How You Can Keep Ya Trumpet Clean Via a 'Shower'! ACB Mini-Lesson #58: Keep Them Clean!

Hey folks… I’m sitting here at home and probably like you don’t have access to my awesome professional ultrasonic cleaning machines or pro shop to get my horn serviced. Now it’s more important than ever to keep up some good maintenance plans for your instrument so I do hope you enjoy this quick low-fi video.

Thanks to my super wife for her help with the camera work on the first part! :)

0:36 Here are few basic rules for cleaning:
1. Secure your slides (otherwise they might fly out due to the pressure of the water).
2. Use lukewarm water with no soap
3. Scrub out your horn before with a “snake” or similar product (I use the HW Brass Saver for tpt it’s really good and soft on the horn’s interior).
4. After letting the water run through the horn with no valves depressed press each one individually to let the water fully circulate. I usually go valve 3, valve 2, valve 1, and then a combination of all the valves. Remember to keep those slides secured!
5. Flip the horn over, depress the valves, and LIGHTLY blow the excess water out of the bell. Then empty each slide and let air dry overnight on a soft towel
6. If you have excess debris in the horn in the morning repeat the process as needed

2:55 Here's how to re-lubricate the horn in the morning:
1. Put a small drop of valve oil on the threads so they don't seize up.
2. Oil the valves (a small drop on the spring) and put them back in the correct casing. Keeping your valves oiled can help them last longer. Synthetic works best!
3. Put slide grease on the ends of the tuning slide and second valve slide.
4. Remember to put some oil on your Amado keys if you have them!
5. Put a slide oil on the first and third valve slides.

Clean out your mouthpiece everyday and sanitize it every morning before your practice sessions!

Stay clean, stay safe, and have fun!


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[fendergk]

I love the blow-dry brass!! Fantastic to use each week in between full month bath sessions. I will use blow-dry and re-lube my slides with the fantastic Monster Slide grease and oil after. Amazing how well the blow dry brass works, been using it for years now! I choose to just give the trumpet a full warm bubble bath each month, and a full cleaning. Like new each time!!

[MichaelBxl]

I saw the interview of a guy saying that Dizzy asked him to run water from the bell before a concert. But I can not find the video anymore. Has someone seen it ?

[MichaelBxl]

Thank you for the video by the way ! I think people will wonder how often would you do that ? If you just use water and no soap ? Do you also rince the valves separately ? Take care, your videos are wonderful !

[thay_]

I always thought that springs may get damaged as they contact with water. Are you sure about the cleaning method you explained will not cause any problems about valves, springs?