Category Archives: Instrument Maintenance
Instrument Driving…
This sounds obvious but please please don’t keep your instrument in the boot whilst driving, if you get hit (even when parked), it will cause significant damage and I know of instruments needing overhaul services because of this. Put your … Continue reading
Trumpet/Cornet Maintenance – sticky valves…
The most common problem on the trumpet and cornet in terms of maintenance is sticky valves. With sticky valves it simply won’t play as well as it should. The trick is to get some valve oil and screw off the … Continue reading
Metal instruments – maintenance after a fall…
Instruments do fall over occasionally – and sometimes even from a great height it looks like there is no damage. However please let me inspect it and check it is fine. An inspection cost is only £10 in which I … Continue reading
Sticky Pads? – Flute, Clarinet & Saxophone
Sticky pads can be a sure sign that your instrument needs a standard service soon (annually), however it could happen to be that only one pad seems to stick and the others are great. If this happens – place a … Continue reading
Instrument Cleaning…
A mention in this category must go to the outside cleaning of an instrument. Yes, all instruments will end up with their laquer off and looking 50 years old – however at the start of their lives al instruments should … Continue reading
Saxophone/Clarinet Maintenance – Reeds…
Just another quick note about putting instruments away – always take the reed off and dry it then put it away. Never leave a reed on a mouthpiece as it will warp the reed and cause it to make playing … Continue reading
Saxophone/Clarinet Mouthpiece Maintenance
After playing take your mouthpiece of the cork tenon and put it away in the little pocket provided in your instrument case. This prevents too much moisture building up and staying in the mouthpiece, which will affect future playing and … Continue reading
Wrote off instruments…
Hi everyone, just a quick note to remind all that instruments really are fragile. Ive just had an instrument come back that is so badly damaged it is not worth repairing compared to the price it was new! My first … Continue reading
