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BRASS CARE
Flute - Saxophone - Trumpet - Trombone
GENERAL CLEANING
Brass instruments need to be cleaned internally on a regular basis. Please note that rotor instruments such as French Horns, Rotor Tubas, and Rotor Trombones should not be cleaned at home, they generally 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.
Take extra care to prevent exposure to sudden changes in temperature and humidity. Avoid direct, extended exposure to:
* Sunlight
* Rain
* Heaters
* Air Conditioners
Remove all moisture after you have finished playing.
Important
Never force the mouthpiece in place. Avoid knocking or striking the mouthpiece inward. This can cause the mouthpiece to become permanently stuck. If your mouthpiece becomes stuck please visit your local repair shop. They have special tools to remove mouthpieces. Never use pliers or other gripping tools to remove a stuck mouthpiece.
SAXOPHONE CARE
Tuning
* Pitch is affected by temperature, so warm your saxophone up before playing by blowing air through it.
* Be sure that the mouthpiece covers 3/4 of the neck cork. This is ideal placement for tuning.
* Use the correct pitch for tuning. Eb Alto saxophone tuning pitch is G, the Bb Tenor and Bb Soprano saxophone use tuning pitch C.
* Pulling out or pushing in the mouthpiece in small increments can adjust the intonation from sharp to flat.
* The length you pull out, or push in, depends on individual preference and method of playing.
Cleaning the interior
* After playing always insert your cleaning swab into your instrument to remove moisture.
* After each use rub the outside of the mouthpiece with a soft cloth then scrub the inside of your mouthpiece with a mouthpiece brush. You can use lukewarm water and mild soap. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.
* Use a neck snake once a week to remove particles and moisture from the neck of your saxophone. Run the brush end through the neck to remove particles. Use the cotton swab end to remove any residue and/or moisture.
Cleaning the Pads
* Dry the pads by inserting cleaning pad paper between it and the tone hole. Lightly press the key down and carefully pull the paper away
Cleaning the exterior
* After each use, rub on outside of your instrument to remove particles and fingerprints. Rub briskly to return finish to its fine luster.
* Use a key brush once a week to remove dust or lint that accumulates around post and springs and under key rods.
* Use a pipe cleaner on hard to reach areas.
* Apply small amounts of cork grease on neck cork to maintain the quality of the cork and to make mouthpiece assembly easy. Remember to always remove your mouthpiece when not in use.
Other helpful hints:
* Avoid fluids that contain sugar prior to playing. If drinking or eating prior to playing rinse out your mouth.
* Remove your trumpet from its case by lifting it from the lead pipe and bell
* Always remove the mouthpiece from your trumpet when not in use
* Always store your trumpet in its case when not in use to prevent damage
* Your instrument is a valuable item and should be treated with respect. By following the guidelines above your instrument should provide you and your listeners with years of enjoyment
* If you remain uncertain after reading these guidelines on how to assemble and clean you're Trumpet, seek advice at your local music store or from a music teacher.
* Damage caused by incorrect assembly and/or inappropriate handling will not be covered by the warranty.
TRUMPET CARE
It is important to disassemble and thoroughly clean the instrument after playing, and especially prior to placing it in its case for storage between playing sessions. In addition to the steps described below we recommend that you take you instrument to a skilled technician at least once a year to be serviced. Remember the better you care for your instrument the more enjoyment and please you will receive from it.
Tuning
* Pitch is affected by temperature, so be sure to warm up your instrument before playing by blowing air through it.
* Four tuning slides are incorporated in to your Trumpet. These enable the fine-tuning and intonation of the instrument to be adjusted.
* Make sure that all the trumpet tuning slides are pushed all the way in.
* You can use a chromatic tuner or piano
* The tuning pitch for the Bb trumpet is C, played using an open valve combination in the 3rd partial.
* Adjust intonation with the main tuning slide by pushing in or pulling out in small increments.
* Not every pitch on the trumpet will be in tune as fine tuning of the intonation is done with the embouchure and valve slides.
For more guidance on tuning your instrument we recommend that you seek advice from a retail store, music teacher, or technician.
Cleaning valves
Regular oiling of the valve pistons is fundamental to the smooth operation and playing of the instrument. Valve oil (provided) should be applied (sparingly) to each valve. To apply valve oil, follow the procedure for cleaning and maintenance of the valve piston as described below:
* Unscrew valve cap to remove valve piston
* Remove valve piston in a straight line. Do not twist piston.
* Valve pistons and casings are NOT interchangeable. Each valve pistons and casting have a number on them (# 1, 2, and 3), make sure you place the valves in the correct castings.
* Inspect the valve piston and casing. If there is any damage to the valves or valve casings, take your instrument to your dealer or local technician for repair.
* Apply valve oil (enclosed) sparingly to ensure adequate lubrication
* Place the valve carefully back into the proper casing, aligning the valve guide with the guide slot. Tighten the top valve cap. Move piston up and down to ensure even oil coating over the entire surface.
Valve Casing
* The valve casings should be cleaned on a weekly basis.
* To clean valve casing remove piston as described above
* Insert a valve brush through the valve casing and pull back up. Repeat several times. You can also use the brush to clean the portholes of the valve pistons.
* Replace pistons as described above.
Tuning Slides and Lead Pipe
* Carefully remove all tuning slides and clean with a snake-brush by running it through the insides of the slides
* Clean the lead pipe while the main tuning slide is removed by dropping a snake into the lead pipe and push through to mouth piece receptacle. Remove and repeat several times.
* Use a small amount of slide-grease to lubricate the slides before replacing them in the correct receptacles.
Exterior
* Gently remove any dirt, perspiration and finger marks from the surface of the instrument with the cleaning/polishing cloth (provided).
* Rub briskly to return finish to its fine luster.
Cleaning the Mouthpiece
* Soak the mouthpiece in a solution of warm soapy water. Using a brass mouthpiece brush scrub the inside and outside
* Rinse thoroughly with clean, warm water.
Cleaning the Water Keys
* A tone hole cleaner may be used to clean and dry the water keys.
Other helpful hints:
* Avoid fluids that contain sugar prior to playing. If drinking or eating prior to playing rinse out your mouth.
* Remove your trumpet from its case by lifting it from the lead pipe and bell
* Always remove the mouthpiece from your trumpet when not in use
* Always store your trumpet in its case when not in use to prevent damage
* Your instrument is a valuable item and should be treated with respect. By following the guidelines above your instrument should provide you and your listeners with hours of pleasure
* If you remain uncertain after reading these guidelines on how to assemble and clean you're Trumpet, seek advice at your local music store or from a music teacher.
* Damage caused by incorrect assembly and/or inappropriate handling will not be covered by the warranty.
TROMBONE CARE
Tuning
* Pitch is affected by temperature, so be sure to warm up your instrument before playing by blowing air through it.
* Tuning your trombone is done by adjusting the tuning slide until you achieve the desired pitch
* The tuning pitch for the Bb trombone is Bb, played using the 1st slide position in the 3rd partial.
* Fine-tuning of the intonation is done with the embouchure and the main tuning slide
Lubricating the Hand Slide
* Carefully remove the outer slide and lay it on a clean, flat surface.
* Wipe inner slide clean of old cream, dirt, and foreign substances.
* Apply a small amount of slide cream to the stocking of the inner slides (the part that is slightly thicker than the rest). Spread evenly, until it is coated with a thin film. Do not apply too much slide cream as this will hinder the movement of the slides.
* Use a cleanning spray bottle to spray water evenly over the inner slides.
* Replace the outer slide, moving it back and forth to spread the lubricant evenly.
Lubricating the Tuning Slide
Slide grease keeps slides airtight and maintains smooth movement. It is an essential factor in the care of your horn. To apply slide grease:
* Remove the tuning slide and wipe clean of dirt and foreign substances.
* Apply a thin coating of slide grease to the inner slide surface. Replace the slide, working it in to ensure that the grease is evenly and thoroughly spread.
Cleaning the Mouthpiece
* Soak the mouthpiece in a solution of warm soapy water. Using a brass mouthpiece brush scrub the inside and outside
* Rinse thoroughly with clean, warm water.
Cleaning the Water Keys
* A tone hole cleaner may be used to clean and dry the water keys.
Other helpful hints:
* Avoid fluids that contain sugar prior to playing. If drinking or eating prior to playing rinse out your mouth.
* Remove your trombone from its case by lifting it from the lead pipe and bell
* Always remove the mouthpiece from your trombone when not in use
* Always store your trombone in its case when not in use to prevent damage
* Your instrument is a valuable item and should be treated with respect. By following the guidelines above your instrument should provide you and your listeners with yours on enjoyment
* If you remain uncertain after reading these guidelines on how to assemble and clean you're Trombone, seek advice at your local music store or from a music teacher.
* Damage caused by incorrect assembly and/or inappropriate handling will not be covered by the warranty.
WOODWIND CARE
Clarinet - Flute/Piccolo
CLARINET CARE
Tuning
* Pitch is affected by temperature, so warm up the instrument before playing by blowing air through it.
* You can use a chromatic tuner or piano
* The tuning pitch for the clarinet are C and G
* Play a C and G on the piano or find it on your tuner
* To tune, pull barrel slightly away from the body. The length you pull the barrel out depends on individual preference and method of playing. You can further adjust your intonation by pulling out on the upper and lower joints.
Removing your reed
* Remove the reed from the mouthpiece by loosening the ligature and sliding it off. Gently dry the reed with a clean cloth and place it in a reed holder.
Cleaning the interior
* After playing always insert your cleaning swab into your instrument to remove moisture.
* After each use rub the outside of the mouthpiece with a soft cloth then scrub the inside of your mouthpiece with a mouthpiece brush. You can use lukewarm water and mild soap. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.
Cleaning the Pads
* Dry the pads by inserting cleaning pad paper between it and the tone hole. Lightly press the key down and carefully pulling the paper away
Cleaning the exterior
* After each use, rub on outside of your instrument with a polishing cloth to remove particles and fingerprints.
* Use a key brush once a week to remove dust or lint that accumulates around post and springs and under key rods.
* Use a pipe cleaner on hard to reach areas.
* Tenons tend to collect moisture, especially at the upper and lower joints. Remove all moisture from tenons cork with gauze.
* Apply small amounts of cork grease on neck cork to maintain the quality of the cork and to make mouthpiece assembly easy. Remember to always remove your mouthpiece when not in use.
Other helpful hints:
* Avoid fluids that contain sugar prior to playing. If drinking or eating prior to playing rinse out your mouth.
* Remove your clarinet from its case by lifting it from the edges
* Always store your clarinet in its case when not in use to prevent damage
* Your instrument is a valuable item and should be treated with respect. By following the guidelines above your instrument should provide you and your listeners with years of enjoyment
* If you remain uncertain after reading these guidelines on how to assemble and clean you're clarinet, seek advice at your local music store or from a music teacher.
* Damage caused by incorrect assembly and/or inappropriate handling will not be covered by the warranty.
FLUTE/PICCOLO CARE
Tuning:
* Pitch is affected by temperature, so warm up the instrument before playing by blowing air through it.
* You can use a chromatic tuner or piano
* The tuning pitch for the flute is C
* Play a C on the piano or find it on your tuner
* To tune, pull headjoint slightly away from the body. The length you pull the headjoint out depends on individual preference and method of playing.
Cleaning the interior
* After playing always insert your cleaning swab into your instrument to remove moisture.
* After playing clean the inside of the head joint and foot with a coil swab by pushing one end of swab into the head joint and turn back and forth to remove particles and moisture.
Cleaning the Pads
* Dry the pads by inserting cleaning pad paper between it and the tone hole. Lightly press the key down and carefully pulling the paper away
Cleaning the exterior
* After each use, rub the outside of your instrument with a polishing cloth to remove particles and fingerprints.
* Use a key brush once a week to remove dust or lint that accumulates around post and springs and under key rods.
* Use a pipe cleaner on hard to reach areas.
* Use a small amount of cork grease on joints to help ease assembly of your flute. Wipe off excess.
Other helpful hints:
* Avoid fluids that contain sugar prior to playing. If drinking or eating prior to playing rinse out your mouth.
* Always use care when removing your flute from its case. Never grab instrument by its keys.
* Always disassemble instrument when not in use.
* Always store your flute in its case when not in use to prevent damage
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