How to Clean an English Horn

English horns need to be handled with care.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Chamois Cloth W/drop Weight
• Key Oils
• Pull-through Swabs
• Cotton Cloth
• Humidistats
• Treated Feathers

1. Allow a qualified professional, double-reed repair technician to dismantle posts and keys. The untrained amateur should definitely avoid this procedure.
2. Establish a habit of wiping any moisture from the keys or wood externally.
3. Use a pull-through swab to dry the interior of the instrument after every rehearsal or performance.
4. If the keypads retain heavy moisture, double a paper towel, place under each pad, and close the pad to gain maximum absorption.
5. Do this for each pad that needs it. Pads nearer the reed are exposed to greater moisture.
6. Maintain an even temperature and humidity in the storage location by using a humidistat.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the Related Sites for additional tips. The Mark Chudnow site has a good tips page for the bassoon. Many of these tips will apply to the English horn.
• Placing a group of three to five treated feathers in the bell of the instrument is a technique that some musicians have used to protect the delicate wood of an English horn during storage in the case.
• Loree is a French company that specializes in double-reed instrument manufacture, supply and repair.
• When polishing keys, use the polish cloth with care. Avoid bending delicate keys.