Too cold for violin?

December 18, 2013 at 02:22 PM · I am interested to hear that answer too! I don't know about the instrument, but I would think that's too cold. I wouldn't take my violin or my bow out in that.

Also, I don't know how you would get your fingers to move when it's 30-35 degrees. That seems too cold for the human body!

Do you have an old beginner instrument lying around?

December 18, 2013 at 02:37 PM · In the past, when I've played in concerts in cold venues, usually churches or church halls where the heating had packed up (as it mysteriously does in cold weather), I've worn fingerless mitts, which did the job. At my time of life I've drawn the line at playing gigs out of doors in winter conditions - the "age card" is now the most important card in my wallet:)

December 18, 2013 at 02:48 PM · I'd be very hesitant to play under those circumstances, especially if I had anything like a good violin.

At the very least, keeping instruments in tune will be a nightmare; pegs will respond to the cold by slipping. The sudden changes in temperature are not good for any wooden instrument, but for strings, which aren't warmed by the player's breath the way woodwinds are, the danger is greater. Unless your orch. dir. is a string player, s/he may not have thought this through sufficiently.

Not to mention...the students are going to be cold, or have to struggle to play in coats/gloves.

December 18, 2013 at 03:19 PM · It's the cellos I'm worried about. They're to split wide open.

December 18, 2013 at 03:23 PM · In cold halls I've seen flautists during rehearsal breaks going round with their instrument kept warm underneath their jacket or pullover. Now what we want are electrically heated violin (and cello) cases.

However, one type of violin or cello that would stand up well to temperature and humidity vagaries is the CF variety, as I mentioned in a different context in another thread.

December 18, 2013 at 03:51 PM · Thanks for all the quick feedback! Yeah, I don't know how they're going to play with frozen fingers when they're scheduled to be outside in that cold playing for 45 minutes. I like the idea of finding a beginner violin. My son's is not super expensive (probably about $1k) but that was intended to last him through high school. I'll have to see if I can dig out an old $99 violin outfit I got years ago off amazon and see if it will suffice.

December 18, 2013 at 05:34 PM · You might want to talk to other parents, too; if enough find the idea inappropriate, maybe some sort of change can be negotiated...who wants to be sick for Christmas break?

December 19, 2013 at 01:03 AM · That sounds like it's too cold for the humans, much less the violins.

Don't play the fiddle anywhere that isn't a comfortable temperature when dressed in ordinary clothing. Call it between 65 and 75 degrees or so. (Warmer is okay when you're in the shade and it's not grotesquely humid.)

December 19, 2013 at 02:44 AM · I refuse to play violin at temperatures below 68.5 degrees. That's my lower limit.

December 20, 2013 at 07:24 PM · Thanks for everyone's responses. They did end up playing and I ended up letting my son play his violin. I took the precautions of using his dampit as well as case hygrometer and more importantly, allowed it to acclimate to the colder temperature before letting him open and play it. Luckily nothing catastrophic happened although they all had a lot of problems keeping their instruments tuned and playing with numb fingers. The cellist though was smart to use one of the school's instruments!

Thanks again!