ALTO SAXOPHONE
Before putting your instrument back in its case after playing, do the following:
1. Remove the reed, wipe off excess moisture.
2. Remove the mouthpiece and wipe the inside with a clean cloth.
3. Place reed in reed case.
4. Remove the neck and shake out excess moisture.
5. Drop the weight of the swab in the bell. Pull the swab through the body several times. Return the instrument to its case.
6. Your case is designed to hold only specific objects. If you try to force anything else into the case, it may damage your instrument.
BARITONE HORN
Before putting your instrument back in its case after playing, do the following:
1. Use the water key to empty water from the instrument. Blow air through it.
2. Remove the mouthpiece. Once a week, wash the mouthpiece with warm tap water. Dry thoroughly.
3. Wipe off the instrument with a clean soft cloth.
Baritone valves occasionally need oiling. To oil your valves:
1. Unscrew the valve at the top of the valve casing.
2. Lift the valve halfway out of the casing.
3. Apply a few drops of special brass valve oil to the exposed valve.
4. Carefully return the valve to its casing. When properly inserted, the top of the valve should easily screw back into place.
Be sure to grease the slides regularly. Your teacher will recommend special slide grease and valve oil, and will help you apply them when necessary.
CAUTION: If a slide, a valve, or your mouthpiece becomes stuck, ask for help from your band director or music dealer. Special tools should be used to prevent damage to your instrument.
***Your teacher will give you a handout on how to clean your baritone horn.
CELLO
1. Never touch the bow hair, or the wooden part of the instrument with your hands.
2. Protect your instrument from extreme heat, cold, and quick temperature changes.
3. Wipe any rosin off your instrument with a soft cloth.
4. Loosen the bow hair after every use. Tighten it the same amount every time before playing.
5. Keep your instrument away from those who do not know how to properly care for it.
6. Do not attempt to repair your instrument. Tell your teacher or qualified music dealer if something needs to be fixed.
CLARINET
Before putting your instrument back in its case after playing, do the following:
1. Remove the reed and wipe off excess moisture.
2. Remove the mouthpiece and wipe the inside with a clean cloth. Place the reed in your reed case.
3. Hold the upper section with your left hand and the lower section with your right hand. Gently twist the sections apart, pressing the ring that lifts the bridge key.
4. Drop the weighted chamois or cotton swab into each section and pull it out the bottom.
5. Carefully twist the barrel and bell from each section. Dry off any additional moisture.
6. As you put each piece back in the case, check to be sure they are dry.
7. Your case is designed to hold only specific objects. If you try to force anything else into the case, it may damage your instrument.
DOUBLE BASS
1. Never touch the bow hair, or the wooden part of the instrument with your hands.
2. Protect your instrument from extreme heat, cold, and quick temperature changes.
3. Wipe any rosin off your instrument with a soft cloth.
4. Loosen the bow hair after every use. Tighten it the same amount every time before playing.
5. Keep your instrument away from those who do not know how to properly care for it.
6. Do not attempt to repair your instrument. Tell your teacher or qualified music dealer if something needs to be fixed.
FLUTE
Before putting your instrument back in its case after playing, do the following:
1. Draw a cleaning cloth and rod through the middle and foot joints, and into the head joint.
2. Carefully wipe the outside of each section to keep the finish clean. Don't try to polish between the keys. Let a repair specialist do this for you when needed.
FRENCH HORN
Before putting your instrument back in its case after playing, do the following:
1. Remove water by removing the main tuning slide and inverting the instrument.
2. Wipe the instrument off with a clean soft cloth. Return the instrument to its case.
3. Remove the mouthpiece. Once a week, wash the mouthpiece with warm tap water. Dry thoroughly.
PERCUSSION
1. Cover all percussion instruments when they are not being used.
2. Put mallets away in a storage area. Keep the percussion section neat!
3. Mallets are the only things that should be placed on your instrument. NEVER put or allow others to put objects on any percussion instrument.
TROMBONE
Before putting your instrument back in its case after playing, do the following:
1. Use the water key to empty water from the instrument. Blow air through it.
2. Remove the mouthpiece and slide assembly. Do not take the outer slide off the inner slide piece. Return the instrument to its case.
3. Once a week, wash the mouthpiece with warm tap water. Dry thoroughly.
Trombone slides occasionally need oiling. To oil your slide, simply:
1. Rest the tip of the slide on the floor and unlock the slide.
2. Exposing the inner slide, put a few drops of oil or slide cream on the inner slide. Spray water over the oil or cream.
3. Rapidly move the slide back and forth. The oil or cream will then lubricate the slide.
4. Be sure to grease the tuning slide regularly. Your teacher will recommend special slide oil or cream and grease, and will help you apply them when necessary.
CAUTION: If a slide or your mouthpiece becomes stuck, ask for help from your band teacher or music dealer. Special tools should be used to prevent damage to your instrument.
***Your teacher will give you a handout on how to clean out your trombone.
TRUMPET
Before putting your instrument back in its case after playing, do the following:
1. Use the water key to empty water from the instrument. Blow air through it.
2. Remove the mouthpiece. Once a week, wash the mouthpiece with warm tap water. Dry thoroughly.
3. Wipe off the instrument with a clean soft cloth.
Trumpet valves occasionally need oiling. To oil your valves:
1. Unscrew the valve at the top of the valve casing.
2. Lift the valve halfway out of the casing.
3. Apply a few drops of special brass valve oil to the exposed valve.
4. Carefully return the valve to its casing. When properly inserted, the top of the valve should easily screw back into place.
Be sure to grease the slides regularly. Your teacher will recommend special slide grease and valve oil, and will help you apply them when necessary.
CAUTION: If a slide, a valve, or your mouthpiece becomes stuck, ask for help from your band teacher or music dealer. Special tools should be used to prevent damage to your instrument.
***Your teacher will give you a handout on how to clean your trumpet.
VIOLIN & VIOLA
1. Never touch the bow hair, or the wooden part of the instrument with your hands.
2. Protect your instrument from extreme heat, cold, and quick temperature changes.
3. Wipe any rosin off your instrument with a soft cloth.
4. Place a cloth over your violin or viola before closing your case. Be sure to latch the case.
5. Loosen the bow hair after every use. Tighten it the same amount every time before playing.
6. Keep your instrument away from those who do not know how to properly care for it.
7. Do not attempt to repair your instrument. Tell your teacher or qualified music dealer if something needs to be fixed.
from Essential Elements 2000 by O'Reilly and Williams, published by Hal Leonard Corp.