Instrument Maintenance Suggestions
Brass Instrument Supply List
Brass Instrument Supply List
- Care Kit, including:
- Tuning slide grease
- Snakes
- Mouthpiece brushes
- Valve casing brushes
- Polishing cloths – silver and lacquer
- Valve oil – 2 weights (please note that rotary valves require special oil and care)
- Trombone Hand slide lubricant
- Trombone cleaning rod
- Trumpet leadpipe brush
- Microfiber cloths
- Mouthpiece disinfectant
- Assorted peel and stick water key “corks”
Optional: Mouthpiece puller
Woodwinds Supply List
Woodwinds Supply List
- Care Kit, including:
- Polishing cloth (polishing metal keys)
- Cork grease
- Bore oil, separate swab (wooden instruments)
- Pipe cleaners (cleaning around posts & keys)
- Cotton swabs (cleaning inside holes)
- Soft brush (removing case fuzz and dust)
- Microfiber cloths (removing finger oils)
- Mouthpiece brush (or old child’s toothbrush)
- Pad & Cork cement
- Small screwdrivers (for screws parallel to body)
- Spring setter (when springs get bumped off)
Optional:
- Bassoon bocal snake
- Bari Sax neck swab
Daily Maintenance
Daily Maintenance
Brass
Brass
- Empty water
- Wipe mouthpiece
Woodwinds
- Swab
- Wipe moisture from reeds and store flat
Percussion
Percussion
- Store all mallets and accessory instruments carefully
- Put music away
Weekly Maintenance
Weekly Maintenance
Brass
Brass
- Clean mouthpiece with mouthpiece cleaning brush
- Wipe old oil from valves and apply new oil
- Pull all slides and twist all caps to keep moving parts moving
Woodwinds
Woodwinds
- Clean mouthpiece with mouthpiece cleaning brush or old toothbrush
- Apply cork grease as needed
- Wipe instrument with soft, dry cloth to remove finger oils, etc.
Percussion
Percussion
- Check all equipment for loose screws and missing parts: report to the director
- Cover all large instruments
- If instruments are in a sunny spot, cover when not in use
Monthly Maintenance
Monthly Maintenance
Brass
Brass
- Pull all slides; wipe off old lubricant
- Trombones – swab inner and outer hand slide and clean the leadpipe
- Wipe off fingerprints with soft, dry (or polishing) cloth
- Vacuum inside of the case. Occasionally let case sit open in sunlight. Use Febreeze (or similar) to remove smells, then allow to dry thoroughly
Woodwinds
Woodwinds
- Check for ‘finger cheese’ in holes; remove with a cotton swab or wooden toothpick
- Use a small, soft brush or folded pipe cleaner to remove dust and lint from around keys and springs
- Vacuum inside of the case. Occasionally let case sit open in sunlight. Use Febreeze (or similar) to remove smells, then allow to dry thoroughly
Percussion
Percussion
- Check mallets and trim fuzzies
- Wipe timpani heads
- Dust horizontal surfaces (snare heads, top of bass drum, chimes, cymbals, etc.)
Annual Maintenance
Annual Maintenance
Brass
Brass
- Snake out all slides and rinse
Woodwinds
Woodwinds
- Have woodwinds checked annually (or biannually) by a repair technician who can adjust key tensions and replace pads as needed