How to Care for a Bach Trumpet
Proper maintenance of musical instruments is a basic and fundamental part of the musical process. Your ability to play properly is largely effected by your trumpet's condition; poor care equates to a more difficult playing process, so proper care is paramount.
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Things You'll Need
- Two soft cloths
- Brass-cleaning snake
- Cone wire brush
- Valve oil
- Silver polish (optional)
Instructions
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Keep the keys and valves well oiled--these are the most important part of the horn. Underneath the valves are small holes. Turn the trunpet upside down and put three to four drops of oil inside. Return the horn to an upright position, push the valve down, and release several times. Some oil will drip out, so use one cloth to wipe it up.
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Repeat the above step with each valve.
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Unscrew the key caps and remove the entire valve one at a time. Brush out any sludge with the wire brush and wipe away with dirty rage. Lubricate the valve with the oil and replace making sure the key cap is secure.
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Repeat the above step with each valve.
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Empty the water and spit valves. Stick the brush end of the snake into the lead pipe and snake it through the tubing until it comes out the bell. Pull the snake back through the horn and clean brush. Repeat this until no sludge is apparrent on the brush.
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Use the clean soft cloth to wipe any finger prints off the laquer. If you have a silver trumpet, use one end to apply a thin coat of polish. Wait for the polish to dry and use the clean end to buff it off.
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Tips & Warnings
Before every performance, Oil the valves using the bottom port holes.
Once or twice a month, completely clean your trumpet as explained above.
When removing valves, remove one at a time. Valves are specific to their opening, and mixing them up will stop the horn from playing.
