Module 15: Maintenance 101
A Clean Horn Plays Better
As you play, saliva and food particles (yuck) build up inside the leadpipe. This creates calcification ('cheese'). A dirty tube disrupts the airflow turbulence, making high notes harder and the tone 'stuffy'. You must clean your weapon.
Oiling the Valves
Daily Ritual: Unscrew the top cap. Pull the valve halfway out. Apply 2-3 drops of oil on the gray metal part. Spin the valve to coat it evenly. Click it back into place.
Never oil a dry valve without wiping it first; otherwise, you just mix oil with dirt to make grinding paste.
Greasing the Slides
Your Main Tuning Slide and 3rd Valve Slide must move freely. If they are stuck, you cannot play in tune.
Wipe off the old, dirty grease with a paper towel. Apply a pea-sized amount of slide grease. Work one slide leg in at a time to spread it.
The Periodic Bath
Every 2 months, give your trumpet a bath. Fill a tub with lukewarm water (NOT HOT - hot water peels lacquer!) and mild dish soap. Take the trumpet apart (remove felts/valves). Let the body soak. Run a snake brush through all tubes. Rinse. Dry. Re-lube.
