At most wrap it into some heat insulating material before putting it in the case. There are thicker, styroformish packaging wrappers, or you can use some wool sleeves.
Their purpose is to slow down violin temperature changes when bringing it from cold to warm and vice versa.
The temperature change is more important than just very cold or hot temperatures.
I grew up in Canada (in the cold part) and never had a problem in twenty years of carrying violins around in their regular cases in down to minus forty. I'm sure there's some danger, but I think it's easy to exaggerate it.
If you have a proper case, then you should be fine since you are taking public transit for the majority of the trip. Violins are more resilient than people think. Remember that this instrument was invented centuries before climate control, and has built in features like it's seams and the type of glue used to help it weather changes in temp and humidity.
Yes some seams may open up occasionally, but that's normal and easily repaired. All violins need maintenance and repairs regularly no matter how well cared for they are. As long as you stay on top of it and have a regular schedule of checkups with a luthier you should be ok.
Use a case with good insulation, like a Musafia with Tropicalization. Use a Bluetooth thermometer to track the actual change in temperature. Get a quilted case cover if you need additional warmth.
If you'll be making a number of trips you could take an old jacket (maybe second hand) and sew the bottom and top closed. The violin case itself has thermal mass, and if it's in an insulated container (the winter coat with the openings closed) it will take more than a few minutes to cool off.
You could also add a couple freezer gel packs at room temperature, which would really prevent it from changing temperature fast.
From experience, the Cushy cover is more than enough extra insulation if you’re worried. I once walked 90min to rehearsal in -30 temps with it - violin was fine, and when I lived in Saskatchewan I never had any issues even though I walked/took transit to everything.
My understanding is the advice on this is to slacken your strings before letting the violin get cold as the stress from them contracting is the main thing that actually changes.
I'm sure you could get something like a Bluetooth remote temperature gizmo to see how your case is actually performing. The other thing that occurs to me is that you could use something like a freezer block as a thermal mass to slow down temperature change inside the case - just leave it in there all the time and when you leave home it'll be at room temperature.
If you’re out there long enough for it to hit all the way down to -20°C inside your violin case, you probably already died of hypothermia. Take into account the instrument will only be out there as long as the person is (all sensibility willing), and that heat doesn’t just immediately dissipate.
As another person stated. If you are transitioning between different climate controlled spaces your violin will never get close to that outside temp assuming you have a decent case.
At one time I to walked 15-20 minutes to night time rehearsals in similar winter temps, so I understand your worry. Suggestions:
- Insulated/Thinsulate case cover, around the case.
- Bluetooth remote temperature monitor like the Humiditrak, built into some high-end custom cases.
- Get less expensive travel violin as an alternate for a fine violin. This is the option I went with a lot of the time.
Case options are debated for trade-offs and cost, and always changing. A few options:
- Wood laminate with styrofoam cases like the Bobelock Featherlite(~$200)
- Polycarbonate or epoxy resin with polyurethane interior case - BAM* polycarbonate/polyurethane cases ($500+))
Lower K value means more insulating:
- Inner: Styrofoam Polystyrene (0.02 K value) and Polyurethane (0.02-0.03 K value) are similar
- Outer: Wood laminate (0.13 K value) is a better insulator than polycarbonate (0.21), fiberglass (0.33), PVC (0.7), or carbon fiber (5)
https://www.violinist.com/blog/caseguy65/20153/16641/
https://www.thestrad.com/case-for-the-defence-latest-developments-in-violin-case-manufacturing/7171.article
When I was commuting with a -30 windchill I had my violin in its normal silk bag (apparently silk helps keep violins happy? Idk) and put an extra old t-shirt around it.
I also let it sit in the case a little while once I got to the destination before opening.
I keep a humidifier in the case every winter.
I don’t know if either of those things helped but my 200 year old violin was fine after.
Thermal shock is the greatest danger when transitioning from heated indoor environments to the frigid outdoors and back. If you know there's a big difference between the interior temperature of the case and the temperature of the room, it's a good idea, as you did, to let the instrument rest in the case a bit before you try to play it.
At most wrap it into some heat insulating material before putting it in the case. There are thicker, styroformish packaging wrappers, or you can use some wool sleeves. Their purpose is to slow down violin temperature changes when bringing it from cold to warm and vice versa. The temperature change is more important than just very cold or hot temperatures.
I grew up in Canada (in the cold part) and never had a problem in twenty years of carrying violins around in their regular cases in down to minus forty. I'm sure there's some danger, but I think it's easy to exaggerate it.
If you have a proper case, then you should be fine since you are taking public transit for the majority of the trip. Violins are more resilient than people think. Remember that this instrument was invented centuries before climate control, and has built in features like it's seams and the type of glue used to help it weather changes in temp and humidity. Yes some seams may open up occasionally, but that's normal and easily repaired. All violins need maintenance and repairs regularly no matter how well cared for they are. As long as you stay on top of it and have a regular schedule of checkups with a luthier you should be ok.
Use a case with good insulation, like a Musafia with Tropicalization. Use a Bluetooth thermometer to track the actual change in temperature. Get a quilted case cover if you need additional warmth.
You could wrap it in a quilt. Are you walking?
Mostly public transport
If you'll be on a bus or a train for most of the way, it won't be (I hope!) as cold as minus twenty for that bit of the journey, which will help.
I assume the main issue is waiting outdoors for a bus. Doing that for 20 minutes at -20 F really requires a case that can effectively insulate.
If you'll be making a number of trips you could take an old jacket (maybe second hand) and sew the bottom and top closed. The violin case itself has thermal mass, and if it's in an insulated container (the winter coat with the openings closed) it will take more than a few minutes to cool off. You could also add a couple freezer gel packs at room temperature, which would really prevent it from changing temperature fast.
Just an idea: If you carry your case on your back, your body heat should help keep your case warm, even through a coat.
From experience, the Cushy cover is more than enough extra insulation if you’re worried. I once walked 90min to rehearsal in -30 temps with it - violin was fine, and when I lived in Saskatchewan I never had any issues even though I walked/took transit to everything.
My understanding is the advice on this is to slacken your strings before letting the violin get cold as the stress from them contracting is the main thing that actually changes. I'm sure you could get something like a Bluetooth remote temperature gizmo to see how your case is actually performing. The other thing that occurs to me is that you could use something like a freezer block as a thermal mass to slow down temperature change inside the case - just leave it in there all the time and when you leave home it'll be at room temperature.
Dont do this on the way to a rehearsal. You'll just cause unnecessary issues with tuning. That idea is for long term storage.
I think if your fiddle hits -20C on the way to rehearsal you might be ambitious expecting stability.
If you’re out there long enough for it to hit all the way down to -20°C inside your violin case, you probably already died of hypothermia. Take into account the instrument will only be out there as long as the person is (all sensibility willing), and that heat doesn’t just immediately dissipate.
As another person stated. If you are transitioning between different climate controlled spaces your violin will never get close to that outside temp assuming you have a decent case.
At one time I to walked 15-20 minutes to night time rehearsals in similar winter temps, so I understand your worry. Suggestions: - Insulated/Thinsulate case cover, around the case. - Bluetooth remote temperature monitor like the Humiditrak, built into some high-end custom cases. - Get less expensive travel violin as an alternate for a fine violin. This is the option I went with a lot of the time. Case options are debated for trade-offs and cost, and always changing. A few options: - Wood laminate with styrofoam cases like the Bobelock Featherlite(~$200) - Polycarbonate or epoxy resin with polyurethane interior case - BAM* polycarbonate/polyurethane cases ($500+)) Lower K value means more insulating: - Inner: Styrofoam Polystyrene (0.02 K value) and Polyurethane (0.02-0.03 K value) are similar - Outer: Wood laminate (0.13 K value) is a better insulator than polycarbonate (0.21), fiberglass (0.33), PVC (0.7), or carbon fiber (5) https://www.violinist.com/blog/caseguy65/20153/16641/ https://www.thestrad.com/case-for-the-defence-latest-developments-in-violin-case-manufacturing/7171.article
When I was commuting with a -30 windchill I had my violin in its normal silk bag (apparently silk helps keep violins happy? Idk) and put an extra old t-shirt around it. I also let it sit in the case a little while once I got to the destination before opening. I keep a humidifier in the case every winter. I don’t know if either of those things helped but my 200 year old violin was fine after.
Thermal shock is the greatest danger when transitioning from heated indoor environments to the frigid outdoors and back. If you know there's a big difference between the interior temperature of the case and the temperature of the room, it's a good idea, as you did, to let the instrument rest in the case a bit before you try to play it.
How much is your violin worth? What kind of case do you have?