How To Care For Your Instruments Inthe Fall

By Author: michal jordan
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As we move farther into the fall, the weather becomes more unpredictable. Fall can bring both warm and cold breezes, as well as showers and even snow, all within the same week, in some areas. It's hard to know what the weather will be like from one day to the next during this season.

These humidity and temperature changes can be exhausting for many of us to keep track of and adjust to. Yet, musicians have another challenge as well – the damage these weather conditions can cause to their musical instruments. We’re going to break down exactly how autumn/fall weather can affect your musical instruments and what you can do to protect them.

How Can Autumn Weather Affect Your Musical Instruments?

Science teaches us that most objects expand in the heat and contract in the cold. Like most other objects, musical instrumentsmay also expand and contract when subjected to significant temperature changes. At the same time, moisture and humidity can cause wood to swell, warp or crack, as well as make metal rust, which is true for musical instruments as well.

Therefore, the transitions from ...
... cold to hot or from dry to wet (and vice versa) that typically occur during autumn can be significantly harmful to your musical instruments and can lead to expensiverepairs if you’re not careful. Since musical instruments are not weatherproof, proper instrument care is crucial during this time of year.

What Can You Do To Protect Them?

When it comes to instrument protection during fall, the main rule of thumb is to try minimizing your musical instrument's exposure to temperature changes, wind, humidity, and rain.

The first thing you can do to avoid such exposure is keeping your musical instrument inside its protective case when you're done playing or cleaning it. After all, this is the primary purpose of a case: to safeguard your musical instrument from the adverse effects of moisture, dust, temperature fluctuations, and direct sunlight. Ensure that the case is tightly closed, and properly latched.Remember to occasionally inspect it for any gaps or holes. If you spot any signs of damage,repair or replace it as soon as possible.

As the level of humidity inside your home may rise during fall, investing in a hygrometer and a dehumidifier may be a good idea. The hygrometer will help you measure the humidity level in your home, and the dehumidifier will help you adjust it accordingly.

Of course, sometimes you have to travel with your musical instruments. As a musician, you might regularly tour around the world, performing in open-air festivals, or maybe even be a member of a symphony or quartet. In this case, trying to limit the amount of time your instrument will be out of the house might not be a viable option, but there are some things you can do to help minimize your risks.

If you’re musical instrument has been out in the cold for an extended period of time, remember to let it gradually warm up to room temperature before attempting to play it again. Use covers to protect it from rain whenever possible, and soak up any excess water or moisture with a towel as soon as you can. An important point to follow year-round is to avoid leaving your musical instrument in the car, where temperatures can fluctuate dramatically and rapidly.

What Can Clarion Do For You?

Regardless of whether your musical instrument is kept at home or travels with you, the best way to keep it safe and sound in the fall is by investing in musical instrument insurance. With Clarion Associates by your side, you’ll be protected against most of the dangers that may befall your instrument.

At Clarion, we've designed a specialized, customizable musical instrument insurance policy that offers worldwide coverage for damage due to weather conditions, as well as many other