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Protect Your Investment: Basic Tips for Caring for Your Student’s Instrument

Monday August 1, 2022. 10:40 PM , from Sweetwater inSync
Taking care of your student’s band or orchestra instrument can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never played an instrument yourself. We understand. After all, you’re in unfamiliar territory! This article will delve into some of the basics of caring for brass, woodwind, and string instruments. This is only a primer, but it will give you a great starting point and will allow you to instill good habits into your student right from the start.

Brass Instruments

Don’t eat while (or just before) playing your instrument. This tip is especially true for sugary candy, soda pop, and chewing gum as they’ll cause gunk to build up inside your instrument.Be careful when you put your instrument in its case. Be sure you fit it into the correct indentations. The case should close easily. If you have to force it, then your instrument is probably not positioned correctly.Keep your instrument dry. Always ensure that your instrument is completely dry before placing it in its case. Failure to do so will result in a mildew-infested mess. Drain any water after playing and wipe your instrument dry with a soft cloth. It’s also a good idea to have your instrument professionally cleaned annually to prevent corrosion and other types of damage.Take care of your mouthpiece. Always remove your mouthpiece before storing your instrument. If your mouthpiece is dry, then apply a small amount of valve oil to your bore to keep it from getting stuck. If your mouthpiece does get stuck, then use a proper mouthpiece puller to remove it. Finally, clean your mouthpiece regularly with warm water and mild soap.Move it or lose it. Brass parts tend to stick together if left stationary for an extended time. Ensure that you move all the parts of your instrument regularly if you haven’t been playing it.Keep your instrument well oiled. Apply a drop or two of valve oil to your bearings and rotors a couple times a week then work the valve to ensure that the oil is spread evenly. Unscrew trumpet valves, wipe them clean, then put a drop of oil on the valve, valve cap, and bottom cap. You should also apply slide oil to your trombone at least once a week by placing its hand slide into third position and adding oil to each slide.

Woodwind Instruments

Don’t eat while (or just before) playing your instrument. This is especially true of sugary candy, soda pop, and chewing gum as they’ll cause a nasty goo to build up inside your instrument.Be careful when you put your instrument in its case. Place it on its back and be sure you fit it into the correct indentations. The case should close easily. If you have to force it, then your instrument is probably not positioned correctly. You should also remove neck straps from your instrument before placing it in its case.Pick up your instrument the right way. It’s best to lift your instrument by its bore — never by its keys. Keys are fragile!Keep your instrument free of moisture. Internal condensation can create a moldy mess over time and even cause cracks in your instrument. To resolve this issue, pull a clean, dry swab through your instrument before you put it in its case. You should also wipe the wetness off your instrument’s key pads before storing it.Store your instrument correctly. Refrain from storing the reed in your instrument’s mouthpiece; use a reed guard instead. Beyond that, saxophonists should always use an end plug when storing their instrument. Finally, wash your mouthpiece with warm, soapy water and let it dry completely before storing your instrument.Don’t forget the grease. Regularly apply a small amount of cork grease to your cork joints to keep everything airtight. Also, oil your keys every few months with key oil to keep them operating smoothly.

String Instruments

Wash your hands before playing your instrument. That said, even with clean hands, you should avoid touching the wood parts of your instrument as skin oils can damage its varnish, affecting its appearance and tone. You should also avoid touching the hair on your bow as this can keep rosin from sticking to it.Store your shoulder rest properly. Remove the shoulder rest from your violin or viola before putting the instrument in its case. You should store the shoulder rest in either a discrete compartment in the case or a separate bag.Use a specialized instrument polish. Never use commercial or household solvents on your instrument as they can damage its varnish. Sweetwater carries several polishes tailor-made for string instruments. Get into the habit of cleaning your instrument regularly to safeguard against sticky rosin dust buildup.Set down your instrument correctly. You should always set down your instrument string side up — even when it’s in its case — to prevent damaging its bridge and other delicate parts.Tune your instrument the right way. When tuning your instrument, start with the tuning pegs then make minor adjustments with the fine tuners. If peg slippage is an issue, then try applying peg compound.

General Helpful Hints

Keep your instrument in its case when you’re not using it. Make sure the case’s hinges, locks, and zippers work to safeguard against dropping your instrument. Also, refrain from storing miscellaneous items on top of your instrument inside its case.Be mindful of the temperature. Don’t expose your instrument to extreme temperatures, which can warp or damage it. Leaving your instrument in the car is generally not a good idea for this very reason. Also, if your instrument is being brought inside from cold weather, let it warm to room temperature before you play it.Keep your instrument clean. Wipe your instrument of fingerprints, dust, and residue with a clean, soft, untreated cloth before you put it in its case.Don’t try to repair your instrument. Never attempt to glue a damaged string instrument or bow. Refrain from trying to hammer dents out of a brass instrument. You may do more harm than good. Luckily, Sweetwater’s repair department is eminently qualified to fix your damaged band and orchestra instrument.

Have questions? No problem. Sweetwater Band & Orchestra has the answers! Give us a call at (260) 482-5533. We’ll be happy to help you out!
The post Protect Your Investment: Basic Tips for Caring for Your Student’s Instrument appeared first on inSync.
https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/protect-your-investment-basic-tips-for-caring-for-your-students-in...
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