This is where I’ll give detailed information about how to care for your instrument. For now, I’ll just give a brief guide, and leave a few youtube videos for you to check out as necessary.
All instruments
Take care! These are not designed to be dropped, sat on, thrown, bounced, either in their cases or out. NEVER leave an instrument somewhere where it might fall or be sat on.
If your instrument is not working for any reason other than those listed below, please check with Adam. DO NOT attempt repairs with tools at home, and only use instrument specific lubricants.
Valved instruments
The most common issue is sticky valves. For this you will need valve oil. Some may have come with your instrument. If not, you can buy a bottle for about $10 which will last you for ages. (You can buy some here). See below for instructions. For larger instruments (baritone, euphonium, tuba) there is a spring that sits loose underneath the valve – be careful not to lose it!
Sometimes things can go wrong when replacing valves. If your instrument is not making its usual sound, check the following video.
Trombones
The slide must be very well looked after! Keeping a trombone slide lubricated is very important. A sticky slide will be really frustrating to play. A dented slide will require professional repair, which can be expensive! So look after it – never let your slide knock against things.
To grease your slide you need three things; A cloth, to wipe the inner slide clean, a lubricant (I recommend Slide-O-Mix Rapid – buy it here), and a water spray bottle. See the video below for instructions (I always spray with water after adding lubricant).
Where to shop
For buying accessories or repairs I usually go to Fine Music in Auburn Rd, Hawthorn. Alternatively you could try Wombat Woodwind and Brass in Collingwood, or Campbell Brasswind in Richmond.
Cleaning
Other than the working parts (valves/slide), the instrument can be cleaned on the inside and outside. Both are addressed in the following video.
The biggest issue is the cleanliness of the mouthpiece and the inside of the leadpipe. Good oral hygiene is important! Don’t play while eating, or if you have finished eating, rinse your mouth out before playing. Otherwise, small crumbs go into the instrument, get stuck in the leadpipe and grow mould….
Dents/damage
These are best attended to by a repairer. Minor dents should not affect the sound – it is of most concern when those dents affect the operation of the slide or valves. That said, students can get a bit down if their instrument looks dented.
The repairers at the stores listed above are all very good. They might ask if you want a ‘general service’ too – this means cleaning the inside of the instrument thoroughly, lubricating the valves/slides and making sure everything is in good order. This is not a bad idea if you are in a financial position to do so, otherwise my video on cleaning will suffice.
RWPS Brass Band 