How Often do You Clean Your Trumpet?

tknowlton

I don't think to clean my horn very often - maybe twice a year. This got me to thinking...how often do trumpeters, in general, clean their instrument(s)?

silverstar · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 3:59 am Post subject:

I clean my horn once a month or when I remember to. Actually, since I got my Xeno in December, I don't think I"ve cleaned it completely yet...

Oh well, I used to clean it when I was having problems playing something. I would blame my bad playing on my dirty horn rather than my poor practice habits...

Lara

_________________
I <3 my Bb Eclipse MR!!
If, when the going gets tough the tough get going, does that mean when the tough get going the going gets tough?

trumpetmike · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 4:45 am Post subject:

Lara - you had better hope that Leigh doesn't read that post - he might not let you leave with your new trumpet if you are not going to look after it

blasticore · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 4:51 am Post subject:

I said I did it on a weekly basis. I usually clean the leadpipe and tuning slide once a week, but all the other parts tend to take me a month to clean out. As far as aesthetics go though, I don't remember the last time I polished my horn.
_________________
Chris King
Hermit, freelance musician, etc.
http://www.cktrumpet.com

plp · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 5:05 am Post subject:

I try to do mine one a month, although the collectables just get a swab after I finish playing and a good wipedown. The new ebay purchases (well, most of them) get a soup to nuts going over when they first come in, and get springs, felts, and corks replaced. I keep a lead shot on a string and some cotton patches in my case, and run it through the main players about once a week to keep the buildup to a minimum. I also hit the mouthwash right before I practice, to keep any small particles from getting in to begin with.

thedevilisbad · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 5:44 am Post subject:

Whenever I remember to.

I wash and polish mine before a big concert of band festival or something important.

Or when it starts to smell bad.
_________________
Do or do not, there is no try.

David Koch Custom 1958 Olds Ambassador
1951 Conn 80A
A lot of other crap.

thedevilisbad · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 5:47 am Post subject:

Blue ball sirenges work good for cleaning out your mouthpiece and lead pipe.
_________________
Do or do not, there is no try.

David Koch Custom 1958 Olds Ambassador
1951 Conn 80A
A lot of other crap.

trumpetplayer87 · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 11:26 am Post subject:

I went to get a silver polishing cloth at walmart and they were out; I went back a few weeks and they were still out. I guess I have to find an old one kicking around my room.

Bonnie
_________________
"Yet to all who received Him, and believed in His name, He gave the right to become sons of God" John

Sounds: http://www.sitesled.com/members/bonniej
_________________________________

blasticore · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 11:43 am Post subject:

blasticore · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 11:45 am Post subject:

The King of Swing · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 12:51 pm Post subject:

Hardly Ever.

ustacouldplay · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 3:13 pm Post subject:

I don't really clean mine. But in the "marching" band that I play in, I drink malt liquor during rehearsals. (We don't practice marching!) So I blow water through the horn when I get home...if I'm not too inebriated.
_________________
John Ford's next stop:

bandman322 · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 3:56 pm Post subject:

I clean my horn when I feel I need to clean it.

If the valves are smooth and the blow is free. The slides move easy and the horn looks decent, I say leave it alone. On the other hand, right after I clean it I often find something that needs to be cleaned again, so I end up cleaning it twice in one week. A loose piece of dirt can play havoc with good valves, so I do it as needed.
_________________
C - Harrelson 750 Modified Bach Strad
Picc - Schilke P5-4
Flugel - Kanstul ZKF1525
Bb - Bach Strad 180ML-37

"To be a teacher you need to be as good a performer as you can be: you'll have more to impart to your students musically." - John Haynie

silverstar · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 5:21 pm Post subject:

Wispy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 527

I polish as needed and before important playings. As far as cleaning im a lazy bum. My marching band horn hasnt been cleaned in a good 5 years, but my xeno i try to keep the valves cleaned every few months did a full cleaning once in the year ive owned it.. I was gona clean it again today, but im unsure what to clean it with. For further details go to the horn forum and read the polish help topic

________
How To Roll A Joint

TptPlayer88 · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 8:42 pm Post subject:

I try to clean my Xeno about every month, if i remember. That thing is m baby. When you're 16 and spending that kind of cash, you learn to treat the horn really, really well. Maybe i'm just anal, i don't know. I give it a nice bath in warm water and spend i a good 45 minutes to an hour. Just getting junk out and cleaning the valves. And of coarse giving the body a nice clean. And i'll give it a polishing and the end of the school year so it's ready for the next one.
_________________
Horns:
Bb: '75 Custom Bach Strad 37 w/ 43 pipe
C: '85 Yamaha 6445HS
Mouthpiece: 3C

tknowlton · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 9:47 pm Post subject:

I once was at a jazz clinic done by Bill Watrous, the trombonist. He said he took the trombone in the shower with him everyday. hmmmmm...

I guess you could do that with the trumpet if you don't have valves with felt or water sensitive parts. It does seem a little strange though. But I guess you could do a little practicing while you are standing there.

_________________
I like traffic lights, but only when they are green.
- Monty Python

trumpetplayer87 · Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2005 1:18 pm Post subject:

bach_again · Heavyweight Member Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 1127

i clean the valves each week or 2, and immerse and dis-assemble every month. occasionally polish it.
_________________
www.michaelbarkley.com

www.brassmusician.com

“Everything is possible for him who believes.”
Mark 9:23