How to Clean a French Horn Mouthpiece
Your mouthpiece could arguably be called the most important part of your horn. This is where the sound begins, and this is how your tone is created. If your mouthpiece is dirty, it can create quite a few problems--your intonation may even become dulled and your tone quality can drop because of debris in the mouthpiece. Quite apart from the musical aspect, your mouthpiece can harbor germs which can continue making you sick. This is why it's important to clean your mouthpiece properly and well.
Instructions
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Rinse your mouthpiece in warm, soapy water to help eliminate germs that might make you sick.
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Soak the mouthpiece in warm water, and then scrub the throat and bore with a mouthpiece brush. Do this at least once a week (more often if you can see debris inside the mouthpiece).
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Polish it with silver polish to helps keep your horn looking neat and orderly. Make sure to use it sparingly though, and to get off all the polish according to the package directions.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't want to invest in a mouthpiece brush, you can use cotton swabs to do the same thing.
Never play while anything is in your mouth, especially gum or hard candy. Brush your teeth before playing, and don't eat or drink anything (except water) until you're done. Avoid letting other people use your mouthpiece, and, if you do, make sure to thoroughly clean it before you use it again.
Often the smell of silver polish can become overwhelming if you don't get it all off, and can affect your performance the next few times you play.
