When storing a string instrument, we care about two main factors:

1. Temperature
2. Humidity

These two variables are important as they have a major effect on how our instrument sounds. 

 

Temperature

Generally, we want to store our instruments in a room-temperature environment: nothing too hot or too cold. Avoid storing your instrument in an area with direct sunlight, directly next to a heater/cooler/air vent, or anywhere extremely cold/hot. 

 

Why do we do this?

The strings on our instruments are usually made of metal; when heated or cooled, metal changes shape.

 

If you store your instrument somewhere hot: the metallic strings will expand, causing the strings to become longer. Which makes your instrument’s strings’ pitches become flat (lower than the intended note).

 

If you store your instrument somewhere cold: the metallic strings will shrink and become both tighter and shorter. This will lead your instrument’s strings’ pitches to become sharp (higher than the intended note).

 

If your instrument is out of tune, you will have to retune it, whether that be adjusting the pegs or the fine tuners.

 

Humidity

Humidity is essentially the amount of moisture in the air. As string instruments like the violin, viola, and cello are made of wood, the amount of moisture in the air can have a large effect on the instrument.

 

When humidity is high (lots of moisture in the air), the wood in our instruments swells, which weakens the glue holding it together and can put excessive pressure on delicate parts.

Additionally, high humidity can cause mold to grow and can accelerate the wear-and-tear of your instrument’s strings. These can lead to permanent deformation of the instrument.

 

When humidity is low (low moisture in the air), wood shrinks and becomes brittle and fragile. This can lead to the pegs losing their grip and shrinking (causing your instrument to be incredibly hard to tune) and can, in the worst cases, lead to cracks and fractures in the body of your instrument.

 

How can I measure humidity?

Humidity is measured with a hygrometer. You may often find a hygrometer built into your violin case, usually as a dial.

 

Ideal humidity for string instruments is anywhere from 40-60%. If you find the area in which you store your instrument is too low or high humidity, consider investing in a humidifier kit. 

 

Happy Practicing!