Your brass
instrument is a precision made item of engineering. If you look after it carefully it will
give you many years of trouble-free enjoyment (and minimise the need for repair!!) if you
follow these simple guidelines.
Always keep the
instrument in its case when it is not being played. Most accidents occur when an
instrument is left on a chair, under it or propped up behind a door.
Regularly clean your
mouthpiece with water and a Mouthpiece
Brush
as dirt and food tend to collect there and bacteria can grow. Eating and drinking
(especially sweets and sugary drinks) should be avoided immediately before playing as
particles will be blown into the instrument and will make it smell after a while. Fizzy
drinks such as Coke are very acidic and can damage the inside of the instrument
Never force the
mouthpiece into the instrument - just a gentle twist is all that is required otherwise it
could get stuck.
Tuning slides need to be
kept clean and lubricated. If they become stiff, remove them, clean with a soft cloth and
then apply new Tuning
Slide Grease. Remember to move the slide in and out regularly to
avoid it seizing up If they are stuck solid, give the instrument to your tutor to take an
instrument to a repairer.
Piston valves are
precision made to fit perfectly. Any dirt or that finds its way between the valve and
valve casing can stop the valve functioning and possibly to cause damage. Valves should be
oiled using Valve
Oil every
time you play -NEVER use Vaseline or grease.
If they start to stick or become sluggish, clean them, one at a time, with a clean dry
cloth. Remove the bottom cap and then pass the cloth through the casing to clean it using
a Cleaning
Rod.
If there are hard deposits inside the casing a Valve
Casing Brush can be used to remove
them. Don't use anything sharp in the casing, as even a slight scratch will hinder
the valve action. Apply a couple of drops of oil to the valve, insert into the casing, and
gently turn clockwise until the valve guide drops into place. Gently tighten top and
bottom cap, taking care not to cross-thread them, then move the valve up and down a few
time to evenly distribute the oil.
Rotary valves, found on
French horns and some trombones, also require lubrication, the difference being that these
valves cannot be dismantled and reassembled without special tools. Unscrew the top domed
cap and apply a couple of drops of Rotary
Valve Oil to the spindle. Operate
the valve a few times and check that the oil is distributed around the spindle. Check that
the mark on the spindle lines up with the marks on the valve. If they don't the
valves will require realigning by a repairer. Replace the cap. The pivot screw on the
valve lever can also be lubricated with Rotary
Valve Oil
The slide of a trombone
again must be very clean for a smooth action. To do this, remove the outer slide and wipe
the inner slides with a Lint-free
Clean Cloth. Then fill the outer
slide with warm soapy water and, using a Flexible
Cleaning Brush, give both tubes a good
clean. Rinse with clean water. Apply Slide
Cream
sparingly to the ends (stocking) of the inner slides. Replace the outer onto the inner
ensuring that they are the correct way round (by checking that the slide lock works). Move
the slide in and out to distribute the cream. Apply a couple of drops of Trombone
Slide Oil. Regularly spray the inner slides with water from a
spray
bottle and work in. Always keep
the slide locked when the instrument is not being played.
About every month or so,
the whole instrument should be immersed in a bath of warm, never hot, soapy water. Remove
all of the slides and valves (except rotary) before immersing. Put the slides in. The
valves will need to have the felts removed before immersing. After leaving all the parts to soak use a Valve
Brush and
a Flexible
Cleaning Brush to clean awkward curves
and long tubing. Remove and flush all the parts with clean water and dry with a soft
cloth. Lubricate all slides and valves as described above and refit to the instrument. Ideally,
brass instruments should be serviced once a year to maintain the condition of the valves
and slide. Contact Brass-Fix UK for further details.
Any small dents in the
instrument will not adversely affect the sound but larger dents may affect the tuning of
the instrument Contact Brass-Fix UK for a quote.