How to play music for longer: A comprehensive guide to taking care of your instruments

When you’ve invested in an instrument, looking after it properly will keep you playing for years to come. But if you’re a performing musician on tour or you frequently travel abroad with your instruments, taking enough care might start to feel like a challenge.

As of 2022, it’s estimated that at least 37,600 musicians work professionally in the UK.

No matter where you are in your career, protecting your instrument against damage, misuse or theft will help to secure your future. We’ve outlined a few practical tips and some of the best advice to help musicians keep their kit safe, no matter the distance.

Why do musical instruments need extra care?

In professional music, the quality of the instrument can determine the quality of the performance. Though this might not be true across every niche, it’s easy to tell that prestigious performances demand the highest levels of precision and craftsmanship.

Entry-level instruments should be treated with the same respect. A career can only be built through progress, and starting from scratch is not only humbling but necessary for many top musicians.

Some instruments are more fragile than others, but they must be physically protected. Slight knocks or bangs could damage the structure and sound of the instrument, and if the tuning apparatus is accidentally touched, a performance could be compromised.

Instrument care considerations for musicians

1. Daily and proper handling

Daily care routines shouldn’t be underestimated. Even when you practise playing your instrument, handling it properly and carefully could determine its longevity.

Focus on your handling techniques, learning the best ways to play without putting any extra strain on the instrument body or any of its components. Keeping it clean also prevents any damage that could be caused by dirt and dust ingress.

Basic maintenance routines might feel burdensome, but they prevent wear and tear. To help yourself and other musicians with their string instrument care, you could learn how to become a luthier as part of your career.

2. Environmental considerations

Where you keep your instrument makes a difference. No matter what you play, it’s important to remember that high levels of humidity and extreme temperatures should be avoided at all costs.

Most musical instruments are made using natural wood. Despite this being a light and durable material, it’s sensitive to changes in moisture levels within the air. In very dry air, the wooden parts of the instrument might crack.

Delicate instruments like guitar and violins could even shrink or twist in dry air, making it necessary to tune the instrument each time you play. Over time, repeated changes to the wood could permanently damage the natural tone of the instrument. And if the air is too damp or humid, mould might even begin to form inside the instrument.

3. Long-term protection

Routine professional maintenance helps you to protect the long-term value of your instrument. Along with making sure to get your instrument serviced regularly, you should get it covered too. Instruments carry financial and sentimental value, and so they can’t just be replaced.

Depending on the instrument you play, servicing could be tricky.

Violinists must seek a professional opinion and never attempt repairs at home. You might find that specialist violin insurance policies help you to find the appropriate solutions faster, especially if you wouldn’t be able to afford professional luthier services independently.

4. Maintenance and repairs

Instrument-specific care is worth researching if you’re taking your musical career to the professional level. Common issues experienced, as per instrument described, include:

• In guitars, fret wear and incorrect action (string height) are commonly reported. A sharp edge on the tuning peg, bridge, or nut, might cause strings to snap during tuning. When the strings rattle on certain notes, the truss rod might need to be adjusted. And if the guitar simply won’t stay in tune, it could be down to broken tuning pegs.
• In violins and other string instruments, the body is extremely delicate. These instruments are very complex and certain repairs should only be attempted by a luthier. Loose or worn-out strings can be replaced, though, and if you’re having trouble pressing strings down, regulating humidity levels can improve things.

Overview

Protecting your instrument is a lifelong commitment. With the right care, conditions, and timely maintenance, you can keep playing for life.