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Read on to see the materials and practices needed for maintaining your instrument.
Supplies can be purchased at music stores, online, or ordered for you by your Band Director.
All photos are clickable links to amazon product pages. These specific products are not required or guaranteed as quality by the band director. They are provided as an example, or for convenience when searching to purchase on your own.
Clarinet & Saxophone
Clarinet & Saxophone
Reeds
Always have at least 2 working reeds. I always buy a new box of 10 when I have several left.Reeds
Clarinets and Saxophones require working reeds to play.
Reeds are very delicate, and can break often as students get used to working with them. Eventually, reeds can be used for several weeks or more before wearing out and needing to be replaced.
I strongly recommend Rico brand, as they have proven their quality and value over several decades.
The thickness (or strength) of the reed is often labeled with a number. I would recommend a Rico 2.5 for beginners
Reeds can easily be purchased online, in many local music stores, or from the band director in small quantities when necessary.
All clarinet and saxophone players should have more than 1 reed at all times in case they break.
Reeds must always be removed from the instrument and carefully replaced in a plastic reed case when not in use to extend the life of the reed.
Clarinet Reeds on Amazon
Alto Saxophone Reeds on Amazon
Tenor Saxophone Reeds on Amazon
Using a Swab
How Often? After each time the instrument is played.Using a Swab
Clarinets and saxophones must be cleaned on the inside with a swab after each time the instrument is played, whenever possible. To use a swab, drop the weighted end of the swab into one end and pull it through to wipe the inside clean. This keeps the pads from becoming dirty, moldy, stuck closed, or leaky, and makes the greatest impact on the lifespan of the instrument. Replacing worn pads can be costly, and swabbing the instrument is the best way to prevent it. The mouthpiece should also be swabbed regularly to help airflow, and keep them clean and hygienic.
Clarinet Swab
Clarinet Swab
Alto Sax Swab
Alto Sax Swab
Using Cork Grease
How Often? Every month or so, or when the cork starts to feel try or it is difficult to assemble the instrument.Using Cork Grease
Clarinets and Saxophones use corks to create an air-tight seal between parts of the instrument. These must be greased with cork grease about once per month to keep the cork from drying out, and to help the instrument come together easily and without breaking the cork.
Checking For Loose Screws
Make this a frequent habit for when you're spacing out in rehearsal, or your instrument doesn't feel or sound right to you.Checking For Loose Screws
You should visually inspect your instrument for loose springs and screws on a regular basis. This can sometimes prevent losing small screws that are not always easily replaced. Just remember that some screws can be too tight, and others are only used to make special adjustments. For main screws, however, a small screwdriver can take care of many minor emergencies.
Full Maintenance Overhaul
How often? After several years, but leave this to the professionals please.Full Maintenance Overhaul
It is recommended that flutes, clarinets, and saxophones visit a good instrument repair shop at some points to be fully cleaned. This requires a lot of skill and know-how as it involves the instrument being fully disassembled, cleaning and oiling all the keys cleaned and rods, checking and possibly replacing pads, felts, and corks, and reassembling the instrument. It should be done by a good instrument repair technician, and can be somewhat costly.
If the instrument is well maintained on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, this will only be necessary after years of use. It may be necessary after purchasing a used instrument, or when using an instrument that hasn't been played or maintained in years. It may also be necessary for instruments that have gotten dirty or rained on.
Flute
Flute
Wiping Down and Using a Cleaning Rod
How Often? After each time the instrument is played.Wiping Down and Using a Cleaning Rod
Start by wiping down the joints with a cleaning cloth. Then thread the cleaning cloth through the hole in the end of the cleaning rod and push it through each section of the flute.
Flutes should be clean on the inside with a cloth using the cleaning rod each time the instrument is played, when possible. This keeps the pads from becoming dirty, moldy, stuck closed, or leaky, and makes the greatest impact on the lifespan of the instrument. Replacing worn pads can be costly, and cleaning the inside of the flute is the best way to prevent it.
Flute Swabs and Cleaning Rod
Checking For Loose Screws
Make this a frequent habit for when you're spacing out in rehearsal, or your instrument doesn't feel or sound right to you.Checking For Loose Screws
You should visually inspect your instrument for loose springs and screws on a regular basis. This can sometimes prevent losing small screws that are not always easily replaced. Just remember that some screws can be too tight, and others are only used to make special adjustments. For main screws, however, a small screwdriver can take care of many minor emergencies.
Trumpet, Euphonium, & Tuba
Trumpet, Euphonium, & Tuba
Using Valve Oil
How often? About once per week, or whenever the valves are moving slowly or no longer feel smooth while playing.Using Valve Oil
Trumpet and Euphonium valves must be oiled regularly to maintain smooth, fast motion, and to minimize wear on the valves to lengthen the life of the instrument. Make sure to use oil specifically designed and labeled for use on brass instrument valves.
To oil, carefully remove the valve partway from the valve casing, and apply several drops of oil around the top of the valve itself. Be very careful not to touch the valve on anything, as they can easily collect dust, and debris that will scratch the valve when it is used. Making sure to line up the valve with the number facing the mouthpiece, and the valve guide aligned with it's notch, lower the valve back into the casing and screw it closed. Play the instrument to make sure it is properly aligned and that the valve feels smooth again.
The valves can be oiled through the hole in the valve cap in the bottom, but this dirty the valves over time, and is only recommended when in a hurry, or when removing the valves is problematic.
Popular Valve Oil
High Quality Valve Oil
Cleaning and Greasing the Slides
How often? Every few months, or when the slide feels slow, difficult to move, or appears dirty and dry.Cleaning and Greasing the Slides
Tuning slides are important to adjusting the instrument to play in tune with the band or the computer. It is necessary to regularly clean and grease all tuning slides to keep them from freezing in place, which will may require the instrument to be sent out to have the slide freed. Do not attempt to remove a stuck slide (or mouthpiece) using household tools as this usually damages the instrument. Your band director will know the safest way to remove the stuck slide or mouthpiece.
To clean and grease a tuning slide, first remove the slide and clean it with a clean cloth, or sturdy paper towel that will not leave paper fibers behind. You can use water if necessary. Using your finger (or directly from the bottle), apply tuning slide grease to the end of the slide, and reinsert it into the instrument. Move the slide in and out, and rotate if necessary to spread the slide grease evenly until the slide moves smoothly.
Common Slide Grease
Cleaning the Mouthpiece
How often? About once per month, or whenever the inside of the mouthpiece looks dirty.Cleaning the Mouthpiece
To clean the mouthpiece, rinse under water and scrub the inside from both ends with a mouthpiece brush. This will help the mouthpiece's airflow, keep the instrument clean, and keep the mouthpiece hygienic.
Rinsing/Snaking the Inside of the Trumpet
How often? Every year to 2 years, as long as you're comfortable doing it. (Please leave the cleaning of the Euphonium to your band director.)Rinsing/Snaking the Inside of the Trumpet
It is possible to clean the inside of the trumpet, as most intermediate players do roughly once a year. It requires great care, some quiet time, and a trumpet snake, which can be purchased online, in some music stores, and often comes with care and maintenance kits. If you do not feel comfortable doing so, it is better to learn more before attempting, or having your trumpet professionally cleaned at a music store. Please ask your band director for instructions on cleaning the inside of the trumpet before attempting, and feel free to do a review of recommendations on the internet.
Trumpet Snake and Mouthpiece Brush
Trombones
Trombones
Cleaning and Oiling the Playing Slide
How often? Apply slide treatment to the playing slide about once per week, or whenever the playing slide motion does not feel smooth, effortless, and fast.Clean and reapply treatment to the slide roughly every couple months, or when oiling does not seem to work well enough.Cleaning and Oiling the Playing Slide
A well oiled playing slide makes playing trombone easier, more accurate, and much more enjoyable. There are a variety of slide oils and slide treatments that require different processes. The easiest are all-in-one slide treatments, like "Slide-O-Mix" or basic trombone slide oils.
To apply the slide treatment, remove the playing slide, being careful not to touch the exposed tines on anything, as they can easily collect dust (or dents). Apply the slide oil or treatment to the ends of the tines (it doesn't take much), and carefully replace the playing slide. Move the slide back and forth to spread the slide treatment and add more if necessary.
Every few months, or if oiling the slide doesn't restore the smooth, effortless motion, you may need to clean the playing slide. Carefully remove the slide, wipe the tines with a clean cloth or paper towel (something that will not leave any fibers behind), and apply slide treatment.
If your trombone slide does not move smoothly and effortlessly after being cleaned and oiled, it may be damaged, and you should ask your director to inspect it to see if it should be repaired.
Popular Trombone Playing Slide Treatment
Cleaning and Greasing Tuning Slides
How often? Every few months, or when the tuning slide feels slow, difficult to move, or appears dirty and dry.Cleaning and Greasing Tuning Slides
The tuning slide is important to adjusting the instrument to play in tune with the band or the computer. It is necessary to regularly clean and grease the tuning slide to keep it from freezing in place, which will may require the instrument to be sent out to have the slide freed. Do not attempt to remove a stuck slide (or mouthpiece) using household tools as this usually damages the instrument. Your band director will know the safest way to remove the stuck slide or mouthpiece.
To clean and grease the tuning slide, first remove the slide and clean it with a clean cloth or sturdy paper towel that will not leave paper fibers behind. You can use water if necessary. Using your finger (or directly from the bottle), apply tuning slide grease to the end of the tuning slide, and reinsert it into the instrument. Move the slide in and out, and rotate if necessary to spread the slide grease evenly until the slide moves smoothly.
Common Slide Grease
Cleaning the Mouthpiece
How often? About once per month, or whenever the inside of the mouthpiece looks dirty.Cleaning the Mouthpiece
To clean the mouthpiece, rinse under water and scrub the inside from both ends with a mouthpiece brush. This will help the mouthpiece's airflow, keep the instrument clean, and keep the mouthpiece hygienic.
Rinsing/Snaking the Inside of the Trombone
How often? Every year to 2 years, as long as you're comfortable doing it.Rinsing/Snaking the Inside of the Trombone
It is possible to clean the inside of the trumpet, as most intermediate players do roughly once a year. It requires great care, some quiet time, and a trombone snake, which can be purchased online, in some music stores, and often comes with care and maintenance kits. If you do not feel comfortable doing so, it is better to learn more before attempting, or having your trumpet professionally cleaned at a music store. Please ask your band director for instructions on cleaning the inside of the trumpet before attempting, and feel free to do a review of recommendations on the internet.
Trombone Cleaning Kit
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