It goes without saying that proper treatment and adequate handling are paramount for the safety of your instruments during relocation. And, with the best moving companies Los Angeles, you won’t have to worry about the quality of the procedure. The professional movers you hire will see to that. However, what happens after is up to you. Namely, tending to your instruments after the move is crucial for their well-being. In this text, we will go through some important tips that will help you treat your musical instruments in the best possible way.
After the unloading of your belongings, make sure to ask your piano movers Los Angeles to place the instrument right where you want it to. It is always better that they take care of this job. The same goes for any bigger and bulkier instrument you might have. As for those lighter ones, you can address them yourself. Make sure to wipe your instruments clean after the relocation, and repeat the whole cleaning process if your move lasted a bit longer.
The best way to treat your musical instruments after the move
You should always keep your instrument in its case when not in use. Do not forget to check whether the case handles, hinges, locks, and zippers are working properly. You would never set anything on top of your instrument. The same goes if your instrument is inside the case. Additional pressure is never a good idea, as it can cause a lot of damage to the instrument.
Do not leave your instrument in extreme temperatures. This is especially important if you plan on keeping it in a storage unit. Great fluctuations in temperatures can wrap and damage your instrument beyond repair. A way to avoid this is by finding a climate-controlled storage unit, or keeping it in a dark, cool, and dry place if inside your home. Conclusively, leaving your instrument in a car is also a bad idea. While here, your instrument will be susceptible to hot/cold temperatures as well as humidity fluctuations.
Proper handling of the instruments
In ideal situations, you would never leave your instrument unattended, whether it is inside or outside of its case. If it is being brought inside from colder temperatures, allow it to warm up to room temperature before start playing. Be adamant when keeping your instrument clean of fingerprints and everyday dust and residue. Always wipe your instrument down with a clean, soft, non-treated cloth before storing it or packing it for relocation.
It is never wise to attempt repairment of your instrument at home. You might think that you are saving money, but in most cases, it ends with disaster, and you end up spending even more than the initial cost may have been. So, if your instrument requires repair work, take it to a trained instrument repair technician. In addition, it is wise to consider insuring your instrument against theft or damages.
More specific details to treat your musical instruments based on their type
The means of treatment we covered apply to every type of instrument and should be equally followed. Now, as for the more specific tips, we will start with:
Caring for string instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass
- Use a separate bag to store your shoulder rest instead of storing it on your instrument or in your instrument case.
- Always set your instrument down string-side-up. This applies even if the instrument is inside the case.
- Replace your strings every 12 months, but do so gradually, in order to reduce string tension. Always wash your hands before addressing this task, and ask a teacher or experienced friend to help you change your strings the first time.
- Although regular cleaning is recommended, you never want to use commercial or household solvents on your instrument. Purchase polish and cleaner from a music store, and test an inconspicuous spot to ensure compatibility with your varnish.
Caring for wind instruments: flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone
- You never want to force close the case, as it most likely means the instrument isn’t properly placed. Rather make sure that it fits all the correct indentations, and try a couple of times if it doesn’t seem to work.
- Never lift your instrument by the keys, but rather do so by the bore. In addition, you ought to be careful not to bend keys while assembling your instrument.
- Rather than storing the reed on the mouthpiece, store it in a reed holder. Replace cracked, chipped or softened reeds when necessary.
- Oil keys every 12 months with the manufacturer’s key oil. Do this by applying a single drop to the end of a needle pin. Make sure not to apply too much oil.
Caring for brass instruments: trumpet, trombone, horn, tuba
- Yearly professional cleaning is highly recommended for brass instruments. It will help avoid costly repairs and possible corrosion.
- You would always want to remove your mouthpiece after play. Make sure to clean it regularly with warm water and mild soap.
- If your mouthpiece is dry, a thin layer of valve oil will do the trick. Simply apply a thin layer to the bore to keep it from getting stuck.
- Never, and we mean never try to hammer out dents at home. Be smart about this and take your instrument to a licensed professional.
As you can see, in order to treat your musical instrument correctly, there are quite a few things you need to be mindful of. However, with the help of this text, it shouldn’t be much of a problem anymore.