Cleaning my first Trumpet

    
Cleaning my first Trumpet    07:32 on Thursday, November 8, 2012          

Axilleas
(1 point)
Posted by Axilleas

Hello,
I got my first trumpet, I read online that I will need to perfom some cleaning before I use it. I have here valve oil and brushes. I did find the normal videos on youtube.

I want to know, should I wash it? Should I clean the valve casing with the bruses>? Or just oil the valves and start playing?



Re: Cleaning my first Trumpet    15:07 on Tuesday, November 13, 2012          

belltrumpetplaye
r19

Well, generally, if it's new it should be clean already and ready to go (unless there is some circumstance that you are allergic to some part of the horn, but that's highly unlikely).

If you still want to clean it, take out all the components (valves, slides, everything) and wash them with lukewarm water and soap, and clean the chassis with a cleaning snake as well. If you want to go a step further, take out all the components and put them in 1 part CLR to 20+ part water (to ensure that all rust and calcium is gone, if there are any (highly unlikely)), and wash the chassis. After the cleaning process, oil the valves (DO NOT mix valve oils, or use multiple! Stick with one, for it will keep the valves in healthy condition and less junk build-up), lube the slides, and clean out the mouthpiece with a shorter snake.

Just keep in mind: it will take you time to adjust to a new trumpet, and vice versa. The valves will probably feel mushy because you're not used to the tightness of the casing, the resistance will fluctuate because of a new backbore, taper, and overall configuration, and tone will probably not settle in immediately (plus, fatigue comes faster). The trumpet will also have to get used to you because of your saliva and how the valve/valve casing/slides will react to it, and your embouchure greatly affects the desired outcome as well.

Of course, this all depends on the instrument (what brand/model trumpet do you have) and the quality of the manufacturing. Student trumpets are generally of lesser quality than high end instruments (like Blackburn or Calicchio, which take much less time to settle in and the musical product is so much better). Trumpet hygiene is universal (i.e. all trumpets should be cared for really well), but student trumpets need a bit more because of the lesser quality. So, you pretty much get what you paid for.

Sorry if I rambled off a little, but I hope this helps, and good luck with your music!!

belltrumpetplayer19


   




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