Knowing how to care for your instrument correctly is essential if you want it to last. There are many things to consider, and a few changes or add-ons to your daily routine can go a long way.
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May 13th, 2021
Below we will share a few tips to consider when handling and caring for your musical instrument:
1. Clean your instrument correctly
A key aspect of caring for your instrument is keeping it clean. So, before you play, make sure you wash your hands or use a wipe to get rid of sweat, oil, and other contaminants that could harm your instrument. Don’t forget to dry your hands, as doing so can make a world of difference.
More so, once you finish playing, gently wipe over your instrument with a dry cloth. Remember to never use water directly on your instrument! A soft microfiber or lint-free cloth to wipe it over we’ll do.
2. Perfect your playing technique
Another fundamental way of caring for your instrument is ensuring you play and handle it properly. It might sound simple, but as you begin to play, you may start developing bad habits, which can pressure elements of the instrument that weren’t designed to be handled roughly.
It is crucial to keep in mind that specific instruments can be more delicate than others. Thus, make sure you’re always your playing technique is on-point.
Finally, handle the instrument properly when transferring it to/from its case or stand. Doing so will minimize the risk of accidental damage to the instrument.
3. Store your instrument away carefully
Depending on what you play, you might opt for a stand. While this is convenient, it also exposes your instrument to the risk of damage if it happens to get knocked over or something bashes into it.
Plus, there’s also temperature and humidity to consider… If you live in a place prone to experiencing temperature shifts or spikes in humidity, you need to be especially careful about how and where you store your instrument.
The best solution is to store the instrument in its original case or bag. If not, it might be wise to consider investing in one.
4. Consider getting a music insurance
Many musicians who gig regularly or collect valuable guitars have some form of insurance on their instruments. Specialist musical instrument insurance can cover you for loss and theft as well as protection against Public Liability claims when you’re performing.
If this is something you think you need, we suggest you do your research and contact a specialist to help you.
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This article is a re-post, with small modifications, of “A guide to musical instrument maintenance and care” an article published on musicguard.co.uk
