SPECIFICS ON INSTRUMENT CARE

FLUTE

Swab your flute using the tuning rod with a silk, linen, or cotton cloth after each use.
Use the swab to wipe down the outside of your instrument after you play.

CLARINET

REEDS
~ Always store your reeds in a reed case, never on the mouthpiece. It will cement to the mouthpiece and cause mold and other germs to form.
~ Your reeds are very fragile - never touch the thin side of your reed with anything.
Swab the inside of your clarinet after you play (not the mouthpiece)
Mouthpieces can be cleaned by running warm water through them and drying them off with a paper towel. *Don't get the cork too wet
Use cork grease lightly once a week to help keep your corks moist.
Tone holes can be cleaned using cotton swabs.

SAXOPHONE

REEDS
~ Always store your reeds in a reed case, never on the mouthpiece. It will cement to the mouthpiece and cause mold and other germs to form.
~ Your reeds are very fragile - never touch the thin side of your reed with anything.
Swab the inside of your saxophone after you play (not the mouthpiece)
Mouthpieces can be cleaned by running warm water through them and drying them off with a paper towel.
Clean the neck of the saxophone with a cloth.
Use cork grease lightly once a week to help keep your cork moist.
You can polish the outside of the saxophone lightly with a cloth.

TIP: For sticky pads on flute, clarinet, and saxophone, use a clean dollar bill to remove the dirt.

TRUMPET/BARITONE

Empty all water (spit valves) before putting the instrument in its case.
Valves should be oiled once a day (3-4 drops) to avoid sticky valves.
Grease slides once a week to avoid sticky slides.
Mouthpieces can be cleaned with warm, soapy water, and a mouthpiece brush.

FRENCH HORN

Empty slides every time after you play - push down on valves when pulling out slides.
Do not run water through the horn, or attempt to swab.
Slides can be cleaned with water and a brush.
Slides should be greased with slide grease at least once a month.
Do not pull stuck valves - bring it to a repair person. The metal is so thin that it could bend or warp.
Check top and bottom valve caps at least once a week so they do not get stuck.
Valves should be oiled daily (3-4 drops)
The string on the valves should be replaced by a repair person once a year.
The horn can be polished lightly with a soft, dry cloth.

TROMBONE

Empty moisture from spit valve on slide after every use.
Keep slide locked whenever you are not playing.
Tuning slide should be greased once a week.
The main slide should be lubricated regularly, and should move effortlessly.
Always keep a good watch on your trombone slide so as not to bump it and make dents.

PERCUSSION

Always make sure you are using the correct mallets:
Glockenspiel/Bells - Plastic mallets/NO wooden, felt, yarn, or cord mallets
Snare Drum (Drum Pad) - Standard wooden drumsticks/NO metal or keyboard mallets

Rentals: Services