HOW TO: Keep Your Violin Safe During Cold Weather

It's cold here in the Northern Hemisphere, and that means taking extra precaution to make sure our string instruments stay safe. Today, I’m sharing 4 quick tips to protect your violin in cold winter weather. If you'd like to learn how to keep your violin safe this season, keep reading.

Whether you’re heading to lessons, rehearsals, or gigs this winter, these tips will help you protect your instrument and avoid expensive repairs.

Tip #1 – Avoid sudden temperature changes

Violins are sensitive instruments that are notorious for being affected by changes in temperature and humidity. When you bring your violin inside after commuting with it in cold weather, it's helpful to leave it in its case for about 30 minutes before opening it. This helps prevent the wood from expanding too quickly, which can cause cracks or seams to separate. Giving your violin time to adjust will not only make it much easier to tune, as the pegs are more likely to stay in place, but it will help extend your instrument's lifespan too.

Bonus Tip: Be sure to loosen your bow hair when you're done playing — bows are sensitive to temperature and humidity changes too, and this simple step helps maintain the bow's integrity and keeps it in great shape.

Tip #2 – Keep your violin in its case as much as possible

Your case is your violin’s best friend during the chilly winter months! It’s essential to keep it closed and covered whenever you’re outside, even if you’re just making a quick dash from the car to the venue. Cold temperatures affect your instrument's wood and strings, so taking these precautions can really make a difference. If you live in a particularly cold climate and carry your violin outdoors often, consider investing in an insulated case cover or simply wrapping your violin in a thin scarf or silk bag before placing it inside the case, for added protection. This extra layer can help maintain a stable temperature, ensuring your violin stays in top shape all winter long.

Tip #3 – Monitor the humidity level

Cold air, especially during the winter months, tends to be quite dry, and the same goes for the heated air indoors, which can lead to some issues for your violin. When the humidity drops, the wood of your instrument can shrink, causing seams to open and potentially affecting its sound quality and structural integrity. To combat this, a case humidifier can be helpful to maintain a stable level of moisture around your violin. Additionally, keeping an eye on a hygrometer will allow you to monitor the humidity levels effectively. Ideally, you want to keep the humidity between 40 and 60 percent to ensure your violin stays in optimal condition and continues to produce beautiful music for years to come!

Tip #4 – Never leave your violin in the car

Leaving your violin in the car, even if only for a few minutes, can cause real harm to the instrument. Cars can become frigid in the winter, and when they warm up, the wood of your violin can become compromised, as we've discussed previously. This kind of stress on the wood and strings can alter the sound quality and overall integrity of your violin. That's why it's always best to bring your violin inside with you, no matter how quick your stop is, ensuring it stays in a stable environment where it can thrive and sound its best. Taking this small step can save you from costly repairs and keep your music-making experience as enjoyable as possible.

And there you have it! Those were my tips to ensure your violin AND you stay happy this winter — your violin since it'll be in a stable environment, and you since you'll be avoiding expensive repairs. For more on this topic, watch the video below!