Summertime brings joy, outdoor concerts, and unforgiving heat — and you’re not the only one looking to escape the sweltering temperatures. With summer in full swing, it’s crucial to consider how the heat impacts not just your plans but also your violin.
Understanding the effects of high temperatures on your violin can help you protect your prized instrument from costly and possibly irreversible damage. Here’s what every violinist needs to know to keep their instrument in harmony with the summer season.
How Heat Can Affect Your Violin
Most violins are made of wood, which is vulnerable to changes in heat and humidity. Keeping your violin within the right temperature and humidity range can help ensure its longevity and performance quality. If your violin gets too hot, though, you might experience cracking, loose seams and components from melted glue, and damage to the varnish.
Cracking
High temperatures increase the rate of evaporation and can cause your violin to dry out, especially if it’s already below the recommended humidity level. Dry wood can lead to cracking. The top plate, back plate, and even the scroll are particularly susceptible to cracking and can be expensive to repair and may permanently affect the instrument’s tone.
Glue Melting
Violins are held together by glue, which can soften or melt under high temperatures. Melted glue can cause the violin’s components, like the neck, fingerboard, or seams, to come loose or detach.
Varnish Damage
The varnish on a violin enhances its appearance and protects the wood. However, high heat can cause the varnish to soften, become sticky, or even discolor, reducing its aesthetic appeal and protective quality. Sweat from your hands and fingers can also affect the varnish.
Do I Need to Worry About My Bow, Too?
If you have a wooden violin bow, it’s also susceptible to warping, cracking, and other damage caused by heat and humidity. But not all bows are as frail. A carbon fiber violin bow is a more durable option that can withstand more extreme temperatures and humidity levels, making it a fantastic alternative. Whether you live somewhere hot, cold, humid, or dry, you won’t have to worry with a carbon fiber bow.
What Temperature Is Too Hot for a Violin?
If you’re comfortable, your violin should be comfortable. Generally, the best temperature range for your violin is in the 60s to 70s. Once you hit 90 and above, you risk damage.
It’s not always about the heat, though. Often the humidity that can accompany heat in certain climates is what you need to worry about. If the humidity is too high, the wood can warp. If it’s too low, you have to worry about cracking. You should keep your violin at 30 to 50% humidity.
Caring for Your Violin in the Summer
Properly caring for your violin during the summer is paramount, especially if you live or visit somewhere with extreme temperatures and weather. The three main factors you need to worry about are heat, humidity, and sunlight. Some tips for summer violin care include:
- Control the temperature and store your violin in an environment around 60 to 70 degrees.
- Invest in a humidifier or humidity control packs to ensure your instrument and bow keep the right humidity level.
- Avoid direct sunlight because it can cause the wood to warp or soften the varnish.
- Visit a luthier for regular maintenance to ensure your instrument is in great condition and catch any early signs of heat or humidity damage.
- Wipe your violin and strings after each use to remove rosin residue and sweat, which may be more prevalent in the hot summer months.
Can I leave My Violin in the Car?
You should never leave your violin in a hot car — even if it’s in a case. The temperature gets even hotter in a closed car, especially if it’s parked in direct sunlight. The temperature inside your car can quickly and easily exceed safe levels for your instrument.
Can I Play Outdoors in the Summer?
Maybe you simply want to enjoy some fresh air while practicing your violin, or maybe you were offered a gig that takes place outdoors. Either way, you might be wondering if it’s safe to play your violin outside in the summer. Yes, you can play outdoors, but you’ll want to take the right precautions.
- Play in the shade to avoid direct sunlight.
- Give your instrument time to adapt to the outside temperature. Going from chilly AC directly to 90-degree heat can be harmful to the wood. Place your case violin in a shady spot to let it warm up.
- Use a secondary instrument if frequently play outdoors to avoid damaging your primary.
- Limit your playing time to a few hours.
- Frequently wipe your instrument to remove sweat.
- Store your violin in a cool spot during breaks and after performing.
Don’t Stress Over Heat with a CodaBow
You have enough to worry about with your violin, don’t add caring for a wooden bow to the mix. Shop CodaBow for high-quality carbon fiber violin bows designed to withstand temperature changes and humidity. Whether you need a student, performance, or master bow, find what you need in our selection. Request an at-home trial today and discover the CodaBow difference.
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