Brass Instrument Maintenance

888-51MUSIC

Locally: 320-214-9433

Whitney Music

Jazz n’ Java

Whitney Music Center

320-262-3999

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Whitney Music

Jazz N Java

Care of Brass Instruments

1. Take special care of the mouthpiece. Rinse thoroughly after use. Remove any dirt with mouthpiece brush or toothpick.

2. Clean the valves frequently when instrument is new—in order to remove the microscopic bits of metal that wear off as you break in the valves. Do this daily for the first two or three weeks, even if the valves seem to work satisfactorily.

3. Once a month, flush out the entire instrument. Remove mouthpieces and tuning slides, unscrew valve caps and remove valves from casings. Flush interior of instrument with lukewarm water (NEVER HOT), scrub bore with special flexible wire bristle brush, rinse with cold water, and drain it thoroughly.

4. Wipe valve casings dry by pulling a clean, lint-free cloth through them.

5. Wash pistons and dry with clean, lint-free cloth. Never use cleaning rod for cleaning portholes; their corners are sharp and easily dented. Just draw the cloth through the portholes to remove dirt and moisture.

6. Wash pistons and dry with clean, lint-free cloth. Never use cleaning rod for cleaning portholes; their corners are sharp and easily dented. Just draw the cloth through the portholes to remove dirt and moisture.

7. Apply Selmer Tuning Slide Grease to the tuning slides before reassembling the instrument.

TROMBONES: To clean slides, remove inner slides and pour a little lukewarm water into the outer slides. Insert inner slides and “slush pump” in and out. Rinse well. Use cleaning rod and soft, lint-free cloth to clean slides. Apply a small amount of Selmer Liquid Slide Cream along each inner slide and reinsert in outer slides.

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