How Temperature Changes Can Affect Your Instruments

 

 

As a musician, playing in extreme weather conditions can be rather challenging. Regardless of what musical instrument you are playing — heat, cold, rain, and even high humidity can all make you feel uncomfortable and impact your performance. You won’t play the same if the cold wind is whipping your face and your fingers are freezing, or conversely, if you can’t stop sweating or feel like you can’t breathe because of high humidity.

 

While bad for your performance, bad weather can also affect your musical instruments, affecting each instrument in unique ways. While all musical instruments may face damage due to temperature and weather changes, string instruments, woodwind instruments, drums, and pianos will all react differently.Continue reading to discover helpful tips on how to prepare for seasonal changes and better protect your instruments.

String Instruments

 

In the case of string instruments like guitars, violins, and cellos, heat and cold can cause the strings to expand and contract. Simultaneously, these conditions can also cause the wood to warp or even crack, and the glue that holds the instrument together may start to dry and detach. In the best-case scenario, these will affect your sound quality, and in the worst-case scenario, the damage will be irreparable. To prevent this, string instruments should be stored in a weatherproof case in a temperature range between 72-77°F with humidity levels of around 45-55%.

Woodwind Instruments

 

Woodwind instruments like flutes, clarinets, oboes, and bassoons are subject to various forms of wear, such as shrinking, expanding, drying out, and cracking. While avoiding excessive temperature swings is vital, managing humidity is also essential. The recommended level of humidity your woodwind instruments should be exposed to is no more than 40-55%. As far as temperature levels go, try to avoid playing your instrument if it feels cold to the touch. Allow it to gradually warm up by holding it under your jacket for about half an hour before playing.

Brass Instruments

 

Brass instruments are less susceptible to damage from heat and humidity than other instruments, but there are still some tips to keep in mind. For instruments like trumpets, saxophones, tubas, and trombones, corrosion and bacteria growth are common in hot and humid environments. Therefore, you should make sure you always keep them clean, oiled and stored correctly in a weatherproof case when not in use. Avoid temperatures higher than 78℉ and humidity levels greater than 50%.

 

 

Drums

 

Drums can be a bit finicky as opposed to other instrument types. High levels of humidity can damage the wood in your drums and cause your drum-heads to warp, while low levels of humidity can make them dry out and crack. Simultaneously, low temperatures can cause the wood to contract, making the drum-heads tighter and resulting in a higher pitch. Try to keep the drums in a thermos-table environment and avoid exposure to direct sunlight if possible.

 

Keys

 

As proper conditions produce better sound, how you take care of your instruments is vital to their performance. This type of musical instrument is also subject to the harmful effects of high temperature and humidity. In a piano, excess moisture and heat can cause the bushings to swell. As a result, the time between when you hit a key and when the hammer hits the string will increase, causing the keys to feel sluggish. To prevent this, ensure adequate ventilation and humidity levels of around 40-45% for prolonged performance.

 

 

Do’s and Don’ts

 

Although the recommended storage temperatures, humidity levels, and care process for each musical instrument may vary, there are some universal dos and don’ts to abide by when it comes to protecting your musical instruments.

 

●      DO store your musical instrument in a protective weatherproof case when not in use. Always make sure the case is secured and closed correctly.

●      DON’T expose your instruments to extreme temperature changes.

●      DON’T expose them to extreme humidity, as this will be detrimental to its performance.

●      DO regulate the temperature where your instruments are stored.

●      DO invest in a hygrometer, as well as a humidifier or dehumidifier, if needed. The first will help you measure the humidity level in the air, while the latter will help you manage and adjust it.

 

Get Full Instrument Protection

 

Sometimes, doing your best to protect your musical instrument during the seasonal changes may not be enough. Therefore, getting full protection with a specialized musical instrument insurance policy is something you should consider.At Clarion Associates, we create customizable musical instrument insurance policies to meet your needs. We offer worldwide coverage, as well as an array of other benefits you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us for a quote today and see for yourself why we are trusted by thousands of musicians and musical instrument owners the world over.

How to Protect Your Instruments This Hurricane Season

Owning a musical instrument is one of the most significant investments you can make. Depending on the material it is constructed from, the year it was manufactured, the previous owner's identity, and even its rarity, a musical instrument can end up being worth a lot of money. To help protect your investment, proper instrument protection and care are essential for any dedicated musician or collector. 

Ensuring that their musical instruments are safe and secure from the weather, and natural disasters, is a common concern amongst instrument owners worldwide. Hurricanes and storms are two of the most damagingand common events that can ruin your musical instruments. 

Thankfully, we've created this brief guide to help you stay protected. Read on as we cover everything you need to know about protecting your instrument during this hurricane season.

Tips toKeep Your Instruments Protected

While each musical instrument may require specific procedures and care, some tips can apply to all instruments – essential information that every musical instrument owner should keep in mind. To prolong your musical instrument's life and save on maintenance and repair costs, you should keep it clean and free of dust and debris, as well as storing it away from humidity, heat, and direct sunlight.

However, during hurricane season, you need to be even more alert as extreme weather conditions canirreversibly damage your musical instruments. Tropical storms and hurricanes can cause flooding and extensive damage to your property, and as a result, your musical instruments as well. The number one factor that can affect your instruments during a storm season is moisture, so you must do everything you can to protect them against it. 

So, the first thing you should do to protect your musical instrument during hurricane season is to make sure you store it in a protective hard case,and away from moisture,when you are not using it. Also, always ensure that you have closed and secured your case correctly. Be sure to periodically check your case for any gaps or holes where water can enter, and replace or repair your case as soon as you spot the slightest sign of damage.

Another thing that can save your musical instrument in the event of flooding caused by a hurricane is placing it somewhere elevated off the ground, like on a high shelf. You should also keep it away from places inside your home that could potentially leak during a storm. 

Since humidity can affect your instrument, it would be wise to invest in both a hygrometer and a dehumidifier. The hygrometer will measure the level of humidity in air, and the dehumidifier will help you adjust humidity inside your home when the level rises. 

Moreover, during a hurricane or storm, there is also the danger of heavy objects inside your home falling down or even entire sections of your home collapsing. As such, storing your musical instruments away from heavy items in your home is another good practice you should consider. 

Get Comprehensive Coverage

Unfortunately, sometimes even taking these precautions won't be enough to protect your instruments. Things can rapidly get out of hand during high-risk hurricane seasons, so the best thing you can do to make sure your musical instrument stays protected is by insuring your investment. Comprehensive and customizable coverage from Clarion Associates is here to protect you and your musical instruments from almost anything life can throw at you.

At Clarion, we offer you the protection you need, so that you can work on your music rather than worrying about your instrument. We have developed unique, customizable policies specifically designed for musical instrument owners, with features and benefits you won't find anywhere else, including comprehensive coverage against damages from extreme weather conditions and events.

Get Clarion Insurance

Regardless if you're an aspiring artist, a seasoned musician, or even an instrument collector, Clarion Associates has a solution for you. Our policies are designed to be as flexible as possible while still providing the protection you need to give you the peace of mind you deserve.

At Clarion Associates, we have over 50 years of insurance industry experience. We have spent the last quarter-century focusing our efforts on insuring musical instruments for thousands of musicians worldwide. Contact us for a quote today, and see for yourself why we've been endorsed and recognized by some of the world's leading musical associations thanks to our comprehensive, customizable coverage.

Things you need to consider when you own a Cello

Are you a cello player? Do you own the instrument? Well, there are quite a few things that the beginner instrument player may not know, which will help them understand a bit more about the instrument. For one, it is important for you to fine-tune the instrument, and make sure you skillfully play the same. Apart from that, every cello player ought to have their individual style when playing the instrument.

Apart from playing the instrument, you need to consider a few points that are related to the cleaning and maintenance of the instrument. A soft cloth is an essential when you intend to clean the instrument. Here we will take you through the pointers that will help in ensuring a long-life for the instrument.

Opt for shoulder rest

A good shoulder rest is an essential in your case. Why? The reason being, as a beginner you are not used to the odd positions in which the instrument is held for the purpose of easy playing. The shoulder rest would give you a good support, and make playing the instrument easy for you.

Posture is important

A good and flat music stand is essential. The posture and technique problems are resolved if you have a good music stand. Make sure it is flat and comfortable.

Guidance is not restricted to instructors

Every student evolves when they read about the music that they can create, and learn more about the instrument. There are books crafted for the beginners, and you should invest in them. You can always ask your Cello Insurance to help you select the right books for your needs.

Never practice without a bit of tuning

A good tuner or metronome is essential in your case. This will help you connect the instrument with the smartphone or tablet. The card makes your instrument always available, and helps you practice anywhere at anytime. You will need to clip it onto a certain part to make sure you can negate the noise, in case you are playing in a noisy area.

Rosins need to be cleaned too

Have a rosin in your case all the time along with the bow and the instrument. In case, you need to clean the rosin off the dirt, make sure you have a soft cloth in the case.

Own spare strings in your case

A set of spare strings help you save the day. If you are traveling for work, and your string breaks or gets damaged, the extra pair can always be tuned in, and you are ready to perform. You won’t need to travel the entire place in order to find a string that will suit your instrument.

Avoid moisture prone area

Dampits help keep the instrument dry in moisture prone area. If you are traveling to places with low humidity levels or places that are known for the moisture, then you should have them in your case. A carbon fiber bow is a good idea. It is an investment but definitely worth it. They bear good quality and are pretty sturdy. An endpin stop or anchor is also a good investment for your instrument.

Apart from all the self care that you cater to the instrument, make sure you invest in a good cello insurance, as that will prevent all the extra costs that you might incur in service, repair and maintenance of the instrument.