To keep your instrument in good condition, you need to take care of it correctly. We have put together this brief guide of hints and tips to help you.
Every Usage
- Ensure no food, sweets or sugary drinks are consumed just before or during play as this can clog up the instrument.
- Check that the valves still have a sufficient amount of oil on them.
- Wipe the instrument down after playing with a cloth. Sweat can cause issues to lacquer if this is not cleaned sufficiently.
- Check the instrument over. If something looks out of place, ask your teacher to have a look at it.
Every Two Weeks
- Take the valve out of its casing and wash it down with warm, soapy water. Make sure any residue is removed.
- Give the internal casing a wipe down with a damp cloth and a cleaning brush.
- Make sure both the valve and the casing are dry.
- Put a few drops of valve oil on the bottom section of the valve whilst spinning it to make sure the whole surface has a thin layer of oil.
- Replace the valve and repeat with the other two (we suggest doing one valve at a time to avoid putting the valves back in the wrong way).
- If, when you blow the instrument, there is no sound coming out, you may need to twist the valves into another position.
- Give the mouthpiece a wash with warm, soapy water using a cleaning brush.
Every Few Months
- The instrument will need bathing to clean the inside. Fill your bath with warm water and a small amount of washing-up liquid so the instrument is partially submerged.
- Take the valves, mouthpiece, valve caps and tuning slides off the instrument and leave them to soak in the bath for about 20 minutes.
- Take a cleaning brush and clean the valve casing, valves and mouthpiece thoroughly.
- Rinse the instrument thoroughly, making sure that there are no suds left.
- Dry as much as you can. Leave the inside to air-dry naturally.
- Once dry, oil up the valves (as above), grease the slides and put the instrument back together.
- Please note: some manufacturers engrave the valve number onto the valve as they will not work correctly if put back into the incorrect hole.
