The Care of Instruments is very important to playing successfully.  

This page if for wind and brass instruments. 

Care of Instruments

  

Flute
Always open with case on the floor.
Assemble in the manner shown by your teacher to avoid damage.
The body of the flute is very fragile, take care not to damage it or bend the keys.
Swab the flute after each use, this will help the pads last longer.
DO NOT oil the keys unless instructed to do so by your teacher.
Flutes can be damaged by too much moisture, do not wash instrument.
Clean only in the manner described by your teacher.
To keep it working properly, it must be played each day.
Keep the connecting joints wiped off to maintain easy assembly
Use only a polish cloth that is made for flutes.
Do not use any kind of abrasive silver polish
Do not try to repair your instrument.

  

Clarinet
Always open with case on the floor.
Assemble in the manner shown by your teacher to avoid damage.
The reed and mouthpiece tips are very fragile, take care not to break them.
Swab the clarinet after each use.
DO NOT oil the keys unless instructed to do so by your teacher.
Clarinets can be damaged by too much moisture, do not wash instrument.
Clean only in the manner described by your teacher.
To keep it working properly, it must be played each day.
Keep the corks greased regularly to avoid drying out and breaking.
Keep 2 or 3 reeds "broken in" and rotate your practice time between them
Care should be taken not to bend the bridge key when assembling.
Do not try to repair your instrument.

 

Saxophone
Always open with case on the floor
Assemble in the manner shown by your teacher to avoid damage.
The reed and mouthpiece tips are very fragile, take care not to break them.
Swab the instrument with a saxophone swab after each usage.
DO NOT oil the keys unless instructed to do so by your teacher.
Clean only in the manner described by your teacher.
To keep it working properly, it must be played each day.
Keep the cork greased regularly to avoid drying out and breaking.
Keep 2 or 3 reeds "broken in" and rotate your practice time between them
Care should be taken not to bend the keys when assembling
Do not try to repair your instrument.
 

 

Trumpet
Always open with case on the floor.
Assemble in the manner shown by your teacher to avoid damage.
The body of the  trumpet is very fragile, take care not to damage it.
Put the mouthpiece in with a slight twist.  Untwist to remove.
DO NOT pound on the top of the mouthpiece, it will get stuck.
Do not try to remove a stuck mouthpiece, your teacher has a special tool for this purpose.
Clean only in the manner described by your teacher.
Keep the valves oiled in manner prescribed by your teacher.
Do not take out the valves unless instructed to do so by your teacher.
Do not lay the trumpet down on the 2nd valve slide.
Do not keep anything in your case on top of your trumpet, it will damage the valves.
To keep it working properly, it must be played each day.
Keep the tuning slide lubricated with tuning slide grease only.
Do not use any kind of metal polish.
Do not try to repair instrument yourself.
Do not force your case closed, it should close easily if the instrument is inserted properly..

 

Trombone
Always open with case o the floor.  Assemble in the manner shown by your teacher to avoid damage.
The slide of the trombone is very fragile, take care not to damage it.
The most common causes of dents in the slide are from the bell hitting it during assembly.
Put the mouthpiece in with a slight twist.  Untwist to remove. DO NOT pound on the tope of the mouthpiece, it will get stuck.
Do not try to remove a stuck mouthpiece, your teacher has a special tool for this purpose.
Clean only in the manner described by your teacher.
Do not disassemble the slide unless instructed to do so by your teacher.
Keep your practice area clear of obstacles, you don't want to bang your slide.
Do not keep anything in your case on top of your trombone, it may damage it.
Do not force your case closed, it should close easily if the instrument is inserted properly.
To keep it working properly, it must be played each day
Keep the tuning slide lubricated only with tuning slide grease.
Use only a polishing cloth that is made for the trombone.
Do not use any kind of metal polish.
Do not try to repair your instrument yourself.