Caring for your Instrument

As we get heavily into the cold and flu season a couple of reminders about keeping instruments properly cleaned out.  Each time after a student has played their instrument that instrument should be cleaned.  All flute and clarinet players have a cleaning cloth.  Flute players have a polishing cloth which they may also use on the outside of their flutes.  I would highly encourage you to wash your cleaning cloth every couple of weeks.

All woodwind instruments should take their reeds off the mouthpieces each time after they play.  This will not only prolong the reed life but will also allow for correct cleaning of the mouthpiece.  If the mouthpiece has an odor to it I would suggest that you take an old toothbrush with toothpaste and brush the mouthpiece out like you would your teeth.  While you are doing this I would also have you do an eyeball of the rest of your instrument to check for loose screws etc....clean out the case, vacuum it and lastly use furniture polish on the outside of the case.  This will not only clean the case but will prevent water buildup and water spotting. Please make sure as a final step that you have your name, address, and phone number on a label outside of the case. Saxophone players can use the furniture polish on the bell and outside of the instrument along with the case.  PLEASE dispose of any broken reeds.

Brass players you should be making sure the valves are oiled, slides greased and working along with using the furniture polish on the bells of your instruments.  Trombone players make sure you are cleaning your slides and keeping them in good working order.  Check you spit corks to make sure that they are not leaking.  Use  a little salt added for about 10 minutes.  You can clean the inside of the mouth piece out by using cotton swabs.  Again, please make sure that youcleanout you case and have the case.

Percussion players should make sure the heads are in good shape on both the top and the bottom and that the snare is working properly. Window cleaner is great or cleaning the metal outside and works with both heads. If you have minor repair issues with your instrument please bring it to my attention.  I can repair most minor things.  Also please remember that we have a professional repair person that calls on our school once every other week.  He repairs instruments on a regular basis for our school at no cost.  It doesn't matter whether they are school instruments or
personal instruments.

Remember if the repair falls into the major category then they will need to go into the repair shop where there will be a cost. So.... remember a little preventive cleaning now may prevent a repair cost later.

Lastly, if you get a mouthpiece stuck in a brass instrument DO NOT try to pull it out on your own.  I have a special tool that wil ldo this.  If you try to pull the stuck mouthpiece out you it will damage the instrument.