General Day-to-Day Maintenance

The following tasks should be carried out whenever necessary:

Valve cleaning – all instruments except French horn and trombone


• Unscrew one at a time and wipe with a clean cloth

• Apply a small amount of valve oil to cover the surface of the valve

• Re-insert valve and turn it a few times to lubricate the inside of the casing

• Line up the valve guide with the slots inside the valve casing. For larger instruments this should be easy; for trumpets and cornets (any instruments where the spring is inside the valve) there is only one way the valve will fit, otherwise no sound can be produced – normally the smaller valve guide (white plastic bit) should go next to the small lead pipe (where you blow in). Larger instruments have a separate, loose spring – be careful not to lose this!

• Tighten up the screw and repeat as necessary for the other valves.

• Top and bottom valve caps should be gently tested out each time you start/finish playing, to keep them free.

​

One of the best valve oils is ‘Blue Juice’ – it is the most expensive, but lasts a long time. It is available from music shops, or online.

Valve cleaning – French horn and trombone


• Unscrew one valve at a time to expose the rotary mechanism

• Apply a small amount of rotary oil and move the valve so the oil lubricates the surface

• Replace the valve cap

​​

Slide cleaning – Trombone only


• Carefully remove the outer slide from the inner slide

• Carefully wipe the inner slide with a clean cloth

• Apply lubricant according to the instructions provided on the bottle/tub. This may include squirting water onto the slide after application of the lubricant

​​

One of the best lubricants is ‘Slide-o-Mix’ which is a liquid lubricant. Slide cream can often be messy and less effective

Polishing

Brass instruments rarely need cleaning on the outside, but if this becomes necessary (perhaps because you have been playing in the rain) a simple soft cloth is all that is needed.

​

​

Regular Cleaning

The following tasks should be carried out regularly to ensure your instrument remains in a good condition and sounds the best it can. You will need:


• A bath (or sink for small instruments)

• A valve casing brush (correct size for your instrument)

• A bore cleaning “snake” brush (correct size for your instrument)

• A mouthpiece cleaning brush (correct size for your instrument)

• A towel/soft cloth

• Valve oil

• Slide grease

• A polishing cloth (optional)

​​

Mouthpiece cleaning

​

• Place the mouthpiece in a saucepan.

• Pour hot water over the mouthpiece until it is covered –BE CAREFUL AND GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT!

• Leave for a few minutes before removing and drying.

• Use a mouthpiece cleaning brush to clean the inside of the mouthpiece.

Instrument Cleaning Method

1. Fill the bath with warm water – no soap required.
2. Take apart the instrument – remember which piece goes where!
3. Place the valves in order on a clean cloth; there is usually a tiny number (1-4) marked on each valve stem. Number 1 is closest to the mouthpiece and so on…Do not muddle them up or they won’t work!
4. Give the valves a good wipe and clean but DO NOT immerse in water. Optional: use a small amount of lighter fluid on the valves and slides to remove all excess grime.
5. Place all parts of the instrument except the valves (including the main instrument itself) in the bath. Use a snake brush to clean inside all the slides and the main body of the instrument.
6. Rinse and dry using a towel/soft cloth and leave to air dry in a safe place.
7. Once dry, reassemble the instrument, lubricating the valves and trombone as overleaf previously detailed. Other slides, such as the tuning slide, should be given a light lubrication with slide grease.

It is a good idea to move slides gently in and out from time to time to keep them free. Depress the valve whilst you do this to avoid pressure

​