The Real Reason I Started Carrying a Hand Held Steamer as a Violin Teacher
I have been teaching the violin for over ten years. To others, this job seems romantic and free. Even if I just hold the violin and demonstrate it in the classroom, it still seems to have a built-in stage effect. But only I myself know that, let alone a stage - sometimes even just a shirt with uneven cuffs and wrinkled sleeves is enough to make me lose the professional credibility in front of students, parents and colleagues.
Especially, I often perform, teach and lead students in taking exams simultaneously. Every day, I have to deal with questions from parents, the gaze of examiners, video recordings of students, live streaming on social media, waiting backstage... Whether it's standing in the center of the stage playing Brahms' concerto, or bending down to help the child attach the tuning pegs, the state of my clothes can't be hidden.
This is something I realized later: In music, we emphasize pitch, bowing technique and breathing. But in life, "the first impression" is the rating standard given to you by others.
The first instance that made me question myself occurred during the exam evaluation.
That day, I was in charge of taking a student to the Central Conservatory of Music's grade exam. I arrived early, tuned the instrument, practiced with the student, checked the repertoire, and even brought two sets of spare strings. But there was one thing I didn't expect:
My suit jacket had been squished flat by the subway ride all the way.
While I was bending over to tidy up my child's sheet music in the waiting room, I noticed that the gazes of two parents were fixed on the cuff of my sleeve. It wasn't impolite, but it was obvious - the pleats were very noticeable in the light. I remained silent, but I could feel that the child suddenly became uneasy.
At that moment, I didn't lose my dignity, but I lost my role as a role model.
After returning home, I sat alone in the music room for ten minutes. After completing the exam, everyone watched the performance and listened to the sound quality. However, what truly helped the students calm down was the sense of "I'm ready, so can you be too" that the teacher exuded. That day, I failed to convey that.
Irons vs. Steam: Why I Gave Up Using an Iron
In the past, when I was on business trips, I would bring an iron. But to be honest, as a teacher and a performer, an iron rarely came in handy in my actual work:
- Sometimes, to make it to a 7:30 class on time, I had to leave at 6:30 in the morning, leaving no time to wait for the iron to warm up gradually.
- When competing out of town, I stayed in budget hotels where I only had one set of clothes. It was also difficult to borrow an ironing board to deal with emergencies.
- Backstage at performances, there were often many people and limited space. The sockets were often occupied by stage equipment.
- The clothing fabrics varied: silk, wool, formal gowns, knitted shirts... The iron was too "rough" for many fabrics and there was a risk of damaging them.
- More importantly: The iron requires a flat surface for operation, but the environment we were in on the road often couldn't provide such conditions.
Later, I switched to a hand held steamer - Nesugar G3 Pro. It is small in size and can produce steam in about 15 seconds. It can directly treat the hanging clothes. The most practical aspect is that I no longer need to find a flat place to put the clothes; as long as they are hung, the wrinkles can be ironed out.
Since then, I have used it for emergencies in the wings, music stores, waiting rooms, and even airport waiting areas.
Some "Music Teacher Scenarios" That Others Might Not Have Thought Of
Before Going Live for an Appearance
I conduct live teaching every week. When the lights are turned on, all the details - sleeves, collars, shoulder lines... - are magnified infinitely. And the children all love to imitate the way I demonstrate and operate on the spot.
So no one knows that half of my three-minute "pre-broadcast check" was spent on the small hand held steamer.
Before the Private Coaching Session at the Client's Home
Before dropping me off at the student's house, the driver thought I was applying perfume. In fact, I was just smoothing out the wrinkles on my clothes. When the child came out and saw the teacher who was always neatly dressed, he would think that music is not just about learning the notes, but about acquiring a refined state.
The Backstage of the Performance
During a Christmas concert, I used a hand held steamer to restore a child's performance costume. Usually, parents bring their own clothes, but on that day, a mother forgot.
I immediately took out the equipment, hung it on the fixed frame and dealt with it for her. Before going on stage, the child looked at her dress and saw it "come back to life", and the pressure on her was obviously relieved.
Hotel Stay
The dress was folded in the suitcase for 48 hours, and the creases resembled a map. I steamed it, hung it in the bathroom, and combined the steam and the gentle heat. When I woke up, I was ready for the show.
Why Did I Ultimately Choose Nesugar?
The reason why I ultimately chose Nesugar was not because of its ostentatiousness or trendiness, but because it addressed the dressing dilemma that we, as professionals, have long faced but few have talked about:
- It produces steam in about 15 seconds and is suitable for use in a hurried morning.
- The water tank can continuously produce steam for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, which is just enough to handle short-term tasks or quick drying.
- The steam release is stable and does not cause water droplets to fall. It is suitable for fabrics such as silk, satin and wool.
- The body is lightweight and can be easily placed in the outer pocket of a music case, a rehearsal bag, or the side pocket of a travel bag, making it convenient to carry.
Many people say, "Teachers don't need to talk about appearance like stars do." But what I teach is not the piano, but "respect for details" and "responsibility on the stage".
Some might say, "Teachers don't need to be as concerned about their appearance as celebrities are." But what I teach my students is not just the technique of playing the instrument, but also the respect for details and the sense of responsibility one should have when performing on stage.
A Teacher's Suggestion
Whether you are a performer, a salesperson, a teacher, a lecturer, or a host — try making "tidying your clothes" the first thing you do before going out.
As a teacher, my advice is: Whether you are a performer, a salesperson, a teacher, a lecturer or a host, list "tidying up your clothes" as a priority before going out. You will be pleasantly surprised. You will be surprised to find that:
- When the neckline is smooth and the sleeves are flat, your entire voice, breathing and rhythm will become more stable.
- When the collar is smooth and the cuffs are unobstructed, your voice, breathing and rhythm will also be more stable.
I'm not the perfect one, but I will always be willing to stand in front of others and present myself responsibly the next time.
Because - not only does music require preparation, but every appearance in life deserves to be treated seriously.
