Appendix Q - Musical Instrument Hygiene

Sharing of instruments is routine in music classes and schools, where students practice and perform on borrowed instruments throughout the year. Certain basic considerations and recommendations for standard operating procedures regarding shared instruments are recommended as follows:

1. All musicians or students should have their own instrument if possible.

2. All musicians or students should have their own mouthpiece if possible.

3. All students and faculty sharing reed instruments MUST have their own individual reeds. Reeds should NEVER be shared.

4. If instruments must be shared in class, RMC Neutral Disinfectant Wipes and Neutral Disinfectant solution (both available through the Plant and Operations Department) should be available for disinfection between uses by different people.

*Sterisol is not an approved Health Canada Product for effective disinfection (DIN) of mouth pieces.

When using a school -owned musical instrument, each user must understand that regular cleaning of these musical instruments is required when practicing proper hygiene. The student must initial and date the following statement upon checkout of the institutionally owned wind instrument:

Before using the above-mentioned instrument for the first time, I understand and agree that I am responsible for cleaning the instrument. I agree to use of disinfectant wipes to thoroughly clean both the outside and the inside of the mouthpiece (i.e., flute head joint and blow hole, clarinet and saxophone hard rubber/plastic mouthpiece, bassoon bocal, and brass mouthpiece). I further agree to maintain the cleaning, by means of cleaning rods, swabs, mouthpiece brushes, etc., to the extent necessary to prevent buildup of residue within the instrument.

Similarly, the student must initial and date the following statement upon return of the institutionally owned wind instrument:

Upon returning the above-mentioned musical instrument, I acknowledge that, after my final usage of this instrument, I have used alcohol wipes and/or alcohol treated swabs to thoroughly clean the outside and the inside of the mouthpiece (i.e., flute head joint and blow hole, clarinet and saxophone hard rubber/plastic mouthpiece, bassoon bocal, and brass mouthpiece).

Mouthpieces

The mouthpiece (flute head-joint), English Horn and bassoon bocal, and saxophone neck crook) are essential parts of wind instruments. As the only parts of these instruments placed either in or close to the musician's mouth, research has concluded that these parts (and reeds) harbor the greatest quantities of bacteria.

Adhering to the following procedures will ensure that these instrumental parts will remain antiseptically clean for the healthy and safe use of our students and faculty.

Cleaning the Flute Head-Joint

1. Using a cotton swab saturated with isopropyl alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide carefully clean around the embouchure hole.

2. Saber wipes can be used on the flute's lip plate to kill germs if the flute shared by several players.

3. Using a soft, lint-free silk cloth inserted into the cleaning rod, clean the inside of the head-joint.

4. Do not run the head-joint under water as it may saturate and eventually shrink the head-joint cork.

Cleaning Bocals

1. Bocals should be cleaned every month with a bocal brush, mild soap solution, and running water or immersed in a Neutral Disinfectant, Vinegar or Peroxide solution

2. English Horn bocals can be cleaned with a pipe cleaner, mild soap solution, and running water. Be careful not to scratch the inside of the bocal with the exposed wire ends of the pipe cleaner.

Cleaning Hard Rubber (Ebony) Mouthpieces

1. Mouthpieces should be swabbed after each playing and cleaned weekly.

2. Select a small (to use less liquid) container that will accommodate the mouthpiece and place the mouthpiece tip down in the container.

3. Fill the container to where the ligature would begin with a solution of half water and half white vinegar (50% water and 50% hydrogen peroxide works too). Protect clarinet mouthpiece corked tenons from moisture.

4. After a short time, use an appropriately sized mouthpiece brush to remove any calcium deposits or other residue from inside and outside surfaces. This step may need to be repeated if the mouthpiece is excessively dirty.

5. Rinse the mouthpiece thoroughly and then saturate with Neutral Disinfectant solution. Place on paper towel and wait one minute.

6. Wipe dry with paper towel.

7. Note: Metal saxophone mouthpieces clean up well with hot water, mild dish soap (not dishwasher detergent), and a mouthpiece brush. Neutral Disinfectant solution is also safe for metal mouthpieces.

Cleaning Saxophone Necks (Crooks)

1. Swabs should be available to clean the inside of the saxophone neck. However, most saxophonists use a flexible bottlebrush and toothbrush to accomplish the same results.

2. If the instrument is played daily, the saxophone neck should be cleaned weekly (and swabbed out each day after playing).

3. Use the bottlebrush and mild, soapy water to clean the inside of the neck.

4. Rinse under running water.

5. Neutral Disinfectant solution may be used on the inside of the neck at this time, if desired (not necessary). Place on paper towel for one minute.

6. Rinse again under running water, dry, and place in the case.

Cleaning Brass Mouthpieces

1. Mouthpieces should be cleaned monthly.

2. Using a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water, clean the outside of the mouthpiece.

3. Use a mouthpiece brush and warm, soapy water to clean the inside.

4. Rinse the mouthpiece and dry thoroughly.

5. Neutral Disinfectant solution may be used on the mouthpiece at this time. Place on paper towel for one minute.

6. Wipe dry with paper towel.

7. Other Instruments

8. String, percussion, and keyboard instruments present few hygienic issues that cannot be solved simply by the musician washing their hands before and after use.

For additional information see the Ontario Music Educators Framework for Return to Music Classes