How do you take care of a trumpet?

Answer 1

I had a nice Bach Trumpet for several years, they don't need a lot of maintenance. The main thing you can do to preserve it is to keep it in the case as much as possible so it doesn't get dented -- dents are death, or at least a major expense. next is good quality brass polish, preferably the kind made for brass instruments rather than doorknobs. There are cork pads on some of the spit valves, etc., which should be replaced periodically, and of course, you need to keep the spit blown out as much as possible. The only other main priority is the valves, keep them well-oiled at all times, do not let them rust, as I remember it is some kind of mineral oil --- specially made for brass instrument valves -- don't try to substitute something else to save money. If you're lucky enough to have a silver Bach, be sure to keep it polished with the right kind of polish. Sometime the little braces will come unbrazed and get loose, just take it to a qualified shop to have it repaired. A well made trumpet can last a lifetime, the only problem is, in order to ever be any good, you have to practice several hours a day, every day, for the rest of your life -- when you stop practicing for any length of time, you set yourself back for months. The trumpet is one of the most difficult instruments to master for that reason, the amount of daily effort that has to go into it. I used to be able to play a high C, but lost it very quickly. Now I play guitar, I can not play for weeks at a time and actually be as good or better than I was before. I hope you stick with it, it can be really a great skill to have.

Answer 2

• For gunk inside the leadpipe and tuning slide, remove all your slides and valves and place your trumpet inside a bathtub. Pass a snake* through the leadpipe and through the tuning slide separately a few times to remove deposits. Be extremely careful throughout this process, however, as it is very easy to damage the trumpet on the bottom of the bathtub or misplace/damage any of the slides and valves that you remove from the trumpet.
• For fingerprints and tarnish, you can use a polishing cloth (be sure to use the right kind for your finish, especially if you play a silver-plated horn!)
• Any local music store can give a trumpet an acid wash which is probably the most effective way of cleaning your horn, although some shops charge over $60 or $70 for this service.

*http://www.Google.com/products?hl=en&source=hp&q=trumpet%20snake&aql=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf

Answer 3

If this is actually your first time playing Trumpet, these care tips will make it easier. (Even though I'm a Tenor Sax player)

-You should always make sure your valves are well-oiled using valve oil.

-ALWAYS EMPTY YOUR SPIT VALVE BEFORE PLAYING!!! Or else your trumpet can't hit your targeted high notes.

-You have slides on your Trumpet. So the best oil for them is Trombone slide greese. (Oil.)

-NEVER over-oil(greese) your trumpet. moving your trumpet too fast will cause your slides to fly accross the room, and you will lose contorl of your fingerings.

- NEVER, EVER eat food before playing ANY instrument! (Not even if you are a percussionist!) You can cause a (very) nasty build-up in your Trumpet, and your Trumpet will have to go into shop to get fixed. (Music stores. EX: Port Huron Music, or Eastside Music Store.)

-But if a build-up does happen in your Trumpet, check for food, or empty your spit valve--- your Trumpet should gurgle when that happens, so EMPTY YOUR SPIT!

-If you don't want your Trumpet, (or any other instrument) in shop, try this: (Recomended for BRASS players only!) Soak your instrument in your bathtub, using luke-warm water, and soap. (No shampoo or body wash. JUST regular "Dial" hand-soap will do.) Place your instrument in the water, and let it soak for a half-an-hour.

-Check to make sure there is no food left in your Trumpet or ANY brass instrument. After you Re-assemble your instrument, just blow through it. So there is no left over water and soap.

(P.S. Don't put your mouth-peice in the bathtub. It costs at least $20 to get a new one. Clean your mouth-peice by hand.)

-ALWAYS make sure your mouth-peice (brass players) is not rusted, or a ring of acne (or zits) will form around you mouth, and you won't be able to play.

I really hope this helps. You should still listen to my advice even though I'm a Sax player. (Trust me, I know all about this.)

Answer 4

It is pretty simple.

First you need to detach any detachable piece, such as all the valves and any other removable piece. The easiest method of cleaning your trumpet inside out is by laying it on top of a towel in a bath tub. Fill the tub with warm water with some detergent or cleaning lubricant. Do not clean fingering valves. To dry the trumpet, leave the trumpet on a dry towel overnight.

Answer 5

you basiclt give it some oil that you can get from most music stores