How to Position the Bridge on a Violin, Fiddle, Viola, Cello or Upright Bass

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Verify that your sound postis properly installed and in the correct position.

   Cello and Bass place your instrument in a stand or have someone carefully hold it while you face the instrument. , Cello and Bass place as many fingers as you can comfortably fit on the bridge feet at the bottom of both sides of the bridge. , See first image.
   
   Cello and Bass if both feet together do not move easily, carefully move one bridge foot at a time. , Repeat if necessary until you have success Be aware that the sound post and bridge can dislodge if the strings become too loose.
   
   Wait to re-tune. , Cello and Bass carefully lay your instrument over on its side to sight between the bridge and tailpiece. , Cello and Bass place as many fingers as you can comfortably fit on each side of the bridge, just under the strings and carefully push or pull the bridge top into position.
   
   If needed, slightly loosen the strings to facilitate moving the bridge top.
   
   Be careful to not move the bridge feet while adjusting the bridge top. , Start with the D (3) string, then the A (2) string, then the G (4) string and lastly the E (1) string.
   
   Please Note: during returning the bridge may tilt slightly forward.
   
   Readjust if necessary
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   Step 2: Verify that the bridge (1) and bridge feet (2) are in line with the f notches (3) in the f holes (4) on the top of the instrument (5).

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   Step 3: If the Violin

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   Step 4: Fiddle or Viola bridge feet need to be re-positioned

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   Step 5: place the instrument in your lap with the scroll and peg box pointing away from you (be careful to not let it fall).

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   Step 6: Violin

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   Step 7: Fiddle and Viola firmly grasp the bridge feet with your thumbs and first fingers near the bottom of each side of the bridge.

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   Step 8: Gently coax the Violin

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   Step 9: Fiddle or Viola bridge feet in the direction needed to align each foot with their respective f notches.

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    Step 10: If the bridge feet don’t easily move

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    Step 11: slightly loosen the strings and try again.

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    Step 12: Hold the Violin

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    Step 13: Fiddle or Viola up to eye level with the neck in one hand and sight across the top of the body looking between the bridge and tailpiece to see if the bridge is Perpendicular to the body.

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    Step 14: If the Violin

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    Step 15: Fiddle or Viola bridge top needs moving

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    Step 16: grasp the bridge with thumbs and first fingers just under the strings and carefully move the top until the back side of the bridge is perpendicular to the violin body top directly behind the bridge area.

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    Step 17: When the bridge feet are properly aligned with the f notches

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    Step 18: and the bridge back is perpendicular to the violin body top

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    Step 19: re-tune the strings.

Detailed Guide

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