The temperatures are dropping, the heat is coming on, and that means one thing for our musical instruments: dry air!
When we heat our homes, indoor humidity drops, which can cause problems for instruments, especially those made of wood. But don’t worry! A little preventative care goes a long way.
Here are a few simple tips to keep your instruments happy and healthy this winter!
Guitars, Basses & Ukuleles
Dry air can cause wood to shrink, resulting in buzzing strings, sharp fret ends, tuning issues, and even cracks in acoustic instruments.
Quick tip: Keep your instrument in its case when you’re not playing, and consider a case humidifier if your home gets particularly dry.
Violins, Violas & Cellos
These instruments are especially sensitive to humidity changes, which can affect tuning, seams, and the wood itself.
Quick tip: Store your instrument in its case and monitor humidity. If you notice an open seam or crack, have a professional take a look.
Pianos & Keyboards
Acoustic pianos contain a lot of wood, and changes in humidity can affect their tuning and mechanical components.
Quick tip: Keep acoustic pianos away from heating vents and radiators, and maintain consistent room humidity. Digital keyboards don’t need humidification, but should still be protected from extreme temperatures.
Woodwinds & Brass
Wooden woodwinds can be affected by dry air and sudden temperature changes. Reeds can also warp or behave differently depending on the humidity.
Quick tip: Swab out woodwinds after playing, store reeds properly, and keep up with regular cleaning and maintenance. Brass instruments don’t need humidifiers!
Singers, This Means You Too!
Your voice is an instrument, and winter’s dry air can leave your throat feeling irritated and your voice fatigued.
Quick tip: Stay hydrated, warm up before singing, and give your voice a rest when you’re sick or hoarse. A clean room humidifier may also help with dry indoor air.
Keep an Eye on Humidity
For many wooden instruments, 40–50% relative humidity is a good general target. An inexpensive hygrometer can help you keep track. Always check your instrument manufacturer’s recommendations.
Don’t Leave Instruments in the Car!
Extreme cold and sudden temperature changes can damage instruments. Bring them inside whenever possible, and allow a cold instrument to gradually adjust to room temperature before playing.
One Last Thing!
My general rule of thumb has always been:
“If you’re comfortable, your instrument is comfortable!”
Of course, keeping an eye on humidity is still important, but a stable, comfortable environment is a great place to start.
Need a Little Professional Help?
Sometimes your instrument needs a little more TLC than you can give it at home! If you’re noticing buzzing strings, tuning issues, or anything that just doesn’t seem right, here are a couple of local resources I’d recommend:
Guitar Setups & Maintenance
Whitsett Guitar Works | Andover, MA
978-454-1601
Winter is a great time to have your guitar checked out, especially if changes in temperature and humidity have affected how it plays.
Piano Tuning & Maintenance
Artie Doran
artiedoran@gmail.com
If your acoustic piano is sounding a little off, a professional tuning might be just what it needs!
And of course, if you’re not sure what your instrument needs, ask your instructor or someone at the front desk. We’re always happy to point you in the right direction!
Stay warm, take care of those instruments, and keep making music!
Thank you to our Real School of Music Instructors Chris, Mark, John, Ben, David, Everly, Don, and Zach for sharing their advice on ideal starting ages for music lessons by instrument! Meet all of our amazing music instructors.
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