Extreme Enemies

Humidity and temperature extremes are your enemies because they can ruin your bow and instrument.

• Both bow hair and wood stretch and expand in high humidity and shrink in low humidity. It’s important to keep your instrument and bow in neutral humidity, as much as possible. The best way to do this is to keep them in the case when you’re not playing.

• Bow and instrument varnish can be melt in hot temperature or in direct sunlight, even when it’s not that hot outside. Never leave your bow or instrument in a car (whether it’s hot or cold outside) or in direct sunlight.

• Wood can contract and crack in low temperature.

• Humidity and temperature extremes can have even worse effects on a bow if the hair has not been loosened. If tightened hair shrinks, it can warp or break the bow stick. Always loosen the hair when you’re through playing.