Instrument Maintenance
Proper Care and Feeding of your Instrument

Learning to take care of your instrument is as important as learning the notes and fingerings. Unfortunately, many students and their parents discover this the hard way and it is only after a valve has become stuck or pads have deteriorated that they learn the value of preventive maintenance. Luckily, the daily care of most instruments is simple and takes only a few minutes. Students generally receive instruction on instrument care from their music teachers. However, parents may need to remind beginners, especially during the long summer months when there may not be a teacher available to periodically check the instrument.

Generally, the best way to keep an instrument in good condition is to see that it is played regularly. Instruments, like cars, need to be used often in order to maintain performance standards. A student whose instrument only gathers dust all summer is likely to find stuck slides, dry valves, or molding pads when he or she arrives at lessons in the fall.

A few minutes of attention after each practice session are usually all that is required to keep an instrument in good working condition. The following are simple guidelines for basic preventative maintenance:

Woodwind players should remove excess moisture from the body of their instruments with a swab (or in the case of a flute, with a flute rod and handkerchief) and store it with a "Padsaver" to further guard against wetness. Mouthpieces can be periodically cleaned using lukewarm water, gentle soap, and a mouthpiece brush. Grease any corks when they are dry (using only cork grease!), and store the instrument away from extreme temperatures.

Brass players should clean their instruments 3-5 times a year using lukewarm  water, gentle soap, and a cleaning rod and/or snake. Be sure  the instrument is thoroughly dry before reassembling. When reassembling the instrument, generously oil the valves and grease the tuning slides. Any fingerprints or smudges can be removed with a soft cloth. Keep the valves and slides oiled and store away from extreme temperature.

String players should carefully wipe the instrument, strings, fingerboard, and bow with a soft cloth after each use to remove rosin dust and perspiration. Rosin Remover can eliminate heavy deposits of rosin and a fine instrument polish can help keep up the wood's lustre. Since summer often includes dramatic shifts in humidity, a "Dampit" is a good insurance against cracking. Always loosen the bow hair when not in use and store the instrument away from extreme temperatures.

Percussionists may clean their drums and/or keyboard percussion instruments with a soft cloth and a glass cleaner; cymbals should be cleaned using a cymbal cleaner. Drum heads with dents and digs should be replaced. Periodically check hardware for worn or stripped screws. Sticks should be balanced and in good condition; a chipped stick can damage a drum head.

While all instruments will eventually require some type of repair work, a small investment of the student's time after each practice session can avoid needless trips to the shop and prevent the loss of valuable lesson time. A variety of care kits and other maintenance supplies are available through our store so that your child can have the right tools for the job.