Instrument Care


Caring for your instrument is an important task. You always want your instrument to be in the best working condition possible.

Please click on an instrument name below for instructions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FLUTE
CLARINET
SAXOPHONE
OBOE
TRUMPET
FRENCH HORN
TROMBONE
MORE LINKS TO INSTRUMENT CARE

FLUTE


Always open with case on the floor.
Assemble in the manner shown by your teacher to avoid damage.
The body of the flute is very fragile, take care not to damage it or bend the keys.
Swab the flute after each use, this will help the pads last longer.
DO NOT oil the keys unless instructed to do so by your teacher.
Flutes can be damaged by too much moisture, do not wash instrument.
To keep it working properly, it must be played each day.
Keep the connecting joints wiped off to maintain easy assembly.
Use only a polish cloth that is made for flutes.
Do not use any kind of abrasive silver polish.
Do not try to repair your instrument.
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CLARINET


Always open with case on the floor.
Assemble in the manner shown by your teacher to avoid damage.
The reed and mouthpiece tips are very fragile, take care not to break them.
Swab the clarinet after each use.
DO NOT oil the keys unless instructed to do so by your teacher.
Clarinets can be damaged by too much moisture, do not wash instrument.
To keep it working properly, it must be played each day.
Keep the corks greased regularly to avoid drying out and breaking.
Keep 2 or 3 reeds "broken in" and rotate your practice time between them.
Care should be taken not to bend the bridge key when assembling.
Do not try to repair yor instrument.
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SAXOPHONE


Always open with case on the floor.
Assemble in the manner shown by your teacher to avoid damage.
The reed and mouthpiece tips are very fragile, so take care not to break them.
Swab the instrument with a saxophone swab after each usage.
DO NOT oil the keys unless instructed to do so by your teacher.
To keep it working properly, it must be played each day.
Keep the cork geased regularly to avoid drying out and breaking.
Keep 2 or 3 reeds "broken in" and rotate your practice time between them.
Care should be taken not to bend the keys when assembling.
Do not try to repair your instrument.
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OBOE


Always open with case on the floor.
Assemble in the manner shown by your teacher to avoid damage.
The reed tips are very fragile, so take care not to break them.
Swab the instrument with an oboe swab in the bottom section only.
Do not try to pull the swab completely through the top section. It will NOT fit.
The top section can be swabbed with a feather available from the music store.
DO NOT oil the keys unless instructed to do so by your teacher.
To keep it working properly, it must be played each day.
Keep the cork geased regularly to avoid drying out and breaking.
Keep 2 or 3 reeds "broken in" and rotate your practice time between them.
Care should be taken not to bend the keys when assembling.
Do not try to repair your instrument.
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TRUMPET


Always open with case on the floor.
The body of the trumpet is very fragile, take care not to damage it.
Put the mouthpiece in with a slight twist. Untwist to remove.
DO NOT pound on the top of the mouthpiece, it will get stuck.
Do not try to remove a stuck mouthpiece, your teacher has a special tool for this purpose.

Keep the valves oiled by carefully taking out the valves, one at a time, applying the oil to the valves, then replacing valves into proper position.
It is easiest to align the valves correctly by facing the imprinted number on the valve towards the mouthpiece before inserting into the valve casing.
Make sure valves are "locked" into place before pushing down.
Valves are numbered, so ensure to insert them in the right positions.

Do not keep anything in your case on top of your trumpet, it will damage the valves.
To keep it working properly, it must be played each day.
Do not force your case closed, it should close easily if the instrument is inserted properly.
Keep the inside of instruments clean by dismantling and washing with lukewarm water and a mild detergent, using a spiral brush to clean inside the tubes.
After washing, oil valves before putting it back together.
Keep the tuning slide lubricated with tuning slide grease only.
Wipe any finger marks off the instrument after use, as the acids in sweat and oil from the skin can damage the lacquer or silver.
It is a good idea to put a couple of drops of valve oil down the mouth pipe to stop corrosion.
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FRENCH HORN


Once every couple of weeks, carefully remove the valve cap and place a few drops of rotor oil in the center of the valve and bearing plate (looks like a flat disk on the top) and move the valve lever in order to work the oil into the valve.

Replace the top valve cap and turn the instrument over.

On the back side is the linkage that operates the valve. There is either a string or a mechanical linkage such as a rod. On the valve is a rotor arm (that swings back and forth as you work the lever). Between the rotor arm and the valve casing is a small opening in which you need to put a few drops of oil.

Work the valve lever once again to work the oil into the valve.
Be careful as too much oil will make a big mess.

In like manner, the tuning slides should be pulled every couple of weeks and also wiped.
Apply a thin layer of tuning slide grease before reinstalling the slide.

Once every couple of months, depending on how much you play, carefully remove the slides and place them in a tub (rubber tub will work) or sink.
Use luke warm water and a mild dishwashing soap (Dawn is great) and put the slides in this solution for a few minutes only.
Use a brush to help clean the inside. Brushes recommended are a "snake" type for the slides, and a small brush for the mouthpiece.
Rinse the slides in cool water. Dry and reassemble.

Due to the complexity of the valves, DO NOT disassemble the valves or put the instrument into the water. Only qualified technicians should disassemble the valve assemblies for rotor valve instruments.

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TROMBONE


Be careful not to bump, bend, or put excess pressure on the "slide" sections of this instrument!
Failure to keep slide properly aligned will cause slide to stick and leak air resulting in poor performance and high repair costs.
Always keep slide well lubricated. Never use oils or creams not specifically designed for the trombone.

Use only lacquer approved cleaning cloths to remove smudges and hand oils from your instrument.
Clean mouthpiece often. Use warm (never hot) water, mild soap and a mouthpiece brush to keep your mouthpiece sanitary.
Put the mouthpiece in with a slight twist. Untwist to remove.
DO NOT pound on the top of the mouthpiece, it will get stuck.
Do not try to remove a stuck mouthpiece, your teacher has a special tool for this purpose.

Once every couple of months, depending on how much you play, carefully disassemble the instrument and place it in a tub (rubber tub will work) or sink.
Use luke warm water and a mild dishwashing soap (Dawn is great) and put the slides in this solution for a few minutes only.
Use a brush to help clean the inside. Brushes recommended are a "snake" type for the slides, and a small brush for the mouthpiece.
Dry and lubricate in instrument.
NEVER use tuning slide grease on the main slide.
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MORE LINKS TO INSTRUMENT CARE:


Music Central Website
Size Music Company maintenance advice
Instrument Care from National Association of Professional Instrument Repair Technicians


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