Cold Weather Practicing

Happy New Year to all! We've been experiencing some extreme (for us) cold out here on the East Coast, so I thought I'd share some tips and tricks for both you and your violin to be comfortable, warm, and healthy while practicing. Winter is a great time for practicing, especially because nasty weather outside means you're more motivated to stay inside with your violin!

First and foremost, invest in a Dampit for your violin and possibly a humidifier for the room where you keep it. Just like your skin in the winter, the wood of your violin will dry out and make it more susceptible to cracks and open seams. Just like you'd use lip balm for your lips or hand cream for your hands, your violin needs a dampit! Dampits do come in fractional sizes, so if you have a violin smaller than a 3/4 size, do make sure the Dampit will fit in the instrument! I love Shar Music Company, so you can order your Dampit here. 

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Some general tips for storing your violin during the winter: Never, ever leave it in an unheated car or in the coldest part of your house. Your violin should be kept in a room with heat in it - but not right next to the heater. Being exposed to too much heat can dry the instrument out even faster. Stringed instruments are finicky creatures, and it's important to keep them in good condition, even when the weather is nasty!

Nice but not necessary for winter months: Purchasing a case such as those made by BAM that is waterproof. You can also get a Cushy case cover to add an extra layer of padding for your violin. Be warned: some case covers will make it difficult for a violin to fit in the overhead compartment of a plane. And you should NEVER check your instrument. Ever. Consider the amount and type of travel you do when purchasing a case!

Much less expensive: a satin bag (available from Shar here) can provide an extra level of insulation for your violin and protect it inside the violin case. Plus, they're pretty and feel luxurious. You can also find a silk scarf and wind it around your violin inside the case if you're more of a print person.

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Now, for keeping the violinist warm! My list of suggestions:

• Get a space heater and keep it in your practice area. One year, when I was at Baldwin-Wallace, the temperatures dropped rapidly before the building turned the heat on. I got a $10 space heater from Walgreens and it saved my practice life!
• Fingerless gloves, like these from the Gap or these from L.L. Bean. You can play with them on if absolutely necessary, but I love having these to wear around the house or to wear before rehearsals and during breaks. That way, you can be sure that your hands will be warm and ready to play!
• Do make sure that you warm up before you play. Do arm circles or jumping jacks to get the blood moving before you even open the case, and let yourself play scales or finger patterns slowly for a few minutes (I love Schradieck No. 1 for this!). Just like a car, your body will take longer to warm up in the winter, and it's important that you don't leap straight into your most technically difficult piece (this is generally not a good idea anyway!). 
• When you need to warm up your hands FAST, try these hand warmers from L.L. Bean. One of my classmates in college carried them around with her during the winter, and I thought it was a brilliant idea. 
• Layer intelligently. It's important to stay warm, but bulky layers can also restrict your movement. Your violin will feel different through a hoodie than it does through a t-shirt. Find lighter layers on top that will still allow you to move freely and then add heavier layers on the bottom. Try a tank top or undershirt under a thermal long-sleeved t-shirt, layer leggings under your pants, and wear warm fuzzy socks. Keeping your feet warm while you practice will make a big difference! 

That's all for now! Stay warm, everyone!