Tips for Taking Care of Your Instruments While on the Road
Summer travel season is upon us, which means making to-do lists and packing suitcases in anticipation of a weekend getaway or a more extended vacation. We carefully fold clothing and ensure that all toiletries are closed and secure. These might be typical tasks for the basic traveler, but a concert booking agency knows that summer means something entirely different for touring musicians and bands.
After a rather long pandemic-related hiatus, music touring around the United States and internationally is in full swing. It is important to remember that touring is work and not a vacation. Traveling from one location and venue to the next is hard on musicians and their instruments, especially in different climates and environments. Tour management can convey to musicians and bands some best practices for caring for instruments while on tour. Music business software solutions allow for combining innovations in touring logistics and practical instrument care advice to launch successfully managed events.
Down the Street and Around the World
Whether a gig is in your neighborhood or a continent away does not matter. All musical instruments require expert care, so they always function at peak performance.
Making a Case for Cases
It is important to invest in a proper case. A sturdy, hardshell case is essential for protecting your instruments while traveling. Have you ever seen airline employees handling your luggage? Now imagine them handling the most expensive investment in your craft. Various kinds of cases are available, but hard-sided cases can withstand the bumps, jostling, and drops that can occur when moving them from place to place.
Make sure cases are also well-padded inside as an added layer of protection during transport. Look for cases specifically designed for your type of instrument and consider investing in cases with TSA-approved locks. And for additional security, ensure that all cases have identification tags with contact details in situations of loss or damage.
The Art of Proper Packing
It is fair to say we all know that one person can pack everything they need in a suitcase with room to spare or fit everything into a car like a jigsaw puzzle. These same skills should be applied to packing musical instruments. When packing instruments for traveling one day or an extended tour, make sure they are secured inside the case. Remove any detachable parts or accessories that might prevent a tight fit and wrap them separately in bubble wrap or cloth. It is also important not to overpack cases as this may place undue stress on the instruments leading to damage.
It is Not Always a Dry Heat
Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can damage instruments, especially when changes are extreme. Your tour management should conduct a little research on the average climate and weather of the locations on your tour. Instruments must avoid extreme temperature and humidity conditions to maintain their musical integrity. Avoid direct sunlight and contact with water. Storing and traveling with instruments in a climate-controlled environment is preferable whenever possible.
Now It is a Dry Heat
When addressing the high temperatures in states like Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada, we often hear climate observations about it being "a dry heat." Well, dry heat is still heat and can wreak havoc on musical instruments. Just like extreme humidity can cause damage, no moisture can also cause problems. Consider using a humidifier to keep instruments from drying out. This is an especially critical best practice for wood instruments like guitars, upright basses, and violins.
Squeaky Clean and Damage-Free
Regularly cleaning your instrument can help prevent damage and prolong its lifespan. During a summer tour, cleaning should be a regular part of your instrument maintenance to avoid problems before they occur and correct any damage that may be found. Use lint-free cloths to wipe down instruments before and after each use, and always avoid using any harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.
While cleaning your instruments, check for signs of any damage that may have occurred during transport. Look for cracks, scratches, warping, loose strings, and broken drumheads. Address issues immediately to avoid further damage and to prevent problems from interfering with the quality of the live performance.
Your Voice is an Instrument Too
While most of us think about safely transporting instruments like guitars, basses, violins, drums, and pianos, it is crucial to include an instrument that sometimes may be ignored- your singing voice. It can be delicate and fragile, thus requiring some extra care to keep it ready for every note. It is important to stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water and avoiding caffeine which can cause dehydration. Other bad habits affecting vocal quality should be avoided, like smoking and drinking alcohol. Warm up your voice before a performance, just like you would stretch your muscles before exercising. Try to avoid misusing your voice by excessive talking or yelling. Finally, it is essential to rest your body from head to toe, which will, in turn, protect your voice.
Fine-Tuning Instrument Care
Your artist booking agency or concert booking agency can assist musicians and bands with practical information to keep instruments sounding fantastic and a long-awaited summer tour to proceed smoothly. Instrument care requires a little extra effort, but it is well worth it to protect your investment and ensure high-quality performance.
