Taking Care of Your Instrument While on the Road

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This article is a guest post written by Musical Instru, a blog whose passion is trying out thousands of musical instruments and writing about the experience. After using an instrument for a long time, each instrument is reviewed with passion and honest heart. With various articles written by a bunch of musicians and music bloggers, you can get a first-hand review on many types of musical instruments for help finding the best suitable one for you. The love for the musical instrument is the core of Musical Instru, and you’ll find that passion in every article on their blog.

For some, instruments are their babies.

Just like some people have fur babies, and actual babies, others have instruments that are their babies, therefore they take care of it, just like anyone else takes care of their precious belongings.

If you don’t take care of your precious musical instruments, who will? After all, this is one of your prized possessions, if not, why would you even be taking it on the road with you?

Whether you are taking your instrument with you for a show, or just because you like playing your Guitar or Saxophone, as the sunset goes down, there are certain things we have to keep in mind. As we do not want our precious instrument, coming back completely damaged.

Imagine you have a gig, in which you can finally show off your amazing skills, and when you take out your instrument, it is in pieces, wrecked, or the most important part of the instrument is completely damaged?

Just thinking of this scenario gives me a mild heart attack.

This is why I have provided you with some of the most used tips, by band members, musicians, and overall instrument players, all over the world, to best protect your beloved instruments!

What Type Of Case Do You Have?

Have you ever seen someone go through their car frantically when they’re looking for something specific? Imagine, your precious guitar, or saxophone, in a not so great case, what do you think would happen, if someone would drop a melon over it?

Let’s say, you have the guitar in a cheap, hand me down case, by the window, and it’s 105’ outside, do you think your precious guitar will be safe from the humidity and exposure it’s receiving? I think not.

Bye bye guitar 🙁

ALWAYS invest in a good value case, as this is what protects your baby, overall from getting hurt, or damaged.

For guitars, there’s two types of cases. A soft shell case, which is light, easy to carry around and doesn’t bother much, however if you’re going to be traveling by car, or maybe train, I definitely suggest in investing in A hard shell case, they are not as lightweight, but will definitely protect your guitar from that melon.

Instrument Insurance

I’m sure if you have a car, an apartment or house, you have invested in insurance. (I really do hope so!) However, have you ever heard of instrument insurance, and is it really necessary?

Although sometimes, homeowners/renters insurance covers musical instruments, usually they only cover up too $2,000 worth. I know SOOOO many musicians that have instruments valued at WAY more than only $2,000, therefore in their case, obtaining additional insurance is DEFINITELY worth it.

When choosing instrument insurance, it’s very similar to choosing regular insurance, as they choose the amount that they want coverage for, and the deductible that they would have to pay before opening a claim.

Usually instrument insurance covers the instrument, any other equipment that accompanies it, chords, and even the sheet music!

The insurance for instruments vary from $10 a year, or even hundreds. It all depends on what instrument specifically you have, where it’s stored, how it’s taken care of, and so forth.

Are you an aspiring musician, if not already so? Then I definitely suggest, you look more into insurance for your specific instruments, and more details on it, depending on what instrument you play, and how much it’s valued at.

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Keep Transportation Area Cool

Whether you are traveling by car, or by train, try to keep your instrument in a cool area. Maybe away from a window, under a seat if possible, anything to avoid it receiving humidity.

Don’t forget that when your instrument is around humidity many things can happen to your precious instrument, like having the wood crack, not producing the same music or sound quality, and even mildew are just some examples.

There are actually some kits that protect against humidity, depending on your instrument you may be able to find a variety of options, always check before traveling, as you want to take care of your musical instrument in the best possible way.

Look Around

By this I don’t literally mean, take a look around and tell me what you see. It’s more of a look around, and observe. Is there anything sketchy, is someone just staring at your case and walking back and forth, while you wait in line to order something to eat.

Never take your precious instruments into places, that just don’t give off the right type of vibe. Don’t start unloading, or retrieving things from your car, van or bus, and leave your instrument unattended, it can literally be gone, in the blink of an eye.

If for ANY reason, you have to step away from your baby (instrument), make sure a friend, or someone you trust keeps an eye on it, you want it to be accounted for at all times.

The tips above are the most common things neglected by people learning how to play their instruments, and even by some musicians when traveling with said instruments.

Always remember to clean your instrument regularly, whether you play the guitar or saxophone, flute, even the piano. You want to keep your musical instrument clean, and free of dust.

If when playing your musical Instrument, you hear any off type of sound, or anything that just doesn’t sound right, never neglect any of these signs, and take it in to a music shop, so that they can take care of your baby before anything worse happens, most of the time, the weather is to blame when our instruments are not their 100%.

Keep in mind that musical instruments are not cheap, and they are very fine and delicate, therefore you have to take care of it, and give it the quality of time and love it needs and requires from you to keep producing beautiful sounds.

If you put these tips into practice, I can assure you, that your musical instrument will last way longer, than other people’s instruments, and it will allow you to be able to travel everywhere, safely with your prized possession!

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