By Laurie Niles: The holidays often bring travel, and the question arises: to bring the violin (or viola or cello), or to leave it at home?![violin on plane]()
For some, there is no choice because the traveling will also involve performing. For some, this might be a time for a little break from the instrument; for others it is the perfect occasion to actually spend a little more time practicing.
At any rate, it is tricky to travel with a stringed instruments due to the fact that they need to be kept at a reasonable temperature - not locked in a freezing car or airline cargo hold. They also must be handled with care, i.e. "get your hands off my fiddle, buddy." Many of us have anxiety over the idea of airline workers roughing up a fiddle, even though most tend to understand the delicate nature of the instrument.
For me, I am actually visiting family in Cincinnati, Ohio this week, a nice long flight from Los Angeles. But as much as I don't like to fly with the fiddle, I just didn't want to be away from my violin for that long. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
How about you? Have you or will you be traveling with your violin over the holidays? By car, or by plane? If so, What measures have you had to take, to keep your instrument safe and warm? Or, is your violin at home? Please answer the vote and then describe your travels (or travel travails!) from this year, or you can tell us about previous travels!
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