Tips and Guides for Parents
String Care and Maintenance
Tips for Beginning Band
Basic Instrument Care
A Warning About "Bargain" Instruments from Online Auctions
Basic Instrument Care
Your child can't learn if the horn won't work or the violin is out of adjustment. There are some basic matter of upkeep that your child must do. They're easy. Remind your young student regularly
Trumpets
Trumpet Valves must be clean and well oiled. Remove one valve at a time - rinse it off - wipe with a clean soft cloth and apply valve oil on the surface. Replace the valve. Remove the next valve and repeat the same process. Occasionally the mouthpiece may become stuck in the instrument. If it does not come out readily, take it to the music store to have it removed. NEVER attempt to remove it with pliers or other tools.
TromboneTrombone Slides must be carefully handled. The slide should be wiped clean every day or so and slide oil applied to the inner slide. This will assure smooth effortless slide action. Be sure the slide lock is engaged at all times when your child is not playing. A dent could put your child out action and the instrument in the repair shop. Occasionally the mouthpiece may become stuck in the instrument. If it does not come out readily, take it to the music store to have it removed. NEVER attempt to remove it with pliers or other tools.
The bore of the clarinet and the neck of the saxophone should be swabbed dry every day after playing the instrument. Wood Clarinets should be swabbed with a light application of bore oil after the moisture is swabbed clean.
Violin, Viola, Cello and BassThe Violin, Viola, Cello or Bass should be wiped clean of rosin and fingerprints each time following practice. Occasionally the instrument should be polished with a special stringed instrument polish available at your music store. Each time after use, the tension on the bow should be relaxed by loosening the screw at the frog end of the bow.
In GeneralSome instruments just won't play without reeds. Trumpet valves get sluggish without oil. Slides need oil, and stringed instruments need rosin for the bow. Buy these supplies promptly to assure daily participation in your child's class or lesson. The money saved by not equipping the student properly does not outweigh the frustration the child feels when his or her instrument doesn't work properly.