Session Obsession

One of the things I love about living in Vermont is the change of seasons. However, they can be drastic. There is a Vermont saying that reads; “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute.” This isn’t a joke. This was my yard this morning when I woke up:

And this was my yard by late afternoon:

If you think this is drastic, think about how your instrument feels. The drastic change of seasons can be grueling on an instrument. There are many things you can do however, to keep your instrument from going into change-of-season-shock. Here are some tips to keeping your instrument safe and happy:

1. Humidify. Keep a humidifier in your case filled with water at all times throughout the winter. When a fiddle gets too dry, the glue can weaken and the instrument could crack. You also might find your pegs pop when you open the case if it’s too dry.
2. Keep it encased. I once had a teacher that said if you’re fiddle isn’t on your shoulder it should be in its case. It’s the safest place. Keep your instrument in its case when it is not being used.
3. Keep away from heat. Keep your instrument away from any heaters or drafts or drastic temperature changes. Try to keep your instrument in a place that has an even temperature all the time.
4. Don’t leave it behind. Don’t leave your instrument in the cold car.
5. Let it sit. When going from a warm house to a cold car to a warm house again, let your instrument sit for a little while before opening the case. This will allow it to adjust to the temperature in the room.