10 Brass Instrument Maintenance Tips for Beginning Students

Proper maintenance is essential for keeping your brass instrument in good playing condition. Whether you’re playing trumpet, trombone, French horn, or some other brass instrument, you can follow these tips to keep it working properly, extend its life, and avoid costly trips to the repair shop.

1. Treat Your Instrument With Respect

Despite being made of metal, you should still be gentle with your instrument. Brass instruments can easily get dented if you're not careful. Larger dents can even have an adverse effect on your instrument’s sound quality.

For instruments that come in multiple parts, like trombones or detachable bell French horns, be sure to assemble and disassemble your instrument with care. If you need help, talk with your instructor about the proper way to assemble and take apart your instrument.

2. Lubricate Your Valves or Handslide

Well-oiled valves (or a well-lubricated handslide for trombones) will help your instrument feel good to play and prevent damage against normal wear and tear. You should oil them 1-3 times a week, or as needed whenever they feel sluggish.

Don’t over-oil your valves though! You only need to use a few drops at a time.

Valve oil prevents the metal surfaces from scratching against each other. It also lubricates the valve so it moves quickly and has a smooth-feeling action. Similarly, lubricating the slide on your trombone keeps it from feeling stiff while playing.

Read More: How to Lubricate a Trombone Slide

Make sure to use the proper oil for your instrument! Some oils are thicker than others, and are used for different types of valves:

• Piston valves on trumpets, baritones, euphoniums, and piston tubas can all use standard valve oil
• Trombone slides should use trombone slide oil, slide cream with water, or another lubricant made specifically for trombones.
• Rotary valves should use rotary oil. French horns typically use light rotor oil, while rotary tubas should use a heavier rotor oil.

3. Grease Your Tuning Slides

Tuning slides adjust how well in-tune your instrument is. Slide grease makes it easier to adjust those slides, while also creating an airtight seal around them.

Typically, you should grease your slides about once a month, or as needed. When you notice your tuning slide starts sticking, you can add more.

Here’s how you should grease your tuning slide:

1. Remove the slide from your instrument.
2. Wipe off all the old grease with a clean cloth.
3. Apply some slide grease to the surface of the inside tube.
4. Re-insert the tuning slide and move it in and out to make sure it’s applied evenly.

Don’t use regular valve oil for your tuning slides. Tuning slide grease is much thicker than valve oil, and is made from different ingredients. As such, it will cause your valves and rotors to stick.

4. Empty Any Fluids Before Storing

As you play, saliva and moisture builds up inside your instrument. Empty them out using the water key(s) found on the instrument, or any other appropriate method for your instrument.

If left unchecked, acidic fluids can corrode your instrument from the inside and cause red rot (reddish patches on the brass). Red rot breaks down the brass alloy, making it weaker and shortening the instrument’s lifespan. Nothing can really be done to fix this, aside from fully replacing the affected part.

So empty out that moisture before putting your instrument away!

5. Wipe Off Your Instrument When Done Playing

Wiping your instrument down after playing is quick and easy to do. It helps preserve your instrument’s finish and keeps it looking nice.

Your skin produces natural oils that are slightly acidic. These oils can also wear out the lacquer surface over time and possibly cause red rot.

You can prevent red rot and other cosmetic issues by simply wiping off your instrument with a microfiber cloth every time you’re done playing.

6. Wash Your Mouthpiece

From time to time, you should also clean your mouthpiece. Use a mouthpiece brush to scrub out the inside with a small amount of dish soap and room temperature water. It will clean out any gunk building up that might reduce airflow and cause other problems.

7. Clean Out the Valve Casings

The valve casing is the tube that holds the piston in place and allows it to move up and down. About once every month or two, you should clean it using a valve casing brush or swab.

Carefully remove the piston and bottom caps from the valve. Gently brush or wipe away any oil and debris from inside the valve casing. Apply a few drops of valve oil when you reassemble the valves, and you’re all set!

8. Store Your Instrument Properly

Always keep your instrument in its case when you're not playing. The case protects it from dust, humidity, and potential damage.

Be sure to close the case properly to keep it secure inside the case. Also, avoid exposing your instrument to extreme temperatures or leaving it in direct sunlight. Do not leave it in your car.

9. Brush Your Teeth, Rinse Your Mouth, and Wash Your Hands Before Playing

Food and debris can get inside your instrument, creating obstructions in airflow and creating a home for mold and germs that can spread illness or damage your instrument.

Avoid eating or drinking sugary drinks while playing. When possible, brush your teeth before playing. If that’s not an option, at least rinse your mouth out with water.

Your hands can also leave dirt and oils on the instrument’s surface, which can leave debris inside the instrument’s tone holes or cause cosmetic issues. So be sure to wash them before playing.

10. Visit a Qualified Brass Repair Technician At Least Once a Year

Your instrument is like a car. A car needs regular oil changes and maintenance from a qualified mechanic to keep it working properly.

The same thing applies to brass instruments. Your horn experiences natural wear and tear from regular use, and should be inspected at least once a year.

Regular visits to your local repair shop can prevent many issues before they happen. As a result, you’ll save yourself from costly repair issues and the headaches that come with them.

If you live in and around Salt Lake City, you can stop by our band repair shop and we’ll help you take care of your instrument.