Brass instruments often suffer from abuse or neglect, even at the hands of those who should know better. Here are a few ways you can avoid some expensive repairs.
Grease Tuning Slides
Stuck tuning slides are a common problem, and they are almost always the result of the buildup of corrosion. Remove the slides and clean them regularly (about once in three months). Then apply the proper slide grease. Manufacturers such as Yamaha sell specialised slide grease. Alternatively, you can use the grease supplied by Legato Internasional. Do not use grease sold for use in motor vehicles. Some of these greases contain minerals that can damage the copper in brass instruments. Vaseline and petroleum jelly should not be used either. They can also cause corrosion and quickly result in the slides becoming stuck.
If the slides do become stuck, do not try to force them out or use pliers. Take the instrument to a repair shop.
Keep the Instrument Clean
There are two very good reasons to keep an instrument clean. The first is simply common sense. The warm, moist environment inside a wind instrument is an ideal place for bacteria to multiply. This is especially so when saliva mixed with sugary drinks and tiny pieces of food enter the tubing. The second reason is that the presence of saliva can trigger the production of chemicals that attack the brass. This sometimes leads to an irreversible condition known as “red rot”.
At Legato Internasional we advise customers to avoid consuming food or sugary drinks before playing. It is also a good idea to run clean water though the instrument after a performance.
Advice about the best way to clean brass and woodwind instruments will be given in another article on this website.
Don’t use the Mouthpiece like a Drum!
Some players like the sound that a trumpet, trombone or tuba makes when they thump on the mouthpiece.
But continued thumping can force the mouthpiece into the receiver, causing it to become stuck. The tubing may even split! Stuck mouthpieces can be removed, but the process often requires special equipment. Legato Internasional will remove stuck mouthpieces without charge.
Use the Case!
An instrument not being used should never be placed on a chair or on the floor! Ideally, it should be put in its protective case. This is particularly true of trombones. They have long slides that are particularly sensitive to the slightest knocks.