Image Source

Travelling with an instrument can be a tricky business, the difficulty of it is dependant upon the size! If you’re transporting only a small instrument like a flute then you’ll not run into many problems, but if you have a larger one like a guitar then you can! However, there are preparations that everyone must make, regardless of their instrument, keep on reading to learn about them!

Make Sure You Have Everything

This goes mainly for larger instruments than smaller ones, but the same concept still applies. Whilst it may sound silly, you have to make sure you remember to bring everything you need! A lot of instruments are not stand alone units, things like guitars often require amps and a power source, so wherever you’re going make sure that you either bring them or have access to them! Smaller items like reeds, picks or a Looping pedal  can easily be misplaced or forgotten about, and if you’re somewhere unfamiliar it can be difficult to replace them so make sure you bring everything you need!

Have The Right Protection

Protecting your instrument is another very important thing you need to bear in mind. Regardless of where you’re going, you most definitely need a case or pouch for your instrument, it saves you from transporting it just as it is. Leaving your instrument unprotected can, quite obviously, lead to damage which can be very expensive to repair or even replace if worst comes to worst! If you’re travelling abroad, you need to make sure you stick as many “Fragile” stickers on your case as possible! As well as a case, you need to make sure that the case itself won’t damage your instrument. This is where Pick ‘n’ Pluck foam / Pre-cubed foam comes in. Instruments tend to shake around a lot in cases, but by using foam you can prevent it. All you have to do is buy it and put it in, being pre-cubed this makes the job even easier! Make sure it’s a snug fit for your instrument so it doesn’t bash against the inside of your case and you’re good to go! If you are looking for a case, websites like Gear4Music have got you covered, selling a case for every kind of instrument!

Take Spares With You

Spare parts are a must when travelling with an instrument. We all know how much of a pain it can be to have a string snap or a key break on us, the process of buying and fitting a new part can take days, even weeks depending upon the availability of the part you need! This is why it’s important to come prepared. Of course, you cannot bring all of the spares you need because then you’d be bringing another entire instrument with you! But it’s good to have the things that will need replacing most often, or something that you know is on the way out. This saves you the hassle of trying to find your spare parts when you’re not at home, you may not even be able to find the spare parts so this is heavily recommended to do. Websites like AllParts have got you covered for any stringed instrument you may have, so if you need something to do with a guitar you should go here!

Have Somewhere Safe To Leave It

If you’re going on a long trip somewhere with your instrument, this is applicable to you! If you’re just taking a trip to play your instrument on the street for the day and come back, this isn’t something you necessarily need to think about though it can come in handy. If you’re going somewhere far away from home, you need to have somewhere that you are able to leave your instrument and trust that it will be safe there. Instruments can be worth a lot of money as we know, so they are liable to get stolen if left somewhere unsafe. Make sure that wherever you’re staying, whether it be a hotel or a rented house, will be alright with you keeping precious objects in your room. Companies like Travel Lodge are often fine with having things left in rooms, however if they aren’t other companies like Insure4Music will insure your instrument whenever you go away just for that extra piece of mind.
So there you have it! All of these things you should definitely think about and take on board and do, it might save you the heartbreak of losing your instrument or having it damaged! If you’re looking for some inspiration for a kind of music to play when you’re travelling, read this for some ideas!