Music Stores
Music Stores in Fargo
We are very fortunate to have three wonderful music stores in the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo metropolitan area that serve orchestral players. Each offers instruments, supplies, and music:
​
​
​
Tuning Your Instrument
Tuning your instrument every time before you play is very important. Stringed instruments are very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. These changes often alter the pitch of your instrument.
​
If you are a beginner and the instrument goes so far out of tune that you need to use the pegs, ask for help from your teacher or somebody from one of the music stores. If you turn the peg too far one way, you might break a string.
​
Most of the time you can use your fine tuners to tune your instrument. Click here for a video to help you tune your instrument.
​
If you do not have a digital tuner, you can get an app on your phone.
Supplies to Maintain
Your Instrument
Dampit: A dampit keeps instruments humidified in the cold winter months. Changing temperatures and humidity can cause open seams and cracks in the wood of your instrument, so please do not leave instruments in very hot or cold places (i.e., in the car) for long periods of time. If you are concerned about humidity levels in your home, music stores offer humidity-control devices such as dampits, which can keep instrument humidity levels in check and help pegs from slipping.
​
You should always use your dampit when your furnace is running. A dampit is a green tube with a yellow sponge inside. To use the dampit, soak it in water, squeeze gently, and wipe off excess water before inserting it into your instrument's F hole.
Dampits should be checked every day. If the sponge inside is dry, you will need to add more water. Continue this all through the winter months.
​
If you would like to view a video about how to use a dampit, click here.
​
Rosin: Rosin is the sticky substance that you put on the horse hair of the bow. The stickiness creates friction between the bow and the strings, which produces a beautiful sound.
We recommend rosining your bow every three times that you use your bow. Be careful not to rosin your bow too often. Adding too much rosin will cause a "crunching" sound.
​
Click here for a video on how to apply rosin to a bow.
​
Cleaning Cloth: Cleaning cloths are used to wipe off rosin residue on the strings of your instrument. Always use a soft cloth. (Paper towels and most dish cloths are too coarse.)
Leaving rosin on the strings will make it difficult to produce a nice sound. The layers of rosin can quickly build up, also making it difficult to keep the strings clean.
You also want to wipe the rosin residue off the body of the instrument so that the rosin does not ruin the varnish and compromise the sound of the instrument.