racerex Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 It's below freezing outside and my violin is in my car trunk which is loaded with other stuff. It's in its case way in the back of the trunk, kind of insulated. Do I need to bring it inside? I haven't yet because I'm at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zinomaniac Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 I've wondered about this myself several times - what range of temperature is safe for a violin in a car - in summer or winter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLaBonne Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 The rule of thumb I've always heard is that if the temperature is uncomfortably high or low for you (in indoor clothes)then it's also uncomfortable for your instrument. I would not leave it in the trunk on a below-freezing day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Nielsen Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 Put it in an environment that you would be comfortable in. I always keep the violin in the car, better than a trunk I think, and use two arctic sleeping bags, one inside the other and put the violin case in that. If you would not be comfortable where your violin is right now, bring it into work and put it in a safe place out of the way in your office. I always lock my office when I have to leave the violin and I am on break also. Take care of your baby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 On the subject of "baby" I have heard teachers tell small children that if they couldn't leave a puppy or a kitten in the car they shouldn't leave a fiddle there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racerex Posted January 6, 2004 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 Thanks everyone. I brought it in. Got a few comments like "so, are you going to play the violin?" which I was hoping to avoid, but it's worth it to save my violin. I sometimes feel like a beginner skier carrying around skis (look like a skier but not really there yet). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila Posted January 6, 2004 Report Share Posted January 6, 2004 I am very glad you took it inside. When I was teaching at a junior high school a student who played in the small orchestra, used to carry his violin to school each day. He walked to school, he was not far enough away to get a ride on the school bus. One day he came to me and said his violin was peeling. The varnish was cracking and peeling off the instrument. It ended up with no finish at all on it. At first I had no idea what was happening and why, but through questioning I found out he was walking to school in the very cold weather with his violin. It was a sad case, his family was very poor and this was a violin given to him to use. It was student line instrument, but they could not afford to get it fixed or to replace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tropicalfruitmom Posted January 10, 2004 Report Share Posted January 10, 2004 I'm glad you decided to bring your violin inside. When asked if planning to play when I have to bring an instrument inside a place of business, I usually reply that I don't play for free and would be happy to if they are willing to pay my fee ($150USD) up front for one hour of playing. I do get the occasional taker, but mostly they just laugh. Are you familiar with those hand warmers hunters use in their gloves? I put a couple in the outer music pocket of my case when I have to carry it outside on a cold Michigan day. It warms the major portion of the case and keeps the violin comfy without getting it too hot by putting them inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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