For Student Musicians...
Select
an instrument for more information
on its care, history and many reference
links!
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For Flute Players
After playing each day, wipe the entire
length of the flute with a clean polishing
cloth. Be careful not to scratch the keysor
tear the pads. Remove the head joint. Insert
a clean cloth or handkerchief into the slot
at the tip of the cleaning rod. Draw the
cloth and cleaning rod through the flute
to remove any moisture from the pads. Place
the flute back in the case, laying the cloth
flat over the body of the flute to allow
it to dry. About once a month, apply one
drop of key oil to all rod endings (you
will see a tiny line at the end of each
rod), being careful not to get any oil on
the pads, as it will damage them. About
once a year, the flute may need to be polished.
Silver polish will work nicely; just be
careful not to use too much polish, as it
is extremely difficult to get out of tight
spaces. Also be careful not to get any polish
on the pads, as it will damage them. If
you do notice any damage to the pads, have
a professional repair technician replace
them immediately.
For Bassoon and Oboe Players
After playing each day, wipe the entire
length of the oboe with a clean, dry cloth.
Be careful not to scratch the keys or tear
the pads. Draw the swap through the oboe
from TOP to BOTTOM. This is important--this
will prevent you from catching the swab
on the post on the interior of the oboe
body. If the swab does get stuck--STOP!
Do NOT keep pulling. Take your oboe immediately
to a repair technician. If the swap is wedged
too tightly, the technician will need to
cut apart your swab to remove it from your
oboe. About once a month, apply one drop
of key oil to all rod endings (you will
see a tiny line at the end of each rod),
being careful not to get any oil on the
pads, as it will damage them. Do not try
to polish the oboe. If the keys need polishing,
take your oboe to a repair shop. If you
notice any torn or worn pads, take your
oboe to the shop immediately.
For Clarinet Players
After playing each day, wipe the entire
length of the clarinet with a clean, dry
cloth. Be careful not to scratch the keys
or tear the pads. Remove the reed and dry
it with a clean cloth. Place the reed in
a reed case. Draw the swab through the mouthpiece
to absorb the moisture. Put the mouthpiece
cap on the mouthpiece and place it in the
case. Draw the swab through the bell of
the clarinet and out the barrel of the clarinet
to remove the moisture. The tenon joints
tend to collect the most moisture, which
could severely damage wood clarinets. Be
sure to dry these areas completely. About
once a month, apply one drop of key oil
to all rod endings (you will see a tiny
line at the end of each rod), being careful
not to get any oil on the pads, as it will
damage them. Do not try to polish the clarinet.
If the keys need polishing, take your clarinet
to a repair shop. If you notice any torn
or worn pads, take your clarinet to the
shop immediately.
For Sax Players
After playing each day, wipe the entire
length of the clarinet with a clean, dry
cloth. Be careful not to scratch the keys
or tear the pads. Remove the reed and
dry it with a clean cloth. Place the reed
in a reed case. Draw the swab through
the mouthpiece to absorb the moisture.
Put the mouthpiece cap on the mouthpiece
and place it in the case. Draw the swab
through the bell of the clarinet and out
the barrel of the clarinet to remove the
moisture. The tenon joints tend to collect the
most moisture, which could severely damage
wood clarinets. Be sure to dry these areas
completely. About once a month, apply
one drop of key oil to all rod endings
(you will see a tiny line at the end of
each rod), being careful not to get any
oil on the pads, as it will damage them.
Do not try to polish the clarinet. If
the keys need polishing, take your clarinet
to a repair shop. If you notice any torn
or worn pads, take your clarinet to the
shop immediately.
For Trumpet Players
After playing each day, wipe the instrument
with a clean polishing cloth. Note: Never
use a silver polishing cloth on a lacquer
(gold) instrument. Conversely, never use
a lacquer polishing cloth on a silver instrument.
Oil the keys or valves about twice a week
(maybe more if needed). Be sure to only
remove one valve at a time so the valves
do not get switched. After replacing each
valve, blow air through the instrument to
make sure the valve is facing the right
direction. If the instrument seems difficult
to blow freely, turn the valve around 180
degrees. Grease all tuning slides about
once a month. If the grease becomes sticky,
it is dirty, and needs to be removed with
a towel and replaced with new, clean grease.
When greasing the tuning slides, use a non
water-based grease. Water-based greases
(like petroleum jelly) will evaporate after
a few days.
About once a year, the instrument should
be given a bath. The water should be lukewarm.
If the water is too hot, it will remove
the lacquer from the instrument and destroy
the shiny finish. After removing all valves
and slides, run a "snake" through
all portions of your instrument. "Snakes" are
long brushes that you feed through the
tubing of your instrument. Dry the instrument
with a soft towel, being careful not to
scratch the surface. Do not try to polish
your instrument--the wrong kind of polish
can ruin the finish of your instrument.
One successful alternative is to spray
Original Lemon Pledge on your instrument,
then wipe it dry. Pledge will remove fingerprints
and dust that collect on your instrument.
For French Horn Players
After playing each day, wipe the instrument
with a clean polishing cloth. Note: Never
use a silver polishing cloth on a lacquer
(gold) instrument. Conversely, never use
a lacquer polishing cloth on a silver instrument.
Oil the keys or valves about twice a week
(maybe more if needed). Be sure to only
remove one valve at a time so the valves
do not get switched. After replacing each
valve, blow air through the instrument to
make sure the valve is facing the right
direction. If the instrument seems difficult
to blow freely, turn the valve around 180
degrees. Grease all tuning slides about
once a month. If the grease becomes sticky,
it is dirty, and needs to be removed with
a towel and replaced with new, clean grease.
When greasing the tuning slides, use a non
water-based grease. Water-based greases
(like petroleum jelly) will evaporate after
a few days.
About once a year, the instrument should
be given a bath. The water should be lukewarm.
If the water is too hot, it will remove
the lacquer from the instrument and destroy
the shiny finish. After removing all valves
and slides, run a "snake" through
all portions of your instrument. "Snakes" are
long brushes that you feed through the
tubing of your instrument. Dry the instrument
with a soft towel, being careful not to
scratch the surface. Do not try to polish
your instrument--the wrong kind of polish
can ruin the finish of your instrument.
One successful alternative is to spray
Original Lemon Pledge on your instrument,
then wipe it dry. Pledge will remove fingerprints
and dust that collect on your instrument.
For Trombone Players
For general instrument care, observe the
directions listed for Trumpet. etc.,. The
only difference is the care to the main
slide of the trombone. There are many lubricating
systems for trombone slides. Basically,
the slide should drop freely to the floor
if the slide lock is released...if this
is not the case, then the trombone needs
either dent work or more (or better) lubrication.
The system most beginners use is to simply
use oil (clear) or liquid cream (white).
More advanced players may use a synthetic
oil or a combination of cold cream and water.
Never mix systems. If you change systems,
be sure to remove the first system entirely,
which usually means giving your trombone
a bath. Whenever you remove the outer slide
from the inner slide, be very careful not
to drop or hit the slide on anything, as
even the slightest dent will render the
slide inoperable.
For Tuba Players
After playing each day, wipe the instrument
with a clean polishing cloth. Note: Never
use a silver polishing cloth on a lacquer
(gold) instrument. Conversely, never use
a lacquer polishing cloth on a silver instrument.
Oil the keys or valves about twice a week
(maybe more if needed). Be sure to only
remove one valve at a time so the valves
do not get switched. After replacing each
valve, blow air through the instrument to
make sure the valve is facing the right
direction. If the instrument seems difficult
to blow freely, turn the valve around 180
degrees. Grease all tuning slides about
once a month. If the grease becomes sticky,
it is dirty, and needs to be removed with
a towel and replaced with new, clean grease.
When greasing the tuning slides, use a non
water-based grease. Water-based greases
(like petroleum jelly) will evaporate after
a few days.
About once a year, the instrument should
be given a bath. The water should be lukewarm.
If the water is too hot, it will remove
the lacquer from the instrument and destroy
the shiny finish. After removing all valves
and slides, run a "snake" through
all portions of your instrument. "Snakes" are
long brushes that you feed through the
tubing of your instrument. Dry the instrument
with a soft towel, being careful not to
scratch the surface. Do not try to polish
your instrument--the wrong kind of polish
can ruin the finish of your instrument.
One successful alternative is to spray
Original Lemon Pledge on your instrument,
then wipe it dry. Pledge will remove fingerprints
and dust that collect on your instrument.
For Percussion Players
- Drumbum
- History of Percussion
- Percussion Instrument Care:
- Snare Drum
- IF YOUR SNARE DOES NOT SOUND CRISP
- If the snares continue to "buzz" after
the initial stroke, then the snares
are not pulled tightly against
the drum head. The first step
is to tighten the tension screw
on the side of the snare drum.
If the screw will not pull the
snares any tighter, then you should
completely loosen the snares and
pull the slack snare cords through
the strainer plate more firmly.
Tighten the strainer plate, then
adjust the tension screw. If
the snare still has an extra buzz,
then you need to "bridge" the
snare cords. This is done
by inserting a toothpick,
match, or nail under the outside
snare cords, but over the
middle cords
- CHANGING A DRUM HEAD
- If the top (batter) or bottom
(snare) head tears, rips,
or breaks, it needs to be
replaced. Remove the hoop
by loosening the hoop screws.
Replace the head and the hoop.
Hand tighten all hoop screws
until they are firm. Use your
drum key to continue to tighten
the hoop screws, two revolutions
at a time. After tightening
the first screw, move across
the drum head to the opposite
screw, like changing a tire.
Continue moving across the
drumhead until all screws
are tightened at the same
tension. The head will stretch
from the counter hoop as you
tighten it. Tighten again
after a few days to allow
the head to "settle”
- Mallets -- General Information
- Never use the instrument as
a trap table
- Always leave the instrument
covered
- Always use the right mallets
- When
moving it, always lift it over cracks,
bumps, and thresholds
- Clean with metal polish
- Replace
worn felts, rubber spacers, and
the suspension cord as necessary
- Replace
any screws that become loose or
are bent
- Marimba, Xylophones
- Polish bars with a furniture
polish with no wax
Dust the resonators and frame
Vacuum the resonators
Check the pitch of the resonators
with the pitch of the bar. The
resonator caps can be adjusted
if the two pitches do not match.
Consult a professional to adjust
the resonator caps.
Replace the spacers and suspension
cord and replace as necessary.
Never use plastic-acrylic mallets
on a rosewood xylophone or marimba.
Use polyethylene or rosewood mallets
to prevent damaging the bars.
- Cymbals Link
to paragraph below
- Use a commercial cymbal cleaning
polish-do not use an abrasive
cleaning polish. Wipe
the polish on and off following
the grooves of the cymbal.
- If the
cymbal cracks, drill a hold at
the end of the crack and file
the edges to prevent extra vibrations
For Violin/Viola Players
For Cello Players
For Bass Players
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