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All music students need to take care of their instruments properly. None of the instruments are toys and they are all breakable. Please read on to find out how to care for your investment.
Flutes Oboes Clarinets Saxophones Trumpets Trombones French Horns Brass Cleaning
Violins/Violas
Cellos/Basses
Bow Care
1. When removing your flute from its
case never pick it up by its keys. Remove it by the ends where there are no
keys.
2. Put the flute together with a slow back-and-forth twisting motion, never push
or pull the flute when assembling or disassembling this can cause the instrument
to become bent at the joints.
3. Each time you put the flute together a small amount of debris will build-up
on the tenons (joints where the flute fits together), however, this can
make it difficult to assemble. Always wipe the tenons (joints) with a soft cloth
before assembling.
4. The use of lubricants on the tenons is not recommended - this can
cause damage over time. The only exception to this rule is on some piccolos and
wood flutes that have cork joints. You should apply a small amount of cork
grease to these joints, as needed, to aid in assembly.
5. After you are finished playing, use a cleaning rod with an absorbent cloth to
swab out the inside of all parts to remove moisture. Carefully wipe off the
outside of the flute to remove oils or perspiration caused by your hands.
6. Always store your flute in its case when not in use, this helps prevent
damage and aids in keeping the instrument from tarnishing. Do not place anything
in the case that can press on the flute, this can bend keys.
Oboes
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1. When removing your oboe from its case never pick it up by the
keys. Remove it by the ends where there are no keys.
2. When putting your oboe together, first apply a small amount of cork grease to
the tenon (joints where the oboe fits together) corks.
3.Put the oboe together with a slow back-and-forth twisting motion, never push
or pull the clarinet when assembling or disassembling this can damage the tenon
or tear the cork.
4. Store your reeds in a reed case. While you are assembling your oboe, soak
your reed in water. (Don't let the water reach the colored string holding the
reed together. Apply cork grease to the cork on the reed and place it in the top
of the oboe using a slow back-and-forth twisting motion.
5. After you are finished playing, pull a cleaning swab through all parts of the
oboe to remove moisture. Carefully wipe off the outside of the instrument
and keys to remove oils or perspiration caused by your hands.
6. Always store your oboe in its case when not in use, this helps prevent damage
and aids in keeping the instrument clean. Do not place anything in the case that
can press on the oboe, this can bend keys.
1. When removing your clarinet from its case never pick it up by the keys.
Remove it by the ends where there are no keys.
2. When putting your clarinet together, first apply a small amount of cork
grease to the tenon (joints where the clarinet fits together) corks.
3.Put the clarinet together with a slow back-and-forth twisting motion, never
push or pull the clarinet when assembling or disassembling this can damage the
tenon or tear the cork.
4. When tightening the screws on the ligature, the device that holds the reed on
the mouthpiece, take care not to over tighten them this can cause the screw to
break.
5. After you are finished playing, pull a cleaning swab through all parts of the
clarinet to remove moisture. Carefully wipe off the outside of the
instrument and keys to remove oils or perspiration caused by your hands.
6. Always store your clarinet in its case when not in use, this helps prevent
damage and aids in keeping the instrument clean. Do not place anything in the
case that can press on the clarinet, this can bend keys.
Saxophones
1. When removing your saxophone from its case never pick it up by the
keys. Remove it by picking it up by the bell.
2. When assembling your saxophone be sure to wipe the neck joint and inside of
the receiver with a soft cloth This will make it easier to assemble.
3. Apply a small amount of cork grease to the mouthpiece cork to help the
mouthpiece move into position.
4. When tightening the screws on the ligature, the device that holds the reed on
the mouthpiece, take care not to over tighten them this can cause the screw to
break.
5. After you are finished playing, pull a cleaning swab through the saxophone to
remove moisture. Carefully wipe off the outside of the instrument and keys
to remove oils or perspiration caused by your hands.
6. Always store your saxophone in its case when not in use, this helps prevent
damage and aids in keeping the instrument clean. Do not place books or folders
in the case, this can bend keys.
Trumpets/Baritones/Euphoniums/Tubas
Daily Care
1. Valves on brass instruments need to be
lubricated on a regular basis. To do this: (a) Unscrew the valve cap and pull
the valve out about half way. (b) Apply a drop of valve oil to the wide part of
the valve. (c) Push the valve back into position making sure that it is lined up
correctly. (Note): The valve has a guide that keeps it in place. To check for
correct alignment gently try to turn the valve. If it doesn't turn it is lined
up. If it turns keep turning the valve till you hear a slight "click" and the
valve stops turning.
2. Occasionally a mouthpiece will become stuck in the horn. If this happens
don't try force to remove it - this can cause major damage to the
instrument. Take it to your music teacher, a repair shop or music store to have
it removed. Most shops do not charge for this service.
3. After you are finished playing make sure you remove any excess moisture from
the inside of the horn by opening the water keys and blowing through the
instrument. Carefully wipe off the outside of the instrument to remove oils or
perspiration caused by your hands.
4. Always store your trumpet in its case when not in use, this helps prevent
damage and aids in keeping the instrument clean. Do not place books or folders
in the case, this can bend slides and cause valve problems.
Monthly Care
1. Check all slides to see that they move freely and lubricate them with
slide grease if needed.
2. The inside of your instrument needs to be cleaned regularly. This may not be
needed every month but should be done at least every 3 months. See the section
below on Brass Cleaning for more information.
Daily Care
1. Great care is needed when handling your trombone. The smallest bump or
dent in the slide can cause problems with its proper movement. Due to the
precision needed in adjustment of the slide, repairs are time consuming and
costly so...Be Careful !
2. The slide needs to be lubricated on a regular basis. Apply a small amount of
slide oil or cream to the boot area of the slide as needed. The boot is at the
very end of the slide, so be careful not to allow the slide to slip off the
trombone.
3. Occasionally a mouthpiece will become stuck in the trombone. If this happens
don't try force to remove it - this can cause major damage to the
instrument. Take it to your music teacher, a repair shop or music store to have
it removed. Most shops do not charge for this service.
4. After you are finished playing make sure you remove any excess moisture from
the inside of the trombone by opening the water key and blowing through the
instrument. Carefully wipe off the outside of the trombone to remove oils or
perspiration caused by your hands.
5. Always store your trombone in its case when not in use, this helps prevent
damage and aids in keeping the instrument clean. Do not place books or folders
in the case, this can bend slides and cause problems.
Monthly Care
1. Check the tuning slide to see that it moves freely and lubricate it with
slide grease if needed.
2. The inside of your trombone needs to be cleaned regularly. This may not be
needed every month but should be done at least every 3 months. See the section
below on Brass Cleaning for more information.
1. Occasionally a mouthpiece will become stuck in the horn. If this happens
don't try force to remove it - this can cause major damage to the
instrument. Take it to your music teacher, a repair shop or music store to have
it removed. Most shops do not charge for this service.
2. After you are finished playing make sure you remove any excess moisture from
the inside of the horn by opening the water keys and blowing through the
instrument. Carefully wipe off the outside of the instrument to remove oils or
perspiration caused by your hands.
3. Always store your french horn in its case when not in use, this helps prevent
damage and aids in keeping the instrument clean. Do not place books or folders
in the case, this can bend slides and cause valve problems.
Monthly Care
1. Check all slides to see that they move freely and lubricate them with
slide grease if needed.
Brass instruments need to be cleaned internally on a regular basis.
The following is a description of that process. Please note that rotor
instruments such as French Horns, Rotor Tubas, and Rotor Trombones should not be
cleaned at home, they have special requirements and should only be cleaned by a
qualified repair shop.
To clean your instrument you must take it apart completely. You will also
need some cleaning brushes (available at music stores), valve oil, slide grease,
and some liquid dish soap. You will also need a place to clean the instrument.
Unless you have a large sink the bath tub is probably the best place. PLEASE be
sure to do this with a parent or other adult helping you. Elementary students
SHOULD NOT take apart their instruments without adult supervision. If you are
not comfortable helping your child with this activity, please take the
instrument to a music store for a complete cleaning.
1. Carefully remove all slides, valves and valve bottom caps. Extreme care
should be taken with trombone slides as they are very delicate, especially when
they are apart! If any of the slides are stuck take your instrument to a repair
shop to have them removed. They can be damaged if not removed properly.
2. Place all the parts, except for the valves, in warm, not hot, water
containing some liquid dish soap. Let the instrument parts soak in the water for
about 10 minutes.
3. While the instrument soaks, take the valves and run warm water over them and
brush out all openings in the valves with the valve brush. Shake off any extra
water and set valves aside to dry.
4.Next brush out all tubes with the "snake" and the valve casings with the valve
brush. Be sure to clean any debris from inside the valve bottom caps.
5. Use clean water and rinse out the instrument. Wipe off any excess moisture
and set the instrument aside to dry thoroughly. It is important that the inside
of your instrument is completely dry before you proceed.
6. Apply a small amount of slide grease to each slide and reassemble. Be sure
not to put slide grease on the main trombone slide. Use slide cream or slide
oil on this slide.
7. Install the valve bottom caps. Put a drop of valve oil on each valve and
install them in their proper location. Valves are numbered and must be in the
correct location to operate properly.
8. You are finished. Enjoy playing your newly cleaned instrument !
1. Always keep your instrument in its case when not in use .
2. Avoid rapid temperature changes. If you bring your violin from a cold area into a warm area leave it in its case, to change temperature slowly, because cracking of the finish or wood can occur. A good rule-of-thumb is not to leave your violin any place that you would not like to be. So don't leave it in extreme hot or cold environments.
3. After you are finished playing remove any rosin and hand oils from the instrument with a soft cloth. Don't let rosin buildup on your violin. Remove it after each time you play. It is very difficult to remove if left on your instrument for any length of time.
4. Keep an eye on the bridge. As you tune the instrument the strings tend to pull the top of the bridge toward the fingerboard. If the bridge tips too much it will fall over. This can break the bridge or even crack the top. If the bridge falls the soundpost inside the violin may also fall over. The back side of the bridge (side toward the tailpiece) should be at a right angle to the top and the feet of the bridge should touch the top uniformly. If your bridge tilts take your violin to a shop and have them show you how to straighten it. Its not hard to do but unless it is done correctly you could break it.
5. Be sure that your pegs turn freely with minimum pressure toward the peg box. Over time the pegs will go out of round and start to slip. If this happens they will need to be refitted for proper operation. During dry conditions they may shrink, causing slipping. In humid conditions they may swell causing them to stick. Never force a peg into the peg box if it slips and if it is stuck don't force it either. You could break the peg or the peg box under these conditions. Take your instrument to a repair shop and have them correct the problem.
1. Always keep your instrument in its case or bag when not in use .
2. It is always best to set your cello or bass on its side when you are not playing. If your instrument falls over it may break the bridge or the neck. Be Careful !
3. Avoid rapid temperature changes. If you bring your cello or bass from a cold area into a warm area leave it in its case, to change temperature slowly, because cracking of the finish or wood can occur. A good rule-of-thumb is not to leave your instrument any place that you would not like to be. So don't leave it in extreme hot or cold environments.
4. After you are finished playing remove any rosin and hand oils from the instrument with a soft cloth. Don't let rosin buildup on your instrument. Remove it after each time you play. It is very difficult to remove if left on your instrument for any length of time.
5. Keep an eye on the bridge. As you tune the instrument the strings tend to pull the top of the bridge toward the fingerboard. If the bridge tips too much it may fall over. This can break the bridge or even crack the top. If the bridge falls the soundpost inside the instrument may also fall over. The back side of the bridge (side toward the tailpiece) should be at a right angle to the top and the feet of the bridge should touch the top uniformly. If your bridge tilts take your cello or bass to a shop and have them straighten it. Unless it is done correctly you could break the bridge.
6. Be sure that your pegs turn freely with minimum pressure toward the peg box. Over time the pegs will go out of round and start to slip. If this happens they will need to be refitted for proper operation. During dry conditions they may shrink, causing slipping. In humid conditions they may swell causing them to stick. Never force a peg into the peg box if it slips and if it is stuck don't force it either. You could break the peg or the peg box under these conditions. Take your instrument to a repair shop and have them correct the problem. Basses and some cellos have mechanical tuners and a drop of light machine oil should be applied to all bearing surfaces about every 6 months.
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Updated 2/19/10