As a professional musician, you may wonder how to care for your violin properly. Not only maintaining and cleaning them from time to time, but it also includes everything from when to play and what steps to maintain to take care of in the summer. So the question remains what temperature is too hot for a violin in summer?
The temperature of 90 to 105 degrees can be harmful to these stringed violins. Playing it at a maximum of 70 degrees is reasonable for all. as a result, it becomes hard for the violin to play in summer.
Wait! There’s still more to this. Go through this to know more!
- What temperature is too hot for a violin?
- Hot temperatures of violin compared to other string instruments?
- How weather can affect playing your violin
- 3 tips you can apply if the temperature is too hot for the violin
- 7 ways to protect violin in hot weather
- How to care for a violin in all weather
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature is too hot for a violin?
Violin strings can be damaged in excruciating sunlight and heat. Thus, most of the time, musicians, especially those who perform, have to take care of the outside temperature. Minute negligence can cost you a bunch.
If the outside temperature crosses 90 degrees, that’s your cue to stop it. The optimum temperature to play it is in the 60 to 70 degrees range. Though it might not affect your device in one day, it will work as a slow poison.
However, if you can choose a shady place and can play there, you are safe to go. It is not recommended as it poses a potential threat to the instrument.
Hot temperatures of violin compared to other string instruments?
The way the violin reacts to hot temperatures varies a bit with other string instruments. Again, there are some common meeting points between them too. To save your device, it would be sensible to learn the temperatures for those.
A comparison between violin and the common string instruments like guitar, ukulele, and banjo is important to know to have clear knowledge. Most stringed instruments have a temperature too high above 80 degrees.
So, let’s not waste our time and go for it.
| Factors | Violin | Guitar | Ukelele | Banjo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suitable temperature | 60 to 70 F | 20 to 32 F | 60 to 80 F | Below 90 F |
| Harmful temperature | Greater than 90 F | 32 to 90 F | Above 80F | Above 90 F |
| Humidity level | 40% to 60% | 40% to 50% | 40% to 60% | More than 35% |
| Damaged caused by extreme heat | Cracks on the body | Cracks on the body | Loosen the joints | Neck dry out |
How weather can affect playing your violin
The temperature is the main determining factor in how a violin will work. A clear understanding of everything – from hot to cold weather – can not only help you to play better but also solve your problems.
The effects can be severe to minor. In both cold and hot weather, violins show different reactions. As a result, let’s highlight some major facts to cover that.
Hot weather
As the glue from which the violins are made does not have the power to withstand the heat, above 80 degrees it started to show menacing impacts. The first sign is the loosening up of joints.
After that, in no time, you will start to notice great cracks. And that is enough to destroy your favorite violin.
Cold Weather
In cold weather, the device shows different types of side effects. This mainly happens due to the changing in the weather.
Okay, let us clarify what happens. With the varied temperature, the strings expand or constrict. This affects the overall crafting of the violin leading to breaking and cracking.
3 tips you can apply if the temperature is too hot for the violin
As you all know how frustrating the hot weather brings with it for the musicians, it is better to know how to prevent them. I know, you do not have any grasp over weather or climate, but you can take some measures to stop it.
Suppose you are stuck at a place where the temperature is too hot, what will you do? In this situation, there are some common measures to take such as, avoiding direct sunlight, using dehumidifiers, and playing in shades.
Other than this, there are myriads of other tips to follow. Wanna know? Have a look down!
1. Stand in the shade
When you accidentally bump into the hot weather, there is no way but to agree with your luck. And the best action you can take is to stand in shade.
2. Using dehumidifiers
As they are amazing stuff to reduce the humidity from the atmosphere, it is necessary to use dehumidifiers in hot weather. Surely, it will save the instrument. Checkout this Dehumidifier I personally use:
- App & Voice Control: Easily set up the Govee smart dehumidifier with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Access a variety of functions such as Auto Mode & Timer. Pair with Alexa or Google Assistant for voice control.
- 50 Pints Powerful Dehumidifier: The dehumidifier can effectively remove up to 50 pints of moisture per day (under 95°F, 90%RH conditions), effectively reduces humidity and maintains humidity between 45-55% easily.
- Continuous Drain: With the included drain hose, the dehumidifiers for home drain without needing to empty the water tank frequently. Manual Drain: Stop running once full and send you an instant App alert to remind you to empty the water tank.
- Healthy Balance Humidity Mode: The dehumidifier for basement Automatically adjust humidity levels to balance ambiance with a built-in sensor, keeping it at a healthy humidity range. Also use it for indoor spaces such as storage rooms or wine cellars.
- Convenient & Portable: The dehumidifier with drain hose can move around easily with 360° rotatable wheels. The digital panel that allows you to view the current humidity. Certified with Energy Star ETL, DOE and CP65, safe for your family.
3. Avoid direct sunlight
Don’t keep your violin under direct sunlight. Plus, avoid playing or giving performances there. It will be a lifetime loss.
7 ways to protect violin in hot weather
As you can see how much damage a simple temperature can cause, proper maintenance is always necessary. For these reasons, you may need to follow proper guidelines to ace the steps.
There are a handful of reasons to save yourself from unwanted damages. Like avoiding sunlight, skin contact, and many more. Won’t it be great if you covered everything in one place?
Well, here it is. Follow these 7 ways to protect your violin in hot weather.
1. Avoid extended exposure to sunlight
You already know how much dangerous it is. Thus, our suggestion would be to avoid this like plague.
2. Keep strings indoors
Most of us forget and keep the instruments here and there. It is a sheer loss of time and your precious violin. Always try to keep it indoors.
3. Don’t leave it in a hot place
Lot of the time we keep instruments in our cars. Eventually when the temperature rises inside can cause severe damage to the violin. For this reason, you are not recommended to keep the violin in the car.
4. Store it in case
Apart from the heat, the cold weather is a similar threat to a violin. But, you know what’s more problematic? The drastic temperature change! So, keeping in a case is recommended.
5. Care while traveling
While traveling, the temperature can also be changed dramatically. This usually happens at different humidity levels. No wonder, extra care is mandatory.
6. Avoid skin contact
In a sweaty and humid environment, it is better to avoid skin contact with the instrument. This can leverage to more damage.
7. Proper varnishing
The varnishing is required if you want to keep your violin safe and secure. That’s the main reason, why people are into polishing and varnishing.
How to care for a violin in all weather
Apart from the weather, your violin deserves a well-caring routine. Don’t think worth it? Then I must say, you haven’t yet enjoyed the real rhythm.
To take care of a violin, one must keep it in case, regularly clean it, be gentle, and much more. Let’s talk about them now.
1. Keeping in a case
You know without the case, using a violin is not much favorable. Use it and have great care of them because a good violin case can be durable in all weather even some violin cases are waterproof as well.
2. Regularly cleaning them
Cleaning is the key. Try to clean it once a week. If you can dismantle them and then clean them with the proper care.
3. Avoid changing the temperature
Choose the temperature wisely. If you move from one temperature to another, precaution is a must.
Final Thoughts
Good job, friends! With this, I hope you have gathered all the necessary data and info you need for your violin.
Follow them one by one heartily and you will find yourself blooming with these extra tips and tricks. Best of luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature is bad for a violin?
For the violins, a temperature above 70 degrees is a negative sign. But the real bad is when the temperature rises above 90.
Can heat damage a violin?
Heat can damage a violin severely. From losing the joints to cracking it has a whirlpool of power.
What temperature should a violin be stored at?
The optimum temperature of is store a violin is between 60 to 70 degrees. Plus, try to avoid sudden changes in the environment.
Can I leave my violin in the car?
You should never leave the violin inside the car. As the temperature inside the car is high, the damage is inevitable. Don’t experiment! Just leave it.
