BASIC WOODWIND MAINTENANCE - SAXOPHONE

This information is designed to help you keep your instrument in the best playing condition possible.
To begin with there are a few accessories you will need. These are as listed:
- Cork Grease
- Instrument Swab
- Reed Guard
- Polishing cloth
- Mouthpiece Brush
- Neck Saver
- Reeds

ASSEMBLING YOUR INSTRUMENT
Please do not attempt to assemble your saxophone until shown how by your music teacher. This is very important, as the keys on the saxophone are very easy to bend. How disappointing not to be able to make a sound out of your new saxophone because you have bent a key.
Once you have been shown how to assemble your saxophone you will need to apply some cork grease to the neck cork. Apply a bit out of the tube and rub in with your finger. Only apply the grease when your mouthpiece is hard to put on as too much grease will rot the cork. If you don’t apply enough grease the cork will rip and tear off as you push the mouthpiece on.

CLEANING YOUR INSTRUMENT
After you have finished playing your saxophone it should be thoroughly cleaned inside and out.
Remove your reed from the mouthpiece, very carefully wipe dry and store in your reed holder. This helps keep the reed from warping and also reduces mould. Using your swab wipe the mouthpiece dry but DO NOT pull the swab through the mouthpiece. You can rinse your mouthpiece in water as often as you like and scrub out with your mouthpiece brush to stop any build up.
Using your swab, pull gently through the main body of the saxophone a couple of times being careful not to force the swab through. Place the neck saver in the neck of the saxophone and leave there whilst not playing.
Polish all the keys to remove any fingerprints. Some people’s fingerprints have a lot of acid in them and this can tarnish or strip the instruments plating. The only way to slow this process is to polish your instrument after every time you have touched it. Be very careful when polishing the keys so as not to knock off any of the key corks or springs. Do not try to polish under any of the keys.
Hopefully this helps with the care of your new Saxophone.
The most important thing to remember is to have your instrument regularly serviced by a technician to keep the other technical parts of your saxophone in excellent working order. This should be done at least once a year.

HAPPY PLAYING!!