Alto Saxophone Viola Trombone Violin Trumpet Clarinet Cello
Flute Pocket Trumpet Soprano Saxophone

Trumpet Maintenance Guide

This information is to be used as a guide only. Data is approximate. For best results, you should consult with the instructor before purchasing.

Trumpet Maintenance Guide

It is important to disassemble and thoroughly clean the instrument after playing, and especially prior to placing it in its case for storage between playing sessions.
Follow the routine below to ensure that the instrument is kept in peak condition:
  • Remove any dirt, perspiration and finger marks from the surface of the instrument by the gentle use of a cleaning cloth (provided).
  • The tuning slides should be carefully removed and the inside of the instrument and slides cleaned and dried with an appropriate cleaning brush/cloth. Replace the slides with care in the correct positions.
  • The valve pistons, located within the valve casings, should occasionally also be removed, checked and if necessary, cleaned and thoroughly dried. The casings should also be cleaned and the valves re-oiled.
  • Valve pistons and casings are NOT interchangeable. Always remove and replace one at a time.
  • To remove a valve, unscrew the valve cap at the top of the valve casing. Carefully remove the valve piston, clean and dry with a lint free cloth. Re-oil the valve piston and replace this into the valve casing ensuring that the valve piston guide mates with the detent in the valve casing. To align the valve piston, depress the valve button fully, rotate the valve button clockwise/anti clockwise until the piston clicks into place. Release the valve button and replace the valve cap, screwing it back into position. Do not over tighten the valve cap.
  • Regular oiling of the valve pistons is fundamental to the smooth operation, maintenance and playing of the instrument.
  • Valve oil (provided) should be applied (sparingly) to each valve in turn. To apply valve oil, follow the procedure for cleaning and maintenance of the valve piston as described above. It is necessary only to expose the barrel of the valve piston and sparingly apply sufficient valve oil to ensure adequate lubrication.
  • Valve oil should also be used (sparingly) on the tuning slides and water key(s) hinge.
  • Water accumulates within the instrument during playing. To prolong the life and playing action of your instrument, this water must be regularly expelled. To do this, angle the bell of the instrument towards the ground, hold open the water keys and blow through the instrument to expel excess water.
  • Occasionally, water will remain in the instrument, and can be expelled, during routine maintenance, by carefully removing the tuning slides, and draining excess residual moisture.
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