How to clean a copper instrument?

If you rely on your instrument to make a living, be aware that a brass instrument requires ongoing maintenance. Owning a brass instrument can be a mark of care, as keeping the instrument clean is important to maintaining the best possible sound quality, and avoiding costly replacement of parts due to corrosion.

L’brass instrument is composed of copper and zinc which can corrode over time due to exposure to oxygen and humidity. Oil and dirt from your hands can also damage the instrument’s coating. You can do partial cleaning immediately after playing, and full cleaning from time to time.

How to clean your copper instruments?

The following steps let you know how to care for your brass instrument.

Equipment needed for cleaning

Before you start cleaning, make sure you have the following equipment: polishing cloth, drying cloth, valve oil, slide, slide grease or unscented petroleum jelly, mouthpiece brush, snake brush, trumpet-valve brush, cloth napkins.

Disassemble the instrument

Remove all valves from the instrument, pull all slides, and remove the bottoms from the valve caps. Label each slide with paper if necessary, to avoid confusion when it comes time to put them back together. Set aside all felt or fabric from the valve, to avoid getting it wet, as this can lead to mold growth.

Dip in lukewarm water

Fill a container with lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild soap. Leave to soak for 20 to 30 minutes then clean the valves by hand. Valves should be inspected to prevent corrosion or damage. Once clean, set them aside. Remember, the valve number is set on the brass near the spring. The valves must be put back inside the valve and in order.

Scrub with a brush

Using the snake brush and the valve brush, scrub the inside of all the tubes then run water through the different tubes and repeat until it comes out clean.

Rinse thoroughly

Rinse the instrument with plenty of water. If possible, attach a hose to your sink and run water at high pressure, through each open slide receiver. Remove the instrument from the bath and using a clean towel, dry all parts. Be sure to rotate the instrument several times, to be sure that the water has been completely dried from the tube, but especially from the horns and baritones.

Apply grease

Apply a thin layer of blade grease to the individual blades and reassemble them into the body of the instrument. Avoid applying grease excessively, as well as placing it on valve openings. Next, apply oil to the piston valves and reassemble them in order.

Polish the instrument

Using a polishing cloth, polish your instrument once it is dry. This will remove any water stains you may have missed.

Test the instrument

After you have reassembled all the parts of your instrument, play it to test. The trumpets will not be playable if the valves have been reassembled in the wrong order, or if they are not aligned in the valve bodies.

Conclusion

If you clean your instrument every month, you will be able to use it much longer and at its best performance. If you don’t maintain your instrument properly, waste begins to build up inside, causing metal to corrode, valves and slides to stick. And that just makes your instrument harder to play.

Cleaning and maintenance are then important steps. It’s not difficult to do, it doesn’t take a lot of time, so it’s within everyone’s reach, you might as well take advantage of it, and make your music instrument !