Buhler+USD+313+Elementary+Bands

=Instrument Maintenance=

code Instrument Cleaning Guide March 21, 2007**
 * Buhler Grade / Prosperity Elementary


 * [|USD 313 Elementary Website]**

The author of this page assumes no responsibility or liability for these instructions. These have been effective in the author's past experience.

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**WOODWIND CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS**
code Generally there is less that you can do to clean a woodwind instrument than other types of instruments. Their cleaning comes more in the way of daily maintenance. Careful observance of these instructions will make your instrument easier to play and will preserve its appearance. It will also cut down on repair bills.

It is important that to make sure that your instrument is in proper adjustment. This is especially true of older instruments. If keys are bent; or pads are torn or worn out; or the instrument is out of adjustment, it will be difficult if not impossible for you to be successful on that instrument. It is important that you have this checked out. Once this is taken care of, follow the instructions below.

1.Put your instrument together carefully. If you have to force it together, something is wrong. You may need to use cork grease to put some parts of the instrument together. Pressing certain keys will make it easier to put the instrument together.

2.When you have finished playing the instrument, take the reed off, dry it and place it in a reed case.

3.Do not leave the reed on the mouthpiece, it will warp. It should be taken off the mouthpiece and put in its case.

4.Clarinet and saxophone players should have at least four reeds in your case. Number these reeds 1 through 4 and rotate their use daily. As soon as one breaks or wears out, replace that reed as soon as possible.

5.Run a swab through each section of the instrument or use the cleaning rod on the flute. There are several types of swabs. A popular swab with students is called a pad saver. A student simply inserts this in their instrument, when they are finished playing. It soaks up the moisture which will ruin pads over a period of time.

6.Each student should have a soft, clean cloth to wipe off the outside of their instrument, especially where their hands have touched parts of the instrument. This will go a long way towards preserving the appearance of their instrument.

7.The mouthpiece should be cleaned out weekly. You can use a special mouthpiece brush or pull a handkerchief through, on larger mouthpieces. You can was most mouthpieces in warm water. Do not use hot water, it could warp the mouthpiece. DO NOT WASH THE REST OF THE INSTRUMENT! This will ruin the pads. It is expensive to re-pad your instrument.

8.Extra things should not be stored in the instrument case, unless a special compartment is provided. This can bend, scratch, or otherwise damage the instrument.

9.Q-tips can be used to clean between the moving parts on most instruments. Be careful not to bend springs and keys while doing this.

10.Periodically, you should have your instrument inspected and adjusted by a music store or someone else who knows what to look for and adjust the instrument.

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**BRASS CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS**
code As with the woodwinds there are several daily maintenance procedures that will lengthen the life of and improve the playing of a brass instrument. All water key corks should work. All tuning slides should move freely. Care must be taken not top dent the instruments. Even small dents will affect the sound produced by the instrument.

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Daily Maintenance of Brass Instruments
code 1. Empty all water out of the horn when you finish playing each time. If  necessary pull slides that might have water in them.

2. Take a soft, clean cloth and wipe off the outside of the instrument, especially where has been touched by your hands.

3. Run a mouthpiece brush through the mouthpiece and wipe off its rim.

4. When you put your instrument up, do not store other stuff in your case, unless there is a compartment for other items.

5. Latch your case every time. You never know when someone else might pick it  up.

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MONTHLY MAINTENANCE OF BRASS INSTRUMENTS
code Once a month you should give your brass instrument a thorough cleaning. When disassembling your instrument, be careful. Brass instruments dent very easily.

1. Fill a large sink or bathtub (depending on the size of your instrument) with luke-warm water. Do not use hot water. It will melt the lacquer on  your instrument.

2. Mix a mild dishwashing detergent in the water. (I use Dawn)

3. Take your instrument apart. Pull all slides and place them into the water. Allow them to soak for approximately 15 minutes.

4. Place the main body of the instrument in the water. You can also put the mouthpiece in. Take all of the valve caps off and put them the water as  well.

5. Do not put the valves in the water.

6. While the instrument is soaking rinse each valve with warm water. Make sure that you can identify which valve they are. If they are not numbered, make sure that you can keep them in order.

7. After about 15 minutes, take each part and run a snake through it, loosening the dirt inside.

8. Then run clean water through each part.

9. Set each part up, and allow to dry. Continue with each part of your instrument.

10. When you have cleaned each part, take a soft, dry cloth and wipe off the outside of your instrument.

11. Grease each slide and put back in its correct place. 12. Lightly oil the valve and place them back in their correct valve casing. 13. Wipe off the outside of the instrument.

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PERCUSSION CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Don’t beat your drum up. Play with care. There is no reason for a drum head to be dented. 2. Periodically take a damp cloth and wipe off the outside, as well as, the head of the drum. 3. Do not set the bottom of the snare on sharp objects. It is easy to puncture. 4. When you replace a head on your drum, remember that there are two kinds of heads. Batter heads are placed on the top of the drum. This is the head that you strike with your stick. The bottom head is called the snare head. It is much thinner and can be broken relatively easily. Take care not to set it on sharp objects. 5. When you are replacing a drum head, take time to tighten all of the hardware inside of the drum. 6. Grease the tension rods at least once a year.