Flute

-Make sure to carefully clean the inside of your flute after each time you play, using your cleaning rod and a soft lint-free cloth.  This well increase the life of the pads, as well as keep the keys from sticking.

-Wipe down the keys with a clean soft lint-free cloth to keep them clean and shiny.

-Do not clean any part of your flute with soap and/or water.

Oboe

-Soak your reed in water for at least 3 minutes before you play.  Blow out any excess water before you put it in your oboe.

-Always have at least one extra reed on hand.  Rotate your reeds so they will last longer. Both 4th and 5th graders should use Medium-Soft reeds.

-Do not touch the tip of your reed.  It will break.

-Make sure to carefully swab the inside of your oboe each time after you play.

-Wipe down the keys with a clean soft lint-free cloth to keep them clean and shiny.

Clarinet

-Only handle the reed by the shiny part at the bottom.  Do not touch the tip of the reed.  It will break.  Always have three or four reeds on hand.  Rotate your reeds so they last longer.  4th graders should use #2 reeds and 5th graders should use #2 1/2 reeds.

-Make sure to carefully swab the inside of your clarinet each time after you play.   Run the swab down through the barrel at the top down through to the bell.  Run it through twice.

-Keep your mouthpiece clean.  Clean it at least once a week with warm water and soap to keep it clean and sanitary.

-Wipe down the keys with a clean soft lint-free cloth to keep them clean and shiny.

Alto Saxophone

-Only handle the reed by the shiny part at the bottom.  Do not touch the tip of the reed.  It will break.  Always have three or four reeds on hand.  Rotate your reeds so they last longer.  4th graders should use #2 reeds and 5th graders should use #2 1/2 reeds.

-When you take the neck off after you're done playing, shake out the excess moisture before you put it away in your case.

-Make sure to carefully swab the inside of your saxophone each time after you play.   Run the swab down through the top at the top down through to the bell.  Run it through twice.

-Keep your mouthpiece clean.  Clean it at least once a week with warm water and soap to keep it clean and sanitary.

-Wipe down the keys with a clean soft lint-free cloth to keep them clean and shiny.