BASIC BRASS MAINTENANCE - TROMBONE

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:
- Slide Cream
- Tuning Slide Grease
- Mouthpiece Brush
- Polishing cloth
- Bore Brush
- Lint free Rag
- Spray Bottle

BATHING YOUR INSTRUMENT
The importance of proper cleaning cannot be underestimated. Your trombone should be cleaned thoroughly about once a month. This involves disassembling your trombone. To do this, remove the tuning slide and also remove the inner slide from the outer slide.
To clean your trombone place all parts in a large tub filled with lukewarm water and dishwashing detergent. The mouthpiece can also be placed in the tub. Soak for several minutes, then using your bore brush clean the inside of the main body of the trombone. Use the mouthpiece brush to gently scrub out the mouthpiece.
Gently clean the insides of the slides with the bore brush but don’t try and force the brush all the way through them. Rinse all parts of the trombone and dry with a soft cloth. Leave all parts on a towel to dry for a few hours.
To assemble apply a small amount of tuning slide grease to the end of the tuning slide and install, working in and out several times to distribute the grease evenly. Wipe off any excess left on the outside.
Apply a small amount of slide cream to the bottom parts of the inner slide and then lightly spray with water.
Insert each side of the slide separately, and then insert together working in and out several times to evenly distribute the cream.
Lastly give the outside of your trombone a polish with your polishing cloth.

HELPFUL HINTS
- Your trombone should be polished every time you have finished playing 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 ever ytime you have touched it.
- Every time you apply new slide cream to your slide you need to wipe off the old cream with a lint free cloth. This stops a build up of cream and the slide from sticking.
The same applies to the grease on the tuning slide, always wipe off the old grease first.
- Always remove the slide by pulling it straight out and not at an angle as this bends the slide and causes it to not function properly.
- If the slide becomes tight and hard to slide take it straight to a repair technician. This will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
- Never use pliers to remove a stuck mouthpiece as this very rarely works without causing more problems. If the mouthpiece becomes stuck, either take it to your teacher or a technician. Either one should have the correct tool to remove the mouthpiece.
- Your mouthpiece should be cleaned weekly to remove blockages and to keep it clean. Rinse it in water and gently scrub with your mouthpiece brush.
As most problems are caused by neglect and lack of maintenance, please follow the above directions and always ask someone if you are having any trouble.
Hopefully this helps with the care of your new trombone.
The most important thing to remember is to have your instrument regularly serviced by a technician to keep the other technical parts of your trombone in excellent working order. This should be done at least once a year.

HAPPY PLAYING!!