Fact: Wood and other materials expand and contract as relative humidity (RH) levels increase and drop.
Fact: Shifts and extremes can cause rupturing to glue and/or wood joints in instruments and a breakdown of wood fiber, cracks in finish, loose braces, string buzzing, and more; it can affect synthetic materials too.
Fact: Both too much and too little RH can stress an instrument. Also, a sudden and significant change in relative humidity can be more of a threat than is the RH level itself.
Every year, band parents and orchestra parents invest hundreds of dollars in fine violins, guitars, cellos, pianos, drums and other instruments made with wood. If they've purchased from a dealer who cares enough to send them home with some semblance of an instruction manual, they have a better chance of caring properly for the investment and insuring its optimal performance for their child. If they've purchased it through an ad - either in the local newspaper or online through eBay.com or a similar auction website - they may be headed for a bit of trouble.
Storage, RH control, and common practices to protect stringed instruments and other wood-based instruments from damage are not rocket science, but since these are instruments in the hands of young children or young adults, everyday stresses and mishandling can easily occur.
Fortunately, some basic guidelines will take care of the issue and ensure a long life for the instrument. An added benefit is that children may take a greater interest in their instruments if they have neat scientific tools to help them do so and exacting guidelines they must follow to protect their "charges."
The best RH for most musical instruments is between 35% and 55%, depending on the instrument and the temperature. A good thing to remember is that stringed and other musical instruments are happiest in temperatures and humidity levels that feel good to people.
When it's too dry, wood will begin to contract. Some areas commonly experience RH levels of 60% or higher in the warm months, and this will cause wood to expand. A sudden shift in RH can happen when an instrument is taken out in the heat or cold and then brought indoors, where a sudden temperature shift takes place. What can be done to offset or avoid these extremes and shifts?
If the humidity levels are low, you can purchase and use humidifiers designed for musical instruments like guitars and violins. You add moisture to them as instructed and keep them in the instrument case. Some are designed to last longer and others are made especially for smaller instruments. For pianos, humidity levels can be controlled with humidity systems attached to the heating system in a house or building and with air conditioning in warm, humid conditions. There are humidity control devices designed specifically for use with pianos also.
If humidity levels are high, you can use silica gel packs. These are desiccants (they absorb or adsorb moisture), some of which are actually responsive to RH levels so that they begin to release moisture once the relative humidity drops below a certain level, can be placed inside piano cabinetry and the cases that house stringed instruments.
It is advised that you purchase and regularly use a hygrometer, which measures relative humidity. The music industry is right in step with the needs of consumers and provides many options that work well. Some attach to the inside of an instrument case. You can use a hygrometer to keep tabs on the RH in your home too. These are available through HVAC technicians and supply outlets. Hygrometers are available in digital or analog styles.
In terms of setting up humidity controls inside your instruments case: It's best to attach a hygrometer (one designed for use in a case) to the outer side of your case's accessory compartment on the body side of the case. If you are using a humidifier too, place it inside the accessory compartment. Setting up these items in this manner prevents the hygrometer from measuring the moisture that's coming out of the humidifier.
If necessary, have a room where musical instruments are kept and used and maintain optimal humidity in this more manageable space.
You can also follow a few other guidelines to keep your instrument in good shape:
Keep violins, guitars, cellos, etc.in their cases when not in use. It is much easier to control the temperature and humidity in this smaller area than it is to control conditions in a room or house.
Keep instruments away from sources of extreme temperatures, such as direct sunlight, space heaters, fireplaces that are in frequent use and windows and doors.
Never leave an instrument out in a vehicle. Bring it in with you. If there's a notable difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, leave the instrument in its case for up to an hour to allow it to acclimate.
Never leave an instrument in the attic or the cellar, even if it's in the case. These areas experience wide shifts in relative humidity and temperature.
Caring for an instrument well does more than protect its integrity and life. Doing so also provides youth with opportunities to take responsibility in small ways, a good exercise that will prove beneficial later in life.
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