CARE AND MAINTENCE OF YOUR BAND INSTRUMENT

BRASS INSTRUMENT CARE

Weekly-

-Oil trumpet valves and trombone slide.

            -Wash the mouthpiece.

Monthly-

-Grease tuning slides.

            -Clean the valve casings and valves using brush and warm water.

            -Clean trombone slide tubes with clean rag and snake.

            -Wipe the valves and trombone slide clean before adding new oil.

A bathtub is a good place to do this. It will not hurt the instrument to immerse it in cold or warm water.

Never stand your instrument on its bell. Never leave it on your chair or a music stand. Never hand it off to a friend to keep care of.

REMEMBER: There are only 2 places for your instrument: in the case or in your face. If you have to set it down, do so in its case.

FLUTE INSTRUMENT CARE

-Swab inside of the flute with cleaning rod after each use.

-Clean tenon joints.

-Never oil your own keys without consulting a music teacher or repairman.

-Make sure the only thing in your case is your flute and cleaning rod.

Store the instrument properly- never lay your flute on your chair nor on a music stand. Never hand it off to a friend to take care of.

REMEMBER: There are only 2 places for your instrument: in the case or in your face. If you have to set it down, do so in its case.

REED INSTRUMENTS CARE

-Swab the inside your instrument after each use and before storing it in the case.

-Wipe exterior with cloth to help preserve its finish.

-Only grease corks when needed.

-Never pick your instrument up by the keys.

-When buying a new reed, unpack carefully, avoiding contact with its tip. Use a reed guard.

-Never leave the reed on the mouthpiece while storing in the case.

Store the instrument properly- Never lay your instrument on your chair or on a music stand. Never hand it off to a friend to take care of.

REMEMBER: There are only 2 places for your instrument: in the case or in your face. If you have to set it down, do so in its case.

STRING INSTRUMENT CARE

-Clean and wipe rosin off the strings and the violin after use.

-Never use alcohol or solvents in cleaning your violin.

-Keep the violin in case when not in use.

-Use a humidifier if you are storing your violin in cold places.

-Store the violin in a safe place, away from harm.

-Keep your pegs properly fitted at all times.

-Always check your bridge’s alignment. Consult a knowledgeable person on how it should be aligned.

-Always loosen the bow hair when not in use.

-Keep your hands clean and your nails properly-trimmed.

-Avoid touching the varnished parts with sweaty hands.

Store the instrument properly- never lay your violin on your chair or on a music stand. Never hand it off to a friend to take care of. Put it in the case if you have to leave it.

PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT CARE

MALLET AND STICK CARE

          -A good stick bag is a percussionist’s best friend

-Oil from the fingers and hands can soak into the ball of the mallet, causing it to wear down much faster

-Never clank the sticks of the mallets together very hard, as this can cause them to crack or break.

-Mallets are to be used on the respective instrument for which they were designed to achieve the most desirable sound from the instrument

SNARE DRUM INSTRUMENT CARE

-Clean and maintain the drum head using Windex or a small amount of Ajax on a damp cloth.

-Check, clean, and maintain your drum’s snares making sure no wires are bent

-Lubricate the moving pieces only when needed

-Make sure all tension rods are equally tight around the drum.

BELL KIT INSTRUMENT CARE

-Try to avoid setting anything except for mallets on top of the keyboard

Avoid playing the bell kit with drum sticks

“The importance of musicians cannot be underestimated. They are messengers, they are healers. The world needs their passion, creativity and courage!”

Sunday Guitars is a big part of the Central Oregon music community, serving fellow musicians, teachers, parents, schools and other stores in our community.

We have a fine selection of new and used band and orchestra instruments for sale or rent.

In the words of Ted, the owner, “we are a full-service provider, with a focus on band and orchestra instruments with good pricing to better fit those that are eager to be in music programs but wish to limit their spending on rental or purchase.”