All brass instruments require cleaning to produce the proper sounds and proper pitch for each instrument. There are two reasons that all brass instruments need to be cleaned. The first is small particles can get caught into the mouthpiece that effects the quality of the sounds produced by the instrument. These particles can also get caught in the valves of the instrument causing them to stick and corrode. Without regular cleaning these particles and the corrosion they cause can damage the instrument. The second reason all brass instruments need to be cleaned is more important than the first.
Bacteria accumulate in the brass instruments from the musician’s normal saliva as they play the instrument. If the bacteria are not cleaned the bacteria can produce mold spores that will be expelled from the instrument. An improperly cleaned brass instrument can become a health risk not only to the musician but to anyone who is exposed to the mold spores as they are blown through the instrument. Therefore properly cleaning of brass instruments is a necessity. Brass instruments such as trumpets, trombones and tubas need to be flushed with luke-warm water with antibacterial dish soap. This protects the brass instrument from becoming a source for bacterial growth and being a health hazard.
What are the tools required for properly cleaning your brass instrument? The tools needed to properly clean your brass instrument are a mouthpiece brush, a snake, soft polishing clothes, valve oil, and polishing grease. The mouthpiece brush is designed to clean the particles that accumulate in and on the mouth piece itself. The snake is a flexible wire much like a plumber’s snake that is used to move through the small curved openings of the brass instrument. The snake allows the cleaning cloth to be pulled through the instrument cleaning any clogs build up in the bowls of the instrument. The regular use of the valve oil prevents the valves from sticking and damage to the valve mechanisms. The valves on each brass instrument need maintaining on a regular basis. Finally the use of brass polish is used to clean the exterior of the brass instrument. This protects the discoloration of the brass over time as well as making the presentation of the instrument a pleasure to the audience and anyone who admires brass instruments.
Following these cleaning steps for cleaning brass instruments will enhance the life and the quality of the instrument. Remember a clean brass instrument will produce clean and sharp notes when played.
