This is what your trumpet should look like...  If you play a trombone, it should look like this.... VALVE CARE

Valves need to be oiled to ensure smooth consistent usage. If they are left too long they will stick. When oiling the valves only remove one at a time as each has to go back in the same place for the intrument to work.

To oil, first remove the screw top of the valve. Wipe with a lint free cloth (no fluffy bits). You may also wish to clean the inside of the valve casing on the trumpet at this point.

Next, put 4 or 5 drops of valve oil onto the valves. Do not use any other type of oil as it will make the valves stick and be difficult to remove. Replace the valve back into the chamber and turn the valve until a click is heard. Then replace the top cap.

Finally, work the valve a few times and then try blowing air through the instrument. If you can't blow any air through, don't worry, its just that you have not replace the valve in quite the correct place. Try turning the valve until you hear a click. If not remove the valve and try again.

Make sure you use great care when oiling your valves. Do not bent the valve as to remove or replace tham as they will not work if they are bent!

There is a video of how to do this here...but its a bit boring and doesn't include cleaning the valves!

 

 

 

Slide Care

 

You need some slide oil (slide o mix is the best, but quite expensive), and a small spray bottle (Superdrug do one for about 70p). Place your slide in 6th position (or very carefully remove the outer slide) Clean with a lint free cloth (no fluffy bits) and then place a small amount of oil or grease at the bottom of the slide. (only use trombone slide oil or grease - not anything from your Dads garage!).

If you are really stuck. a small amount of Ponds Cold cream will work. Ask your Mum for some of this. Move the slide up and down a few times to distribute the oil.

Finally, spray the slide with water.

 

 

Cleaning the slide (not for beginners)

The frequency at which the slide should be cleaned is dependent on how often you play the instrument and the conditions under which it is played. Dusty environments and frequent use will require more frequent cleaning. Generally, professionals will clean their trombone slides once a week.

Tools Required: Cheese cloth: Buy this at the grocery store (or any lint free cloth). Flexible trombone brush: Buy this at the music store. Cleaning rod: Usually comes with the trombone.

Step by Step Cleaning the Inner-Slide:

Fill the assembled slide with warm water. Do not use really hot water as this can damage the laquer finish. The slide must be assembled with the outer-slide for this step. While supporting one side of the tubing, insert the flexible brush into this same side.

The slide can still be filled with the warm water, or you can damp it first. Work the brush into the crook of the outer-slide. Work the brush a little in the tube. Flip the slide over and repeat on the other side. Flush the slide with water and empty it out.

Place the inner-slide out of the way in a safe place. Remember, the inner-slides are delicate, keep them out of harm's way. Cleaning the Outer-Slide: First thread the cheese cloth into the eye of the cleaning rod. Wrap the cheese cloth around the cleaning rod in a spiraling fashion until you can grip the end of the cheese cloth and the end of the rod with one hand.

While supporting one side of the outer-slide (unassembled), use a twisting motion while moving the rod into the tube. Be careful to not push the rod into the crook of the slide. Repeat several times. Ideally, you should change the cheese cloth and repeat this process until the cheese cloth comes out clean. But if you don't have lots of cheese cloth, try re-wrapping the rod with the same cloth to expose a clean side of the cloth.

Repeat the process for the other side of the outer slide. Fill the outer-slide with warm water again and run the flexible brush through the crook again. The previous step may have pushed some grime back into the crook. Flush out the outer-slide and set aside. 

 Retrieve the inner-slide and wipe off the outside surfaces with cheese cloth. Apply what ever lubrication treatment you like to use to the stockings and then reassemble the slide. Remember to take great care with this whole process Tuning slides Use tuning slide grease (sparingly) to keep these working. Cleaning the instrument Use a lacquer cloth to clean instruments.

Do not use brasso as most instruments are covered in a lacquer to keep them shinney. Brasso will remove this in time. If you have a silver instrument, use a silve polish cloth.

 

 

Cleaning the inside of your instrument.

You need to do this this every 3 or 4 months. Use a pull through or cleaning snake to brush out any debris. Do this with the tuning slides removed so you can get to all the parts you need to. You can put your instrument in the bath. Run a warm, but not too hot bath with a little bubble bath of washing up liquid in it. Do not use the citrus type as it attacks the lacquer finish. Take apart the instrument and allow to soak for 5-10 mins and then dry with a lint free cloth.

 Remember to add valve / slide oil and tuning slide grease after doing this.

 

There is a video of a guy doing this below - he has the most boring voice in the world, but if you can stand this it might be useful...

 

Occasionally a mouthpiece can get stuck. If this happens do not try to remove it yourself, and don't let you Dad put it in a vice! This will damage the instrument, and can be costly to repare. Instead take it to a good music shop where they should use a mouthpiece extractor (a machine built to do this). It is a very quick job and should not cost very much. Perhaps if you but a book while you are they there they may even do it for free....???? Hope this helps Mr T.