After the Play to clean and store in a dry place – this is not enough. Musical instruments will last longer if you care for them regularly and at a constant room temperature to be stored. Tips for musicians of most instruments.
the piano
The most common Instrument in German music schools is as big as a piece of furniture – and just want to be cared for. The painted piano will be cleaned with a cotton or micro-fiber cloth and window cleaner. Also on the buttons which is working well.
“not with water, clean and only slightly damp cloths to use,” says Michael Schmidt, a Board member of the Association of German piano-maker in Berlin.
wood works with temperature fluctuations and responds to the humidity in the air. In the piano rapidly changing temperatures, in particular, on the soundboard, as well as the intricate Mechanics Inside, explained Schmidt. He advises, therefore, to a room temperature of 20 degrees at 50 percent humidity.
the Latter must be controlled in the Air, particularly on cold days difficult. “Is the piano in the living room, you must make sure that the Windows are not tilted in the Winter, but twice a day shock is revealed,” says Schmidt.
The best small spaces are suitable as a location, since temperature and humidity can better regulate. The values with a Thermo-Hygrometer.
Automatically controlled by the humidity device can be used with a room air or a Regulator in the piano. To make “the old method of empty Mason jars filled with water into the piano works, but many forget about the time, this is to replenish the glasses again,” adds Schmidt.
He also recommends: “The piano should be from the outer wall fist-width away and not directly next to a fireplace or a wall heater is to be placed.”
brass instruments
in addition to the basic cleaning after each Play, this should be once in a month from the inside rinsed with water. There are special attachments for the shower hose, such as Carsten Göpf explained. He is an expert in the metal wind instruments of the Federal Association of German musical instruments manufacturers (BDMH) in Wiesbaden.
“if you do not clean the Instrument sufficiently, it can lead to deposits.” This can worsen the game.
the outside of The instruments should occasionally be cleaned. The usually made of brass sheet metal surfaces with a metal Polish to maintain. They are varnished or silver-plated, you need extra care sprays. Brass store home best at 18 to 25 degrees room temperature, supplemented Göpf.
woodwind instruments
instruments made of wood should be exposed to in the house, also not a large Change of temperature and humidity. There is a danger, in particular in the case of the German clarinet that cracks form in the wood, said Joachim Stark, by the Federal Association of German musical instrument manufacturers.
especially in Winter is a Problem: Furnaces and heaters emit a lot of heat. And depending on how balanced it is ventilated, the humidity is very high or very low in the room.
For saxophones in particular, you have to protect from bumps – you are left like a decorative in the living room. Who has no instrument racks, you should place the saxophone, and, therefore, on its flaps protectors and a soft, Stark says.
Strong has a care tip for new instruments: the cork covering on the connectors often to grease. The instruments are easier to assemble. This, in turn, prevents bending in the powerful put together of the Flaps.
stringed instruments
violin, Cello, and double bass are also made of wood, it’s threatening cracks. But C. Daniel Schmidt, President of the Association of German violin and bow makers, explained: “at home, normal room temperatures in order” – if the instruments do not stand directly in front of the heater.
the use of Unsuitable storage locations, however, are not insulated attics and damp cellars. The Instrument can rust, mildew, and detune.
Well, Storing in the instrument box. In it, a moistened cloth to ensure a good micro climate. Schmidt is recommended to moisten this every two days again. Caution: The cloth may not come with the painted surface in contact.
From dust-you can get rid of string instruments with a dry cotton cloth. Of oil-based polishes Schmidt advises, at least, Amateurs. You can get in any cracks that you can’t glue later. For dirt, the arc can provide.
“The arc of resin for the adhesion of the bow hair on the String. With time it dries out and leaves behind dust on the Instrument,“ explains Matthias Pannes, chief Executive of the Association of German music schools in Bonn, Germany. His advice: After the Music-making remains of the rosin-mentioned resin to remove.
