Instrument Care
Humidity/ temperature change steps you should take to protect your instrument
String basics and how often to replace them
Bow basics and hair replacement
The instrument bridge and proper care and alignment
The fingerboard-dirt, arch protectors, and maintenance of it
Problem solving a pesky peg
Fine tuner adjustment
Other instrument adjustments
Structural damage from changes in humidity and temperature
Repairing open seams because of instrument expansion and contraction
Advise on cleaning your instrument
Humidity/ temperature change steps you should take to protect your instrument
Your instrument should to be maintained at a constant temperature and humidity level whenever possible. It is made of
wood and may constrict and contract with too much dry air and/ or sudden change in temperature. Instrument wood can
crack and/ or a major seam in the wood can occur which can be costly to fix.
Also, please do not store your instrument the trunk of your car, especially in winter when it is cold. The trunk of your car
is much colder than inside the main compartment of your car.
Please consider several affordable devises that, if used properly, can assist you in monitoring humidity levels in your
home, add humidity to your instrument case and home, and further protect your instrument with extra insulation.
Humidity and temperature sensor
The sensor, which can be kept wherever the violin is kept in your house, monitors the humidity of the room. The gauge
on the sensor should read 50% or a little less. Anything below 45% and your instrument could be in trouble. The case
doesn't protect the instrument from thermal changes unless you have a special cushy cover to protect it. Therefore, the
instrument can still be affected by being in a dry room or a dry locker at school.
Humidity and Temperature Sensor $19.99
http://www.sharmusic.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=HTS1&Cat=
Planet Waves Humidifier for Violin/Viola
The humidifier is placed in your instrument case and maintains humidity levels inside the case. Fill it with distilled water
every few days and allow the water to slowly evaporate in the case. This device can be attached inside the wall of the
violin case by velcro. Keep in mind the velcro may come loose over time.
Another option is a dampit or a humidistat (a small vial for water) that might have come with your violin cases. These
don't work quite as effectively as the Planet Waves Humidifier as the water evaporates much more quickly.
If you choose to use a dampit, please don't use it inside your instrument. This can damage the interior of your
instrument.
Purchasing the Planet Wave humidifier (or using a dampit) can be the MOST IMPORTANT action you take for your
instrument as it will help protect it from drying out while it is resting inside its case.
Planet Wave Humidifier for Cell $13.95
http://www.johnsonstring.com/cgi-bin/music/scripts/violin-viola-cello-music.cgi?itemno=ACCEPWHUM&action=2
Plane Wave Humidifier for Violin and Viola $11.95
http://www.johnsonstring.com/cgi-bin/music/scripts/violin-viola-cello-music.cgi?itemno=ACVVPWHUM&action=2
Cold air humidifier for your home
Consider a cold air humidifier during winter if you live in a hot, dry house. This allows a room to have constant humidity.
Keep your instrument in the same room as the humidifier when not played.
Also, please do not keep your instrument in a cold drafty room. Wood instruments and pianos don't like extreme cold
temperatures and can be affected by them.
Thermal protection bag for your instrument
Consider adding an extra layer of thermal protection to put around your instrument inside its case. You can buy or make
a bag made out of silk or satin. The extra layer of material protects the instrument from bow scratches in the case and
gives extra thermal protection when the case is taken outdoors.
Humidity/ temperature change steps you should take to protect your instrument
String basics and how often to replace them
Bow basics and hair replacement
The instrument bridge and proper care and alignment
The fingerboard-dirt, arch protectors, and maintenance of it
Problem solving a pesky peg
Fine tuner adjustment
Other instrument adjustments
Structural damage from changes in humidity and temperature
Repairing open seams because of instrument expansion and contraction
Advise on cleaning your instrument
Humidity/ temperature change steps you should take to protect your instrument
Your instrument should to be maintained at a constant temperature and humidity level whenever possible. It is made of
wood and may constrict and contract with too much dry air and/ or sudden change in temperature. Instrument wood can
crack and/ or a major seam in the wood can occur which can be costly to fix.
Also, please do not store your instrument the trunk of your car, especially in winter when it is cold. The trunk of your car
is much colder than inside the main compartment of your car.
Please consider several affordable devises that, if used properly, can assist you in monitoring humidity levels in your
home, add humidity to your instrument case and home, and further protect your instrument with extra insulation.
Humidity and temperature sensor
The sensor, which can be kept wherever the violin is kept in your house, monitors the humidity of the room. The gauge
on the sensor should read 50% or a little less. Anything below 45% and your instrument could be in trouble. The case
doesn't protect the instrument from thermal changes unless you have a special cushy cover to protect it. Therefore, the
instrument can still be affected by being in a dry room or a dry locker at school.
Humidity and Temperature Sensor $19.99
http://www.sharmusic.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=HTS1&Cat=
Planet Waves Humidifier for Violin/Viola
The humidifier is placed in your instrument case and maintains humidity levels inside the case. Fill it with distilled water
every few days and allow the water to slowly evaporate in the case. This device can be attached inside the wall of the
violin case by velcro. Keep in mind the velcro may come loose over time.
Another option is a dampit or a humidistat (a small vial for water) that might have come with your violin cases. These
don't work quite as effectively as the Planet Waves Humidifier as the water evaporates much more quickly.
If you choose to use a dampit, please don't use it inside your instrument. This can damage the interior of your
instrument.
Purchasing the Planet Wave humidifier (or using a dampit) can be the MOST IMPORTANT action you take for your
instrument as it will help protect it from drying out while it is resting inside its case.
Planet Wave Humidifier for Cell $13.95
http://www.johnsonstring.com/cgi-bin/music/scripts/violin-viola-cello-music.cgi?itemno=ACCEPWHUM&action=2
Plane Wave Humidifier for Violin and Viola $11.95
http://www.johnsonstring.com/cgi-bin/music/scripts/violin-viola-cello-music.cgi?itemno=ACVVPWHUM&action=2
Cold air humidifier for your home
Consider a cold air humidifier during winter if you live in a hot, dry house. This allows a room to have constant humidity.
Keep your instrument in the same room as the humidifier when not played.
Also, please do not keep your instrument in a cold drafty room. Wood instruments and pianos don't like extreme cold
temperatures and can be affected by them.
Thermal protection bag for your instrument
Consider adding an extra layer of thermal protection to put around your instrument inside its case. You can buy or make
a bag made out of silk or satin. The extra layer of material protects the instrument from bow scratches in the case and
gives extra thermal protection when the case is taken outdoors.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Latoya Lamons Director Orchestra Room Voice Mail (703) 799-6225 LCLamonsSloc@fcps.edu |
Carl Sandburg Middle School
Orchestras Alexandria, VA
Orchestras Alexandria, VA
 |  |  |  |  |
