
It’s a short video but covers all the essentials in my opinion. Love it. I have also clothes pegs in my case. Use them for sheet music in windy settings or in hotels to practice (put the clothes pegs including the sheet music on curtains or something similar). Use them a lot on the go. Also have a toothbrush. But that‘s something personal. Hate unbrushed teeth.
I have a hotel.. thing… I always forget the name. The ruberthingy you put on the bridge to practice quietly. I live in an apartment. And I got twoset violins fabric sticker on my case so I remember to practice 😊
@@tonimcguire8588 the rubber one was the one my luthier has. It dampens the volume quite a bit so that’s good. I’m just scared to shift the bridge when I use it since it’s so bulky 😆
This was the most complete and essential case video that I've seen. I carry tweezers too, to help out the needlenose pliers. Also a toothbrush for my bow. A large paperclip will work if you lose the chinrest key. I tuck in non-essentials like a bit of wax for the fine tuners and a piece of replacement cork for the chinrest. Extra batteries for my microtuner with a tuning fork as a backup. Caterpillar and rubber mutes. I'm going to make a silk viola bag and that should do it. Oh, and distance reading glasses. But, seriously, only one cleaning cloth?
Toothbrush for your bow.... I learned about that one from a recent Ray Chen vid so that's now in my case too though separately bagged cos it's an oily item!
I was looking forward to this as I have a lot of stuff in my case. Mine also includes spare batteries for my tuner along with a face flannel and toothbrush (as advised by Ray) to brush the rosin into your bow... but excludes the pencil, pliers, hydrometer, nail file and a chin rest key (oh Lordy to that one). Yep, I've even got the TwoSet sticker on my case! Amazingly comprehensive list, Olaf.
+ a spare bow, tweezers (instead of pliers), small snack or candy, tissue, aspirin, a business card or piece of paper with your name and phone number in case the case gets "displaced" or someone needs to call you to demand a ransom
I totally agree! A spare bow is a must have! Twice in my life I have been saved by spare bows when having troubles with my main bows. It may be a very basic and inexpensive bow, but it really can make a huge difference.
The answer is. Based of my in adequate knowledge of not playing the instrument but building it if ypu will ”based on youtube” and then I mean a lot of knowledge. You kneed a Olaf and if not this is a doable thing listen carefully to him. Patrik 🇸🇪
Halfway through the video, waiting for the moment when Olaf picks up the violin case containing only the absolute essentials ... and finds it weighs 40 kilos.
Ahhh...interesting about the tuning fork. I've never seen you use one. I've had the impression that you just picked up the instrument and brought it up to pitch. I.e. having perfect pitch.
My local luthier always tunes below the standard 443 we use here. I doubt he does it on purpose due to his lack in basic luthier best practices. My teacher is better as a luthier than he is... it's really nice to have Olaf explain so well and get a proper reference to what I should look for when handing someone my violin.
I'm not a string player and always wondered how the instruments were transported in high humidity in the old days. Today with AC it should be easier. Reducing string pressure is obvious, but how did they manage 4 months at sea?
How do i buy an Olaf violin cleaning cloth to show my international support for your channel? I don't see it on your website... Shipped to the US? It would be a fun conversation piece.
How about a soft cleaning brush and electronic tuner? Is King Lion okay for strings? The cloth over the violin is a good idea. I never thought of that before.
Reminds me of the terrorist who wanted to hijack a train, so he's in the train to Amsterdam, he jumps up, opens his violin case, and there is a violin in side. oh dear he says as he get's arrested for yelling that it is a high jacking, wanting to grab his UZI.... So the police say, well you having a bad day aren't you? Well he says, "for me not so much, but my brother is playing at a concert in Amsterdam, Imagine his face when he opens his violin case to night".
I see you have many instruments hanging in your shop. This video is “things kept in the case”. My question is: is it best to store the instrument in or out of the case. Does it matter? In my location humidity swings are from 5% in winter to 80% summer.
Definitely in the case... I have a lot of instruments hanging up that are for sale. I have to actively manage them especially during humid times. Look through my videos I made one about the risks of high humility...
I have too many instruments to manage individually so I have climate- controlled music room, which on an island in New England requires humidifying in winter and dehumidifying in summer. They are all out of their cases. The room is a giant case.
I keep a picture of Paganini in my case, he’s the one inspiring me to 1. Keep playing violin. 2. Get long and thin fingers (like he has) 3. Look pale af (I need the look that makes people think I’m demon possessed)
I put all my extras like tools (bent needle nose pliers for jewelry work) and writing instruments in a a zip lock bag to keep it all together and to easily find it. I have the music separate because you use that more often.
Hi, I work for a junk company, i found a violin, inside has a sticker and the sticker says ANTONIO LOVERI violin maker = W. TONK & BRO Co.= (it's has a sing) SOLE - IMPORTERS. COPY OF JANURIUS GAGLIANUS ALUMNUS ANTONII STRADIVARII FECIT NEAPOLI Ao:1727 GERMANY. CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THIS AND TELL me if this is good or doesn't have value, thanks.