Today we are going to focus on Musical Instruments and any of the items that have a musical theme. Instruments can require some specialized care but will last for years and years if cared for properly.
First, gather all your musically themed items. This includes instruments, cases, accessories, sheet music, metronomes, electronic tuners, reeds, etc. next, check all the items for needed repair and put them on a list for you to remember the next time you are out running errands. Additionally, make a list to purchase any needed reeds, strings, wax, cleaner and new soft cleaning cloths to ensure you have all the necessary items when needed. Follow the directions for cleaning that came with your instruments. Any pieces that you are not going to use can be sold as there is always a need for instruments with school bands and students wanting to purchase instruments instead of renting. All instruments should be professionally cleaned periodically. However, in between at home cleanings can keep your instrument in excellent shape. Make certain that they are stored well and periodically inspected for too much moisture or drying out.
Wooden Instruments: Wooden instruments can be cleaned with a damp, soft cloth. Polishing often is not recommended as it can affect the protective finish on the instrument. If you need to polish, use a carnauba wax polish to moisturize the wood. Wipe the instrument well with the cloth to distribute the polish well and remove any excess polish. Here is a link to better describe how to clean and maintain your wood instruments:
It is best to use the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning method to maintain these instruments. Most brass instruments have a lacquered finish on them so don’t use a polish on them. A clean soft lint-free cloth works best. Be certain to follow the instructions carefully to avoid damage to your instrument. Here is a link to clean woodwind and brass instruments:
http://musicshowcaseonline.com/resources_instrumentCareWoodwind.asp
Dry all instruments thoroughly. Take extra care to clean the mouth pieces and oil the valves to keep your instrument in tip top shape and if selling, to receive top dollar for your item.
Instrument Cases: For cleaning the inside of the case, it is best just to vacuum out the inside with an upholstery brush attachment to remove dust and small pieces of debris that can harm your instrument. Be certain to get into the seams and grooves to remove as much undesirable particles as possible. I like to air my cases out in warm, dry days to freshen the inside.
For the outside of the cases, you can use a leather conditioner or furniture polish to maintain the appearance of the case. Take a disinfectant cloth to wipe the handle to remove dirt and oil. A soft cloth is suitable for cleaning the latches and hardware on the case. Make sure your case has an attached label or tag with your name and phone number on the outside so that if taken somewhere, it is easily identified and if lost, you can be contacted when it is found. This is particularly important for student instruments.
Books, Sheet Music and Tuners:
Collect all the books and wipe down the outside with a damp cloth. If the book has a laminate cover, it can be cleaned with a small amount of furniture polish and a soft cloth. Find a place to store these near the instruments to make a “Musician’s Corner” in your home. Again, displaying items as a collection adds harmony and interest to your home. It also helps to keep these items in one specific location so that they may be utilized and put away easily.
Sheet music: Gather all the sheet music and store in large page protectors in a large photo album. You can also use a leather portfolio to store the music. This will help to keep the music in good condition as well as making the music easy to locate and utilize. For students, I like to make a copy of the music they are involved in so that in case they lose their copy, they have a back up for practices and rehearsals.
Miscellaneous: All the miscellaneous items can be stored in storage containers or decorative wooden boxes near the musical corner or area. This will help to keep all of these items in a central location for use when needed. For tuners, make certain you have extra batteries for use when necessary. In addition, you will want to store extra reeds, strings and other items in this storage area for easy access when needed. This strategy will also reduce the amount of stress you will have when you realize that these items are needed as I have found that a string never breaks at a convenient time.
Go through your home and find any musically themed decorative elements. Photographs of your children’s recital, sculptures of people playing instruments or other such themed items can add to the aesthetic of the collection and give you a practical reason to use these elements to enhance the collection.
Now that you have finished organizing your musical instruments, why not grab that healthy beverage and take a break while listening to some beautiful music?
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