String instruments are delicate and susceptible to variations in humidity and temperature. Your instrument's tone quality and structural integrity are particularly at risk in cold weather. Strings breaking or going out of tune, pegs popping out, seams opening up, necks falling or coming loose from their glue, and cracks appearing on the instrument's body or ribs are some problems violins and violas encounter in cold weather. Proactive steps to protect your beloved string instrument during cold weather are essential to guarantee its longevity and peak performance.
How Can I Protect My Violin?
Investing in a high-quality, well-insulated protec violin case, using a humidity regulator, and avoiding sudden temperature transitions and direct heat exposures are the most important steps to protect your valuable instrument and expand its lifespan. Here’s what you need to know for each of them.
Invest in a Quality Case
What makes a good violin case? Your choice of protective case for your violin should reflect your investment in the instrument. If you’ve bought a violin worth several thousand dollars, putting it in a case worth several tenners doesn’t make sense. Quality cases with solid construction, adequate padding and insulation also last longer, so you won't need to replace them when you get a new instrument. However, you can also find affordable quality options if you’re on a budget or a student.
You’ll notice different material options when shopping for a protec violin case, from condensed foam and water-resistant fabrics to wood, fibreglass and triple-ply structures made of high-performance materials (ABS, injected solid polyurethane foam, PETG) used in high-end models.
Various cases have various compartments and extras. If you have a lot of bows or sheet music, get a case that can hold them. Cases often contain one to four bow holders and one to four compartments. Make sure the case you select fits your storage requirements. They also come in different shapes catering to the various violin shapes available, so ensuring compatibility is critical.
Additionally, the violin's weight and portability are important factors to consider when purchasing a case if you’re a player who travels a lot. Opt for backpack straps and comfortable handles. Additionally, check out cases with a thermometer and/or a hygrometer so that you can keep an eye on the temperature and humidity level inside the case if your travels lead your instrument to undergo fluctuations in these parameters. A lock is a helpful feature if you must leave your instrument in public spaces such as a school classroom or backstage.
Maintain Optimal Humidity Levels with a Humidity Regulator
Cold weather frequently brings dry air, which can cause humidity levels to drop in many parts of the world. Your string instrument's wooden parts may dry out and shrink as a result, which could cause cracks, warping, or even exposed seams.
Although that isn't the case in many parts of Australia, we frequently use air conditioners to warm our indoor spaces during the winter, which also dries out the air. If you practice with your air conditioner running at home and then take it to a performance, lesson, or school where the conditions may be very different, it can seriously damage your instrument.
We advise using a humidifier or, better yet, a two-way humidity control device inside your case to help with that. Additionally, check out cases with a thermometer and/or a hygrometer to keep an eye on the temperature and humidity level inside the case if your instrument undergoes fluctuations in these parameters while travelling.
You could also buy a room humidifier to control the general humidity levels in your workspace or storage space. In any case, have a hygrometer in the room or within your case to monitor the levels and use a humidifier or dehumidifier as needed. For a string instrument, the optimal humidity range is 45% to 55%.
Avoid Direct Heat Exposure and Abrupt Temperature Changes
Rapid expansion or contraction of a string instrument's wood due to extreme temperature variations can result in structural damage such as cracks or exposed seams. Strings can also break because of drastic temperature fluctuations. If you tune your instrument in a warm setting and then the temperature drops a lot overnight, your strings will shrink, increasing the pitch and tension.
Ensure your instrument goes through gradual temperature changes to prevent these problems. For instance, before taking your instrument out of its case, let it gradually acclimatise to a warmer interior temperature if you've been playing it in a cold location.
It may be tempting to quickly warm up your instrument by placing it next to a fireplace or heater but doing that might be bad for its wellbeing. Rapid drying from direct heat sources might result in varnish damage and cracks. Rather, leave your instrument in its case at room temperature for a reasonable period to allow it to warm up naturally.
