Instrument Care and Maintenance 

(check the videos in Blackboard Class Content)

Flute

1. Swab your flute with a lint free cloth and cleaning rod daily.
2. Wipe your flute with a lint free cloth weekly.
3. NEVER rinse or wash/clean with soap or any other product

Oboe

1. Soak your reed for a few minutes before playing.
2. Always have an extra reed in your case. (Medium Soft work well)
3. Swab your oboe after playing  - remove your reed - drop the weight through the bell and then swiftly pull the swab through.
4. Wipe your keys with a lint free cloth.
5. DO NOT touch the tip of the reed - it is very fragile  (and expensive)

Clarinet

1. Swab your clarinet daily after playing -remove your reed and mouthpiece - drop the weight through the bell and then swiftly pull the swab through.
2. Wipe the inside and outside of your mouthpiece daily. Clean the mouthpiece with warm water & soap weekly.
3. Always have at least 3 extra reeds in your case at all times.
4. Reeds that are a #2 1/2 thickness are the best.
5. Avoid touching the thin part of the reed - it is fragile.
6. Wipe your keys with a lint free cloth.

Saxophone

1. Swab your saxophone daily after playing - remove your reed and mouthpiece - drop the weight through the bell and then swiftly pull the swab through.
2. Also remove the water from your neck of the saxophone daily
3. Always remove the neck strap before placing your instrument in the case
4. Wipe the inside and outside of your moutpiece daily. Clean the mouthpiece with warm water & soap weekly.
5. Always have at least 3 extra reeds in your case at all times.
6. Reeds that are a #2 1/2 thickness are best.
7. Avoid touching the thin part of the reed - it is fragile.
8. Wipe your keys with a lint free cloth.

Trumpet

1. Empty the water keys on your trumpet daily before putting it away
2. Wash the mouthpiece once a week with warm water & soap
3. Oil valves at least weekly or more often as needed
4. If your mouthpiece gets stuck, please bring it to Mr. Klicker at school or to your vendor for help - we have special tools to safely remove the mouthpiece
5. Wipe the outside of your trumpet with a dry, clean, soft cloth.

French Horn

1. Empty the water from your horn daily before putting it away by removing the mouthpiece and turning it left (as you look at the back of the horn) a few times.
2. Wash the mouthpiece once a week with warm water & soap
3. Oil valves at least weekly or more often as needed
4. If your mouthpiece gets stuck, please bring it to Mr. Klicker at school or to your vendor for help - we have special tools to safely remove the mouthpiece
5. Wipe the outside of your horn with a dry, clean, soft cloth.

Baritone 

1. Empty the water keys on your baritone daily before putting it away
2. Wash the mouthpiece once a week with warm water & soap
3. Oil valves at least weekly or more often as needed
4. If your mouthpiece gets stuck, please bring it to Mr. Klicker at school or to your vendor for help - we have special tools to safely remove the mouthpiece
5. Wipe the outside of your Baritone with a dry, clean, soft cloth.

Trombone

1. Empty the water key on your trombone daily before putting it away
2. Wash the mouthpiece once a week with warm water & soap
3. Oil the slide at least once a week or more often as needed - the "Slide-O-Mix" with the black lid works best
4. If your mouthpiece gets stuck, please bring it to Mr. Klicker at school or to your vendor for help - we have special tools to safely remove the mouthpiece
5. Wipe the outside of your trombone with a dry, clean, soft cloth.

Percussion

1. When assembling your kit, only finger tighten the stands - righty tighty, lefty loosy!
2. Inspect your kit occasionally to be sure all screws, lugs, etc. are secured
3. Never leave your sticks and mallets on the ground