How do you get Trumpet Valves unstuck?

Answer 1

It never fails...

just when you've got your clothes all cleaned and pressed. Just when you've finally figured out the intricacies of your solo and you're starting to feel comfortable with the music...you pick up your instrument, put the mouthpiece to your lips and find....

a stuck valve.

Dangnabitall! Why? Why, why, why?!?!? Why now? Why you? Why....

Now that you've expressed your frustration (in terms that are probably a bit more colorful than those expressed here) and you've pulled the valve out only to have it stick again. And again. And again....take a deep breath. All is not lost.

Start simple

Hopefully you've still got a little while before you have to stand in front of the grateful masses (or your band director) and blow. So let's start from the bottom and work our way up.

When was the last time you oiled your valves? Or is it possible you've oiled them too much? Too much can be just as bad as not enough because eventually the oil gets sticky and then the valves don't want to work. And so you add more oil....see the cycle starting?

When it comes to oiling your valves, remember that a little bit goes a long way. Just a drop or two usually does the trick.

Okay...so oiling them didn't work.

You might want to try a good cleaning...remove all the valves (remember which came from what chamber), wipe them down with a lint-free cloth, remove the corks and the felts and wash them in warm...not hot...water. A little shampoo (very little) might help to cut the oil residue. Then shake them out firmly and set them to dry. Don't try to oil and install them again until they're thoroughly dry.

Meanwhile, wash the rest of the instrument by carefully removing the slides (again, remember where each came from) and submerging in a warm, slightly soapy (again, mild shampoo) tub of water. A bathtub works fine. Snake the instrument and the slide and then rinse thoroughly. Again, wipe with a lint-free cloth and make sure the instrument is thoroughly dry before re-assembling it.

Once it's dry, oil your valves (again...remember a little goes a long way), grease the slides, put it back together and cross your fingers.

Please edit to this answer, as I feel it is very nessisary since the asker of the question, ironically, answered it.

Answer 2

Asuming your baritone has the same basic valves as most valve instraments, Fixing it should be relatively easy. If you yourself can't unscrew it , try to get someone else to try. Try unscrewing both the top and bottom of the valve as well, as only one of them may be stuck. From my experience, once you have succsessfully unscrewed it, and regually keep screwing und unscrewing it, it should not get stuck so easily. If none of these things helped I am sorry.