TRUMPET CLEANING
 
 
 
Trumpet Diagram
 
 
Congratulations on purchasing your first trumpet!  A good quality instrument can last a lifetime - if it is well maintained.  This includes regular check-ups at the Senseney Music Repair Center and a regular home cleaning routine.
 
How do I clean my trumpet?
 
This is a critical questions since improper cleaning can damage your instrument.  If you follow these instructions carefully you should have no problems.
 
Tools:  (The first four of these are contained in the Senseney Music trumpet care kit.)
 
- Snake - long, flexible, metal tube with a small brush on each end
- Mouthpiece brush - Small tapered brush
- Valve casing brush - Larger brush with little or no taper
- Valve oil and slide grease
- Rag - Should be soft and absorbant (a clean cloth diaper works well)
- Mild dish detergent (without lotion or softeners for the hands)
 
The most delicate parts of your trumpet are the valves.  They are made very precisely and any scratch, dent or defect in either the valve or the casing that holds the valve can cause damage that will require expensive repairs.  Proper oiling and handling can keep away costly repairs.
 
Daily Care: Lubrication
 
Oiling each valve daily is necessary for proper valve function.
Remove the valve and wipe it clean with a soft, lint free cloth.
 
Drip oil around the top of the piston just below the slotted barrel containingthe spring and allow it to run to the bottom coating the entire valve.
 
Replace the valve being sure to line up the valve guides.  The valve will lock into place if it is lined up correctly.  Check this by turning the finger button until the valve will not move.
 
Using too much oil will not damage the instrument but too little oil can cause it to become slow.
 
Grease the slides when they become hard to move or dry.
 
Remove the slide and wipe it clean with a soft cloth.
 
Apply a small amount of grease to the slide and spread it around the area that will enter into the instrument.
 
Using too much grease will make the instrument collect dirt on the outside and can gum up in the valves.
 
Bathing - It is essential to bathe your trumpet about once a month.
 
First you must disassemble the trumpet.  Remove the valves, slides and bottom caps from the trumpet and place them carefully on a soft cloth or towel.
 
Put a towel in the bottom of your bathtub to prevent scratching and fill the tub with about 2 inches of luke warm water and a drop of plain dish soap (without additives like lotion or softeners.)  Place the trumpet body, slides and bottom caps into the water.  NOTE:  Do not submerge the valves in the water because they have felts and corks that should not become wet.
 
Wash the bottom piston section of the valves in the water but do not submerge them.
 
Run the snake through the smaller tubing to scrub it clean.  Do not force the snake around curves or deep into the tubing or the snake may become lodged or break off inside the trumpet.  The valve casings can be cleaned with the casing brush.  The mouthpiece should be cleaned with the small tapered mouthpiece brush.
 
When you have brushed all the tubing you must thoroughly rinse the trumpet, slides, valves, mouthpiece and brushes.  Then repeat the cleaning process in clear, unsoapy water and rinse again.
 
Allow the trumpet to air dry.  When it is completely dry apply grease and oil and carefully reassemble the trumpet.
 
Mouthpieces should be cleaned more often to avoid buildup.
 
 
Home Repairs
 
Do not try to repair an instrument yourself.  This is a fragile, expensive instrument and can easily be damaged even by well meaning hands.  If your instrument is not working properly, bring it to the Senseney Music Repair Center as soon as possible.  (This includes trying to remove a stuck mouthpiece!)
 
Repairs done by anyone but the Senseney Music Repair Center will void any maintenance agreement connected to that instrument.