Regardless of what musical instrument you or your child starts on, proper maintenance of the instrument is important. The instrument will perform correctly and be sanitary.

Mouthpiece

The mouthpiece is probably the most important part of your horn that needs regular cleaning. (At least once a week or more often). There are brushes available at the local music store to do the job.

Brass Instrument

Needed accessories: Cleaning snake Mouthpiece brush Valve oil Slide grease

The instrument can be wiped down with Windex or Pledge. It is important to
clean the entire horn, at least once a month. Take it to the bathtub. Dawn soap
works well. Pull the slides and take the valves out. Be very careful of the valves
and the valve casings. After the cleaning, re-oil valves and grease the slides. Do
not try to pull the stuck mouthpiece. Take it to the director or the repair shop.
There is a special tool to solve this problem. We have seen many costly repairs
when someone gets out the pliers.

Woodwind Instruments

Needed accessories: Horn swab Mouthpiece brush Cork grease Key oil

The instrument can be wiped down with Armoral or Windex for plastic, and Pledge for wood and brass. First put the cleaner on the cloth. Use a reed hold after playing to keep it flat. The reed will last longer.

General

It is important to limit the number of items you carry in your case. The more items that are in the case, the more likely you are to damage your horn. Unless there is a specific music compartment in your case, music should be carried outside the case.

Mesa, Arizona
(480) 833-2474

Member of
NAPBIRT

Instrument Maintenance and Care

Audio Wizard, Inc  2006