Brass instrument care and maintenance

Brass instruments look tough but should be treated as if it were made of glass. Brass instruments are easily dented, especially the larger ones, and though some dents have little effect, one tiny dent in a trombone slide or valve case can make the instrument unplayable. The following sections cover both general and specific features of brass instruments.

All brass instruments

• Dents matter - treat your instrument with care. Trombone slides are particularly vulnerable. Other dents may effect tuning.
• Mouthpieces should be kept spotlessly clean. A dirty mouthpiece is a home for germs and will effect your tone. Use a mouthpiece brush to wipe out the grime and food debris. Larger mouthpieces can also be cleaned by tightly twisting the comer of a handkerchief or similar cloth and pulling it through.
• Put the mouthpiece in the instrument with a gentle turning action. Never try to remove a stuck mouthpiece as a special tool is required. Take it to your teacher or repairer. Bath time The whole instrument should be given a bath once a month. Thoroughly flush the instrument with warm water and several drops of washing-up liquid. Work the valves (or trombone slide) with the water in the instrument, then rinse with cold water. Take care not to dent the instrument on the bath, sink or taps. Dry the instrument carefully with a soft, clean lint-free cloth and oil the valves and grease the slide/s. Every three months a flexible cleaning brush should be used to clean slides and tubing before giving the instrument its bath.
• Tuning slides - These should be carefully removed one at a time while depressing the appropriate valve. Remove old grease from the inside and outside of the tubing and replace with new slide grease or petroleum jelly. Keep the relevant valve depressed and carefully replace the tuning slide. Gleaming Brass! - The outside of lacquered and silver plated instrument should be wiped with a dry, clean cloth. Never use metal polish on lacquered, brushed silver or silver plated instruments.
• Cases - Yes a gig-bag looks cool but can you afford the repair bill? Gig-bags are light and convenient but offer little protection. If you have to leave your instrument at school or dump it in the boot of a car, keep it in a hard case! Avoid keeping music in your instrument case. Some instruments may be damaged (French Horns in particular) and the music often becomes creased and difficult to use.

Piston Valves used on trumpets, cornets, tenor horns, baritones, euphoniums and tubas and occasionally on other instruments. Always remove and replace valves one at a time.

•  Unscrew the top valve cap and gently remove the valve, taking care not to lose the valve spring.
  
• Remove the cap at the bottom of the casing and carefully clean the piston, spring (if present), caps and inside of the casing with a clean, lint-free cloth.
• Use quality piston oil to coat the valve but try to avoid getting it in the holes
•  Replace the valve, rotating it until it clicks into position. Gently blow through the instrument to check valve is aligned properly.
• If air doesn't flow, rotate valve half a turn.
• Replace the valve cap, screwing it up finger tight (occasionally lightly grease the valve cap thread).
  

Rotary Valves (mainly on French horns and some trombones) Three different parts of the valve mechanism require weekly oiling (there are different grades of oil available for each operation, but valve oil would suffice). If you are hiring a Kent Music instrument, never disassemble a rotary valve nor its linkage unless your Kent Music teacher has shown you how.

• Backplate
  • Remove the backplate and place a drop of oil on the raised disc
  • Replace the backplate screwing it up finger tight (occasionally lightly grease the backplate thread)
  • Repeat for other valves
• Valve spindle
  • Place a drop of oil in the gap giving access to the spindle
• The Rotor
  • Remove the valve slide.
  • Squirt a few drops of valve oil into the slide.
  • Replace slide fully holding instrument so that oil will work its way into the valve

Trombone Slides

You need to clean your slide at least once a week assuming you are doing a useful amount of practice!

• Weekly
  • While holding the slide section only, carefully remove the outer slide
  • Wipe away all old lubricant with a soft, lint-free cloth
  • Re-cream the slide as directed by your teacher.
• Monthly
  • Run warm soapy water into a bath - not hot - as it may damage the lacquer
  • Separate the inner and outer slides and allow to soak for half an hour
  • Use a slide brush to clean out the insides, using frequent movements, but do not try to run it around the bend
  • Flush with clean water
  • Re-cream the slide.

On the links page you will find sites which give much more detailed advice on brass instrument maintenance