Daily Care
Every time you get trombone out to play, spray the inner slide with water.
After every use, empty water key (spit valve) onto your spit rag or into a garbage can.
Lock slide by turning the slide lock to the right (test it).
Twist and pull the mouthpiece out of the mouthpiece receiver and place properly in the case. If the mouthpiece cannot be removed easily, bring the trombone to school and have one of the band teachers remove it for you.
Set your spit rag or garbage can a few feet away.
Extend right index finger out and reach down to the water key.
Place your lips around mouthpiece receiver.
Pick up trombone (a little lower than playing position).
Push water key open with index finger.
Blow gently. Condensation with drip out.
Set trombone in front of you with slide bumper on ground.
Loosen the connection screw.
Carefully place the bell section properly into the case.
Carefully place the slide section properly into the case.
Put your spit rag into the case. Close the lid and latch/zip the case.
Place pencil and highlighter in pencil pouch.
Keep your binder, lesson, book, and instrument in one place so you don’t lose anything!
Carry your trombone upright and close to your upper body to prevent bumps.
If you need to set it down, gently place it upright with the bell sitting on the front edge of your chair - the action of setting it down should be SILENT!
Never rest the trombone against a music stand!
Always put your trombone completely away when you’re done playing, with all case latches or zippers closed.
Weekly Care
Lubricate slide
Remove lid from the Slide-o-mix and Superslick spray bottle and set both on a flat surface within reach.
Unlock the slide. You may want to stand up during this process.
Hold your trombone vertically with your left hand, keeping slide bumper on floor.
Hold onto the slide with your right hand. With your left hand, lift the trombone up so that most of the slide is exposed. Be careful not to take the slide completely off.
Wipe the old oil off the slide with soft cloth.
Pick up Slide-o-mix and turn it upside down with the tip against the top of the exposed inner slide. Squeeze gently, moving the bottle around the top of the slide. Notice gravity will cause oil to run down inner slide. Set Slide-o-mix down.
Bring trombone down and back up again to distribute oil, keeping slide bumper on floor.
Pick up the Superslick spray bottle and hold it 6 inches away from inner slide.
Spray each side of the inner slide 1 time with water to activate the oil.
Bring the trombone down and back up again to distribute water, keeping slide bumper on floor.
Replace the lids and put both bottles away.
Scrub mouthpiece with warm water, soap, and mouthpiece brush. Rinse well. Dry.
Polish trombone with polishing cloth.
Monthly Care
Check tuning slide and apply slide grease if it doesn’t move easily.
Take bell section out of case
Set the bell on floor
Carefully remove tuning slide
Wipe old oil off slide with soft cloth
Apply a small amount of tuning slide grease
Put tuning slide back into instrument
Wash spit rag and put back in trombone case.