Instrument Care and Repair

Guidelines for Instrument Care

Opening the case

Many instruments have been damaged because the case was opened upside-down or in a rushed haphazard manner. Students should place the instrument on the ground in a safe space to open it. For clarinets, this might be on the floor right in front of their feet.

Carrying the instrument in the case

Often students assume that the case will protect their instrument from everything including being knocked on a wall or dropped. Students should take care of the case as well as the instrument. If the hinges or latches are broken, it’s not a question of if it will open at an unfortunate moment and the instrument will fall out, but when.

Everything in its place

Students should be careful to keep things in the correct place in the case. Mouthpieces should be placed in the specified area and not be rolling around in the case. Method books and music folders should not be shoved in the case with the instrument. At the end of each playing session, ensure that instruments and accessories are put away correctly. The case is made to hold the instrument in one way and one way only.

Organizing the room

Give yourself plenty of room to unload and reload the instrument. Keep in mind that larger instruments require some space for the case.

In your hand or in the case

Students should never put instruments precariously on chairs or set them down hard on the floor. Preferably students would never set them on the floor or chair at all, but always hold them or lay them in a case.

Carrying the instrument out of the case

Be careful how students carry instruments. Students should never hold it with one hand and swing it while walking. The piece of the instrument being held can detach from the instrument. If students carry the clarinet by the barrel or the flute by the headjoint, the rest of the instrument may fall to the floor and break.

Learn instrument maintenance well in beginning band and review it each year.

Students should review the steps of greasing slides, oiling valves, swabbing etc. Trombones should check out this video – great step-by-step instruction on slide care and the process of oiling slides. (You might have to scroll down to find the specific video) Here’s a PDF version of the directions.

No eating

Students should not eat/drink/chew gum before or while playing. It’s a great idea to rinse your mouth before playing your instrument – at school and at home.

Careful assembly

Students should assemble instruments carefully. On woodwind instruments especially be gentle and not get keys out of adjustment. Each instrument has its own ‘danger zones’ when it comes to assembly – know what to be careful of.

No parent mechanics!

If there is ever an issue with the instrument parents should not try to fix it.

There is no telling what damage might be done. It’s much more likely that a parent would cause a bigger problem that costs much more to fix than any chance they might save a few bucks.

“It’s just a little ding” is NOT ok.

Small dings on the instrument are not ok, especially if instruments already have some damage, one more can put it out of work. These instruments must last many years and will allow many students to become musicians. They must be treated with care. If a student dings it – even accidentally – they should take responsibility to get it repaired ASAP.

Adapted from bandirectorstalkshop.com