Tips for Playing Outdoors

When the weather turns warm, most studio and rehearsal rats (and other semi-humans) feel the urge to get outdoors and soak in the nice weather. A great outdoor activity is playing your instrument, but you need to take extra precautions when moving a musical device (either acoustic or electronic) from a climate-controlled environment to an uncontrolled one.

• If your instrument came with a case, make sure the case comes along for the ride. A case not only protects the instrument from bumps and knocks, but can shield your axe from spills, or even sunshine and rain – neither of which are very kind to wood finishes.
• Whenever you use a case, always make sure that at least one of the clasps is fastened. For example, simply closing the lid of an acoustic guitar case will not prevent the instrument from spilling out, should someone unknowingly grab the handle to transport the guitar from point A to point B.
• Unless the conditions outside are in the extreme (such as ultra-high humidity or precipitation), most instruments, plugged and unplugged alike, can function normally andoptimally. Of course, avoid playing in direct sunlight if at all possible, and keep your instruments and cases (especially if they contain the instrument) shielded from the sun’s rays.
• Outdoor playing greatly benefits from a variety of accessories, like keyboard and amp stands, music stands, guitar stands, stools and small tables, extension cords and power strips. Keep food and beverages in a separate place, and be extra careful when either people or instruments are in motion to avoid an unforeseen collision.
• Finally, when you bring your instrument back into a climate-controlled environment, let the instrument acclimate to its new setting slowly by leaving it in the case for a half hour to an hour. This ensures that the interior conditions match the room's.

Playing outside is not only healthy for you and impact-neutral on most instruments, it’s good training for all the outdoor gigs that warm weather inevitably brings. So, have hot fun in the summertime!