Stuck Slides: Trumpet Instrument Repair

Master Sgt. Dale Barton shows you how to free stuck slides, and the proper way to care for them so they stay unstuck.

The U.S. Army Field Band's Instrument Repair Series highlights how to care for and perform basic maintenance and repairs to your instrument. These fixes are intended to get you through difficult situations. Please consult a professional technician for proper guidance and advanced repairs.

Educational Activities Coordinator
The United States Army Field Band
4214 Field Band Drive
Suite 5330
Fort Meade, Maryland 20755-7055

#trumpet #musiced #armymusic

[JayAyers]

I actually knew this guy growing up.

Years later (and perhaps many miles apart), he's still helping me out getting my tuning slide unstuck.

[samuelpickands]

MSgt!


Thanks for taking the time to make this video! I used to play baritone horn, and my well intentioned sister bought a used trumpet for my niece and suddenly I was on triage duty two days before Christmas! Most of the stuff I was able to figure out just because the instruments have so much in common, but I'd never let my baritone horn go so far that the slides got stuck like this. Never would have thought of chapstick, either.


Thank you for your service!

[ArmyFieldBand]

Definitely see a qualified repair person to have it fixed.

[vigidriver]

I've used a hand towel and put it through the bend. I recommend you spread the towel along the inside of the curve and then with someone's help to hold the instrument, I would pull with constant force and small yanks until the slide pops loose. It's always worked for me in the 2 times I had to do this over 59 years of playing Brass Instruments. I learned not to let my slides get to that point of needing any kind of force; however, others are a different story. Sometimes younger players have to learn things the hard way. :-)

[ezekielproctor]

*Plays the trumpet*

"I'm a accordion player"

[FishingForLife]

I used valve oil to loosen the slide Up. worked Just fine

[Herodotus]

Thanks for the great advice.
A chemical cleaning helped get the rusty stuff off. Thanks to you and the chemical cleaning, I was able to restore a $1500 Getzen to almost new condition. The trumpet had cost $100 on ebay, and the cleaning and a stuck slide fixed cost $65. Pretty good and sounds very sweet! The Getzen models are completely hand made and hand snipped...and this one in particular had a very lovely tone. Continued....

[SuperXxMarcosxX]

Theres a hole in my wall from a flying slide

[josereyes]

Thank you!!!! I’m also an accordion player but I’d say you play trumpet very well!!!

[danielmadrid]

Thank you so much I had my tuning slide stuck since 6th grade and I finally fixed it thank you

[ArmyFieldBand]

Vaseline will do in a pinch. There are many commercial products available for lubricating tuning slides. Most professionals use a heavy to medium tuning slide grease on the tuning slide and second valve slide. The first and third valve slides need to move quickly so a lighter lubricant is used. If you don't have an appropriate lube for 1 & 3, sometimes you can use heavier grease and thin it by adding in some light oil. Experimentation will be your best guide here.

[silly.slimes]

Thank you for posting. I have such a problem with a trumpet valve. Your info video gives me more information and will be very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to post your video. Also I play the accordian, thanks again.

[AARForLife]

My trumpet slide has been stuck for atleast 2-3 years. Im in a high school band and have been wanting to get my slide unstuck. Thanks for this video I'm gonna have to try it at school tomorrow :)!!!

[ArmyFieldBand]

Our repair person has never tried CLP, although he did contact the manufacturer. The company's customer care rep told him CLP would be safe to use on musical instruments.

[combat__medic]

Thanks for your help MSG Barton! Former 7ID.

[TheGholiday]

Thanks MSG, never even considered using cork grease before. Considering I already have some on hand for my clarinet, I will start keeping some in my trumpet case.

[apostolosnoulas]

Penetrating oil is different from regular oil?

[PeterJaquesMusic]

i really like how practical and simple your videos are! i double on trumpet and clarinet, and this is the first time i heard someone recommend using cork grease as slide grease :)

question: aside from wd40, what is a decent penetrating oil? what do i look for?

[TheFunnyGuy-wckp]

Didn’t know I would be getting music advice from a soldier

[odcv]

Can you tell me what penetrating oil was used (oil in the bottle with the needle) besides WD-40? Thank You