BASIC BRASS MAINTENANCE - TRUMPET, CORNET, FLUGEL HORN

This guide 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:
- Valve Oil
- Tuning Slide Grease
- Mouthpiece Brush
- Polishing Cloth
- Valve Casing Brush
- Bore Brush
- Lint free Rag

BATHING YOUR INSTRUMENT
The importance of proper cleaning cannot be underestimated. Your trumpet should be cleaned thoroughly about once a month. This involves disassembling your trumpet. To do this remove all tuning slides, unscrew the bottom valve caps and remove, then unscrew and remove the valves.
To clean your trumpet place it in a large tub filled with lukewarm water and dishwashing detergent. The bottom valve caps, slides and mouthpiece can also be placed in the tub. DO NOT wash the valves.(To clean the valves wipe clean with a damp lint free rag).Soak for several minutes, then using your bore brush clean the inside of the main body of the trumpet, being careful not to force the brush through the slide ports into the valve casing. Use the valve casing brush to gently clean the valve casings. Use the mouthpiece brush to gently scrub out the mouthpiece.
Gently clean the slides with the bore brush but don’t try and force the brush all the way through them (it won’t go all the way through any of them). Rinse all parts of the trumpet 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 slides and install, working each one in and out several times to distribute the grease evenly. Wipe off any excess on the outside of the slides.
Each valve is stamped with a number (1,2 or 3). These match the numbers stamped on the outside of the valve casing. If you can’t read the number on the casing the number 1 valve is always the one closest to the mouthpiece end.
Inside each valve casing is a notch, the valve guide on the valve has to lock into this to prevent the valve from spinning. Place a couple of drops of valve oil on the valve and gently insert into the casing. Turn the valve until you feel the guide lock into place, then tighten the valve cap. Do this to all 3. If at any stage the valves are hard to insert or remove, DO NOT force them. This is very important as they are very easy to bend and cannot always be straightened. If they are ever tight take the trumpet straight to a repair technician.
Lastly put a few drops of oil on the bottom valve cap threads and tighten. Then polish your trumpet with the correct polishing cloth.

HELPFUL HINTS
- Your trumpet 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 every time you have touched it.
- Every time you apply new oil to your valves you need to wipe off the old oil with a lint free cloth. This stops the valve sticking due to a build up of oil.
The same applies to the grease on the tuning slides, always wipe off the old grease first.
- Always remove the valves by pulling them straight up and not at an angle as this bends the valves and causes them to not function properly.
- Never try to remove stuck valves with a drumstick or any other sort of implement. The valve is very thin and easily damaged. Take it straight to a technician if they are stuck to save yourself more problems and money.
- Never use pliers to remove a stuck mouthpiece 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 any 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 trumpet.
The most important thing to remember is to have your instrument regularly serviced by a technician to keep the other technical parts of your trumpet in excellent working order. This should be done at least once a year.

HAPPY PLAYING!!