| Did you know that the health and beauty of your | | | | To spare your brass from unsightly "bruises," be |
| brass instruments require extra special attention? | | | | sure to always store your instrument in its case |
| It's true-their well being and happiness depend | | | | when its not being used. Doing so will not only |
| upon it. While we're not talking about putting your | | | | spare your brass from damage, but it'll also keep |
| tuba on a weight-loss program or taking your | | | | your instrument clean. Remember, your |
| trumpet to the spa for a makeover, you do need | | | | instrument case is for your instrument; storing |
| to treat your brass instruments with care or | | | | music books, cleaning supplies, or even your lunch |
| they'll refuse to come out and play. So, grab that | | | | inside the case can lead to all kinds of problems |
| brass and get ready for a workout-it's time to | | | | with the slides or valves of your instrument. |
| clean! | | | | Once A Month It's Thorough Internal Cleaning |
| When was the last time you saw a dirty French | | | | Time |
| Horn in the orchestra? Probably never, right? | | | | To do this, you'll need to take your brass apart |
| That's because professional musicians know how | | | | completely. You'll also need some supplies, including |
| to take daily, monthly, and yearly care of their | | | | cleaning brushes, liquid soap, slide grease (if your |
| instruments. Now's your chance to do the same! | | | | instrument has slides), and valve oil. If you're not |
| Starting with daily care, follow these tips to | | | | comfortable with any of these steps, take your |
| maintain the health and beauty of your brass. | | | | instrument to a music shop for a professional |
| Note: Because brass instruments vary, be sure to | | | | cleaning to keep it in tip top shape. |
| learn the specific cleaning methods for your | | | | Head to your bathroom or kitchen sink and get |
| particular instrument. For example, rotor | | | | ready to get dirty! |
| instruments like the French horns, rotor tubas, | | | | |
| and rotor trombones should always be cleaned by | | | | 1. Remove all slides, valves and valve bottom |
| an experienced repair person. | | | | caps and place them, except for the valves, in |
| Once a week, lubricate the valves on your brass | | | | warm, soapy water. Soak the parts in the water |
| instrument. Simply unscrew the valve cap and | | | | for 10 minutes |
| draw out the valve half way. Using the | | | | 2. As your parts are soaking, run warm water |
| appropriate lubricant, apply a drop of valve oil to | | | | over your valves and use the valve brush to |
| the widest part of the valve. Then, press the | | | | brush out all openings. Give your valves a good |
| valve back to its original position. The valves on | | | | shake to remove excess water and let dry |
| most brass instruments have a "guide" that helps | | | | 3. Depending on your type of instrument, you'll |
| you to line up the valve. Most often, you'll hear a | | | | want to brush all its tubes and compartments as |
| *click* when you've got the valve perfectly | | | | well as the valve casings |
| aligned. | | | | 4. Rinse the entire instrument with warm water |
| If you play a brass instrument, you know what | | | | and be sure to wipe off any excess moisture |
| happens after a good session of blowing. You | | | | with a soft cloth. Before moving on to the next |
| know, "moisture" can build up inside of your | | | | step, you'll want to make sure your instrument is |
| instrument. If it's not removed, this moisture can | | | | completely dry |
| do a real number on the health of your | | | | 5. If your instrument has slides, apply a little slide |
| instrument. To be sure you've removed all | | | | grease to each and put back together reassemble |
| moisture from your instrument after you're done | | | | 6. Replace the valves and apply a drop of oil on |
| playing, you'll want do a final blow with the water | | | | each to lubricate. Most valves are numbered, so |
| keys opened. This should help to keep the insides | | | | be sure to put yours back in the correct location |
| of your instruments happy and dry. | | | | Voila! You're done. You can now go slide that |
| No Fingerprints Please | | | | trombone or toot that trumpet to your heart's |
| To keep your brass shining, be sure to wipe | | | | content. Because you treated your brass with |
| down the outside of the instrument after each | | | | cleanly attention, it'll serve up beautiful music for |
| use. This will help remove oils and perspiration left | | | | years to come! Play that horn, Daddy-O! |
| by your hands. | | | | |