Middle School Band » Instrument Care

Instrument Care

Brass

With the exception of the valves, brass instruments can be cleaned with water and Dawn dish soap or similar mild cleaner. The felt pads at the top of the valves should remain dry so they don’t warp. Remove all of the valves, and place the entire rest of the instrument in a bath or container with warm soapy water, or flush through with running water in the tub.

Clean the valves separately in the sink, being careful not to get the felt wet. Use a toothbrush, and either isopropyl alcohol or plain toothpaste to get the dirt and residue off the silver cylinder part of the valve. Tuning slides, interior trombone slides and the interior valve casing on the instruments should be cleaned the same way.

After cleaning the instrument, give it time to air dry completely before putting it back in the case. Oil the valves, making sure they go back in the correct order.

Cleaning kits are available for all instruments that will include valve oil, slide grease, and various brushes - mouthpiece brush, valve casing brush, and a “snake” to get through the main instrument. These are easily available online and at local music stores.

If valves are completely stuck, please see Mr. Cohen for guidance, do not try to fix it at home.

PARENTS ONLY* - if tuning slides are stuck, try putting some WD40 where the slide meets the main pipe and let that sit for a while (don’t put the instrument in the case while it has WD40 on it). If that doesn’t work after a couple of tries, you can gently use a heat gun on low to help loosen the stuck dirt underneath the slide. If that doesn’t work - consult Mr. Cohen, the instrument may need professional repair at that point.

Cleaning Brass Mouthpieces

Use a mouthpiece brush and Dawn or mild dish soap to clean the mouthpiece. Mouthpieces may also be soaked in mouthwash or isopropyl alcohol and then rinsed off.

USING TONGS, brass mouthpieces (NOT woodwind mouthpieces) may also be dipped briefly in boiling water, 5-10 seconds. Handle with caution, mouthpiece will be hot.

Let the mouthpiece dry before putting it back in the case.

 

 

 

 Woodwinds

Saxophones, plastic clarinets, bassoon and oboe and flutes can be sanitized by using a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol and swabbing the tops of keys and key holes, where the fingers touch.  Ensure that the pads, and corks DO NOT GET WET, as this will damage the instrument, or cause the pads to detach from the instruments.  I recommend having wooden clarinets professionally cleaned as many cleaning products can damage the wood of a clarinet.  DO NOT SUBMERGE WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS IN WATER.

 

 

 

CLEANING MOUTHPIECES

Mouthpieces

The mouthpiece (flute headjoint), English Horn and bassoon bocal, and saxophone neck crook) are essential parts of wind instruments. As the only parts of these instruments placed either in or close to the musician's mouth, research has concluded that these parts (and reeds) harbor the greatest quantities of bacteria.

Adhering to the following procedures will ensure that these instrumental parts will remain antiseptically clean for the healthy and safe use of our students and faculty.

Cleaning the Flute Head Joint

  1. Using a cotton swab saturated with denatured, isopropyl alcohol, carefully clean around the embouchure hole.
  2. Alcohol wipes can be used on the flute's lip plate to kill germs if the flute shared by several players.
  3. Using a soft, lint-free silk cloth inserted into the cleaning rod, clean the inside of the headjoint.
  4. Do not run the headjoint under water as it may saturate and eventually shrink the headjoint cork.

Cleaning Bocals

  1. Bocals should be cleaned every month with a bocal brush, mild soap solution, and running water.
  2. English Horn bocals can be cleaned with a pipe cleaner, mild soap solution, and running water. Be careful not to scratch the inside of the bocal with the exposed wire ends of the pipe cleaner.

Cleaning Hard Rubber (Ebony) Mouthpieces

  1. Mouthpieces should be swabbed after each playing and cleaned weekly.
  2. Select a small (to use less liquid) container that will accommodate the mouthpiece and place the mouthpiece tip down in the container.
  3. Fill the container to where the ligature would begin with a solution of half water and half white vinegar (50% water and 50% hydrogen peroxide works too). Protect clarinet mouthpiece corked tenons from moisture.
  4. After a short time, use an appropriately sized mouthpiece brush to remove any calcium deposits or other residue from inside and outside surfaces. This step may need to be repeated if the mouthpiece is excessively dirty.
  5. Rinse the mouthpiece thoroughly and then saturate with Sterisol germicide solution. Place on paper towel and wait one minute.
  6. Wipe dry with paper towel.
  7. Note: Metal saxophone mouthpieces clean up well with hot water, mild dish soap (not dishwasher detergent), and a mouthpiece brush. Sterisol germicide solution is also safe for metal mouthpieces.

Cleaning Saxophone Necks (Crooks)

  1. Swabs are available to clean the inside of the saxophone neck. However, most saxophonists use a flexible bottlebrush and toothbrush to accomplish the same results.
  2. If the instrument is played daily, the saxophone neck should be cleaned weekly (and swabbed out each day after playing).
  3. Use the bottlebrush and mild, soapy water to clean the inside of the neck.
  4. Rinse under running water.
  5. Sterisol germicide solution may be used on the inside of the neck at this time, if desired (not necessary). Place on paper towel for one minute.
  6. Rinse again under running water, dry, and place in the case.