The following links are here to help you, the student musician, when practicing on your own at home. Or, when you just want to find out more information about your instrument. Your instrument is an expensive and delicate piece of equipment. It is important to take proper care of your instrument so that it will always be in top playing condition. With a little bit of TLC you can count on years of musical enjoyment from your instrument.

General Instrument Tips

• Make sure your case is latched securely and carry your case facing in just in case the latches come unlatched.

• Do not carry extra items in your case...music books, coins, very thick cleaning cloths, etc. can cause damage over time.

• Never drop an instrument, even when in the case.

• Brush your teeth before playing a woodwind or brass instrument. Don't drink sugary snacks or eat food while playing. If you do, some will end up in your instrument and can cause lots of damage as well as make your instrument smell bad!

• Too much heat or too much cold can cause serious damage to your instrument. Rain can cause all sorts of problems so never let your instrument get wet.

• These procedures, if followed regularly and carefully, can help an instrument work well and stay out of the repair shop. If at any time your horn needs repair, first talk to a band director and then AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, put your instrument on the repair list located by the Band Director's office.

Brass Care Tips

• Trumpets and Trombones should be thoroughly cleaned once every other month.

  • Do not give your instrument a bath until after your director has shown you how in class.

  • Trumpets - Watch this video for very detailed instructions.

  • Trumpets - Watch this video for brief instructions.

  • French Horns - Watch this video for detailed instructions.

  • Trombones - Watch this video for brief instructions.

  • Euphoniums - Watch this video for detailed instructions.

  • Tubas - Watch this video for detailed instructions.

• All mouthpieces should be cleaned every other Monday.

• If you are sick please clean your mouthpiece every day to help not re-infect yourself.

• Clean the outside of your brass instrument after playing with a soft cloth to remove fingerprints and watermarks.

Woodwind Care Tips

• Clean the outside of your woodwind instrument after playing with a soft cloth to remove fingerprints and watermarks. Do not give your woodwind instrument a bath!

  • It is OK to give the mouthpiece a bath if you are a clarinet or saxophone player... cool water and mild dish soap only. NEVER clean a woodwind mouthpiece in boiling water!

• Always dry the inside of your instrument with a thin silk swab. Your director will show you how to do this. It is important not to let your instrument sit overnight full of water!

• Take care of your reeds by using a reed guard or case. Always store reeds off the mouthpiece off the mouthpiece and remove the mouthpiece from your instrument at the end of the day. If you do not do these things, your reeds and your mouthpiece will mold.

• Keep at least 4 playable reeds and rotate your reeds by playing a different reed every day. It is OK to rinse reeds off in water once or twice per week, but don't leave them soaking for too long.

Brass Links

• Tips for Trumpets

• Tips for Horn

• Tips for Trombone

• Tips for Euphonium

• Tips for Tuba

• Online Metronome

Woodwind Links

• Tips for Flute

• Tips for Clarinet

• Tips for Saxophone

• Tips for Oboe

• Tips for Bassoon

• Online Metronome

Percussion Links

• Tips for Percussion

• Vic Firth Percussion

• Online Metronome

Private Lessons Instructors

• Flute

  • Barbara Harrington

• Oboe

• Bassoon

• Clarinet

  • Tabitha Robinson

• Saxophone (All)

  • Brian Raneses

• Trumpet

• F Horn

• Trombone

• Euphonium/Tuba

• Percussion