Humidity for Musical Instruments (and Humans!)

Winter is here -- and the air is getting dryer -- particularly when the heat is on. This is especially true in the northern areas of the country.  Below is some info on humidity levels; please run your humidifiers to protect your musical instruments, your skin -- and prevent static shocks!

• Piano:  one of our friends, a piano tuner -- says that 42% humidity is ideal for a piano.
• Instruments such as fine violins like humidity in that range as well.  
• Less than 30% humidity is dangerous for valuable wooden instruments. 
• 35% is on the low side; 40% or more is safe.  

You can run humidifiers and use hygrometers to monitor the humidity in your home.  Increasing the humidity in your home during the dry winter months will make your musical instruments happier -- as well as your skin!