How to Clean a Trombone Musical Instrument
While practicing your trombone, you may notice your slide getting a bit scratchy. This means it's time to give the trombone a bath. Keeping your trombone dirt free helps maintain an optimal playing condition. Cleaning a trombone is a relatively simple procedure that both beginning and expert trombone players should have no trouble completing.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Fill your bathtub with enough lukewarm water to cover the slide tubes. Make sure to close the drain so water does not run out.
-
2
Add a small amount of dish soap, such as Dawn, to the tub.
-
-
3
Place a towel at the bottom of the tub. This prevents scratches to your instrument.
-
4
Disassemble the trombone, including separating the inner and outer slides.
-
5
Place the trombone in the water and allow it to sit for ten minutes.
-
6
Scrub the insides of the instrument with a trombone cleaning snake. Make sure the snake reaches all the way through the curved part of the slide.
-
7
Wipe the outside areas of the instrument with a washcloth. It's especially important to clean the inner slide area where dirt and slide oil easily build up.
-
8
Rinse the entire instrument in clean, cool water. It's important to remove all the soap residue.
-
9
Remove your trombone from the tub and dry the parts with a soft towel. Drain the water from each section. Open the spit valve on the outer slide as this will help to drain it.
-
10
Spread your trombone pieces out on the floor on a towel and allow them to air dry for several hours.
-
11
Re-assemble the trombone and place back in its case. You now have a clean and optimal-sounding instrument.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
For daily trombone maintenance, make sure to scrub out the mouthpiece with a mouthpiece brush and dry it with a paper towel.
Weekly maintenance should include flushing out the slides with warm water to wash away saliva. Make sure to leave it out to dry for some time before re-assembly.
Do not use harsh detergents or soaps as they may harm the finish of your instrument.
Never leave water in the instrument as it may cause rusting or molding. Make sure it is as dry as you can possibly get it.
Brush your teeth before playing. This helps to ensure that no food gets caught in the mouthpiece or other parts of the instrument.
