As the marching season comes to a close, many instruments will be put away until Summer Band Camp. If you are indeed going to put your instrument up for an extended period of time, here are some helpful tips to aid you along the way:
Woodwinds:
- Make sure the case is dry.
- Wipe off any excess cork grease or dirt from tenons.
- Oil all key mechanisms.
- Remove any fingerprints, excess oil, or grime from body of the instrument.
- Do not store anything else in the case, even papers!
Brass:
- Remove valves from casings and clean thoroughly to ensure all valve oil has been removed. Also clean valve casings and then replace the valves DRY into the casings.
- Remove slides from instrument and liberally apply slide grease. Return slides to proper position but leave a small 1/4 to 1/2 inch gap between the body and slide. This small space will assist a player or technician to remove the slide once it returns to daily use.
- Make sure the case is dry.
- Do not store anything else in the case, even papers!
If you have any questions about your specific instrument and how to best store it, do not hesitate to contact us at the repair shop!