Silver Trumpet Cleaning Kit
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As a band director, I've come to realize that most trumpet players don't clean their instruments often enough. I've actually seen trumpets that were almost totally clogged with crud. That is the "technical term" for the greenish, grayish, brownish sludge that forms inside an instrument over time. If it's been awhile since you cleaned your trumpet, prepare yourself for what will come out of it, but your trumpet will play better after it's clean.
Trumpets are fairly simple things. They are basically just 4 1/2 feet of brass tubing with valves and slides. It's the careful manufacturing and hand work that make it into a trumpet that plays well. A well-care-for trumpet of good quality will last minimally 10-20 years with a lot of playing. A trumpet cared for poorly will be trash in a short time.
Although this article makes it sound like cleaning a trumpet is a long and involved process, once you have done it a couple times, it will only take you 15-20 minutes to complete, and it will make your instrument last much longer.
Unlike woodwind instruments (flutes, clarinets, saxophones, etc.), trumpets can be given baths to clean them. In fact, it's the only good way to truly clean them. You could take them to a music repair shop for an "acid bath", but that's really not necessary if given baths once a month or so. Once you get accumulation of minerals in the horn, it will take an acid bath to remove them, but if you give the horn a bath often, your trumpet usually won't get mineral deposits.
You'll need a flexible cleaning brush or a cleaning snake, a valve casing brush, and a mouthpiece brush. You'll also need silver polish or a silver polishing cloth if it's silver plated, valve oil, and slide grease. I have always used liquid dishwashing soap in lukewarm water to clean my trumpets, but some manufacturers don't recommend the soap. Check with your product information or your manufacturer's website to make sure before you use it.
You'll also need a high-quality valve oil and slide grease if you want to make your trumpet last. Just like a car, the valves of a trumpet need a film of oil on them to work well. I've become sort of fanatical about how my trumpet valves work. I've tried just about every available brand of oil on the market, and I've decided that synthetic oils are the only oils to use. They last longer, and they minimize wear on the valves.
You also need a heavy grease for the main tuning slide and second valve slide. If you don't grease these slides, they will wear, and you'll start to see your slide moving when you least expect it throwing you out of tune...usually at the most inopportune times. They can also stick badly enough that it requires a trip to the repair shop to pull them. If you use a heavy grease, it will last until your next cleaning.
First, fill a bathtub with enough lukewarm water to cover the instrument. Hot water can damage the finish, so it's best avoided. Disassemble all of the instrument, but don't remove the water keys (spit valves), remove any triggers if so equipped, or disassemble the valves. If you have a trigger on the first or third valve slides, you'll need to remove the screw that hold the slide on, but don't remove any of the other parts of the trigger. Trust me, you don't want to try to put a trigger or water key spring back on without the necessary tool.
After it's disassembled, place all of the parts except the valves into the lukewarm water, and let them soak for a few minutes. After the soaking, run the snake through all of the tubing. Don't force it through any of the tight bends. Just go as far as you can. Then scrub the inside of the valve casings with the valve casing brush. After that, run clean water through all the tubing until the water runs clear.
Next, using a soft cloth clean between all the outer tubing to remove any dirt or tarnish. You might need to use silver polish to remove the tarnish on a silver trumpet. Never use silver or brass polish on the outside of a lacquered or "brass" looking trumpet. There is a clear lacquer protecting the finish, and polish can remove it. Next clean the inside of the bottom valve caps with a paper towel. A lot of the crud settles in these caps.
After all the tubing on the horn is clean, and the outer surface of the trumpet is clean, it's time to pay attention to the valves. I use one end of the cleaning snake to clean the ports of the valves, and rinse them off with soap and water. Be careful inside the ports, You don't want to damage the metal with the end of the brush.
After all that, it's time to reassemble the horn, oil the valves and 1st and 3rd valve slides, and grease the main tuning slide and second valve slide. No, grease does not belong on the third valve slide. it will move too slowly. Oil is all you need. I know that seems like a long process, but it actually takes longer to type it than to do it, and your horn will last longer and play better afterward.
Harry Richardson has been a band director for 14 years with college degrees in trumpet performance and music education. For more information on selecting and purchasing trumpets and accessories, please visit http://www.trumpetfinder.com
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REKA Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn Cleaning Kit $19.99 REKA Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn Cleaning Kit |
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Allora Deluxe Trumpet Maintenance Kit Silver Kit $29.99 Allora Deluxe Trumpet Maintenance Kit Silver Kit |
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Allora Deluxe Trumpet Maintenance Kit Lacqer Kit $29.99 Designed for the advancing player, this kit offers quality materials for keeping your trumpet in optimum working condition. This collection includes high grade valve oil, tuning slide grease and many other items comes in an attractive black, drawstring bag that is easy to transport and perfect for the stage. (please specify: lacquer cleaning kit 901 or silver cleaning kit 902)Velcro leather valve guardRubber mouthpiece pouchTuning slide grease - jarSilver or lacquer polish clothValve oilCoated snakeValve casing brushMouthpiece brushInstructions |
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Woodwind & Brasswind Trumpet or Cornet Student Care Kit Silver Kit $15.99 Woodwind & Brasswind Trumpet or Cornet Student Care Kit Silver Kit |
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Selmer Trumpet Cleaning Rod $2.99 Selmer Trumpet Cleaning Rod |
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Reka Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn Cleaning Kit $19.99 REKA PRODUCTS REKA makes everything you need to keep your instrument in perfect playing condition. With brass instruments, regular and thorough inner cleaning is a must. Residues enter the instrument during playing. With time, they alter the dimensions of the air passages, which disturbs the playing qualities, and they chemically attack the inside of the tubing, eating at the metal over time. These residues also influence the flow of air through the instrument and even affect how the metal vibrates. With the materials available until now, properly cleaning the INSIDE of a brass instrument has not been possible. The ancient method of soaking the instrument in water and shaking and turning it to loosen built-up residues is time-consuming and quite ineffective. With REKA Cleaning Sets, you have the perfectly suited materials to make it fast, easy, and comfortable to care for any brass instrument properly, thus retaining optimal playing qualities and maximizing longevity. Each Cleaning Set includes four parts, of which the most important is the sponge rubber swab. This tool is matched to a trumpet bore and is pulled easily through every tube and crook for effective removal of all foreign substances. Cleaning the sharpest bends and even the short sections between valve casings is no problem. |
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Micro Trumpet/Cornet Cleaning Snake $4.99 Micro Trumpet/Cornet Cleaning Snake |
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Cleaning kit $39.99 Cleaning kit |
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Selmer Trumpet Starter Kit $29.95 The Selmer 388TR Kit consists of a polish cloth for lacquer finishes, valve casing brush, 1.6 ounce bottle of valve oil, mouthpiece brush, bore cleaning brush, tuning slide grease, and a care instruction manual. It also includes a Selmer 450N Folding Music Stand with carrying gag, plus an Instrument Case Luggage Tag for easy identification. A must for any trumpet player, it can be used with any trumpet with a lacquer finish.Polish cloth Valve casing brush 1.6 oz. bottle of valve oil Mouthpiece brush Bore cleaning brush |
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Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces in Silver 1.5C - Trumpet In Silver $24.99 Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces in Silver 1.5C - Trumpet In Silver |
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Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces in Silver 10.5C - Trumpet In Silver $24.99 Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces in Silver 10.5C - Trumpet In Silver |
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Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces in Silver 5C - Trumpet In Silver $24.99 Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces in Silver 5C - Trumpet In Silver |
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Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces in Silver 7C - Trumpet In Silver $24.99 Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces in Silver 7C - Trumpet In Silver |
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Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces In Silver 7C - Trumpet In Silver $24.99 Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces in Silver 7C - Trumpet In Silver |
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Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces In Silver 5C - Trumpet In Silver $24.99 Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces in Silver 5C - Trumpet In Silver |
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Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces In Silver 10.5C - Trumpet In Silver $24.99 Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces in Silver 10.5C - Trumpet In Silver |
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Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces In Silver 1.5C - Trumpet In Silver $24.99 Blessing Trumpet Mouthpieces in Silver 1.5C - Trumpet In Silver |
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Getzen Getzen 590-S Capri Silver Trumpet with Accessories Value Pack $1371 The Getzen 590-S Capri Series Bb Silver Trumpet is made for young musicians who would like professional model features without the professional price. The 590-S Capri Series features a .460-inch bore with a 1st valve thumb saddle for easy intonation adjustment, and nickel-silver valves that offer smooth action and have a lifetime warranty. This Intermediate horn also features a 4.75-inch yellow brass bell designed for excellent projection, lapped nickel-silver inside slides and receivers, and a nickel-silver leadpipe. Includes an AC-C-590 Wooden Trumpet Case, and a 7C mouthpiece.The Getzen Capri Accessories Value Pack contains over $100 worth of accessories including a Matrix tuner, valve guard, and the Getzen AC-CK-445 Trumpet Care Kit.Capri Trumpets are built for the next generation of great players. With their ease of playability and standard professional quality features they truly are fun to play. For more than thirty years Capri Trumpets have proven to be both affordable and dependable and will continue to be there with young players, easing the transition from practice room to on stage performance.Key: Bb Bore: .460 Leadpipe: nickel-silver Slides: hand-lapped nickel-silverBell: 4.75-inch two-piece Bell material: yellow brass Valves: nickel silver piston - hand lapped 1st valve slide adjustment: thumb saddle 3rd valve slide adjustment: adjustable ring Case: AC-C-590 wooden trumpet caseMouthpiece: 7CFinish: bright silver plateAccessories Value PackMatrix electronic tunerValve guardGetzen T-ShirtArtist CD AC-CK-445 Trumpet Care KitAC-CK-445 Trumpet Care Kit:Getzen valve oilGetzen tuning slide greaseSoft cleaning clothTrumpet tube coated snake brushMouthpiece brushValve casing brush |
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Getzen Getzen 590-S Capri Silver Trumpet with Accessories Value Pack 886830149771 $1096.8 The Getzen 590-S Capri Series Bb Silver Trumpet is made for young musicians who would like professional model features without the professional price. The 590-S Capri Series features a .460-inch bore with a 1st valve thumb saddle for easy intonation adjustment, and nickel-silver valves that offer smooth action and have a lifetime warranty. This Intermediate horn also features a 4.75-inch yellow brass bell designed for excellent projection, lapped nickel-silver inside slides and receivers, and a nickel-silver leadpipe. Includes an AC-C-590 Wooden Trumpet Case, and a 7C mouthpiece.The Getzen Capri Accessories Value Pack contains over $100 worth of accessories including a Matrix tuner, valve guard, and the Getzen AC-CK-445 Trumpet Care Kit.Capri Trumpets are built for the next generation of great players. With their ease of playability and standard professional quality features they truly are fun to play. For more than thirty years Capri Trumpets have proven to be both affordable and dependable and will continue to be there with young players, easing the transition from practice room to on stage performance.Key: Bb Bore: .460 Leadpipe: nickel-silver Slides: hand-lapped nickel-silverBell: 4.75-inch two-piece Bell material: yellow brass Valves: nickel silver piston - hand lapped 1st valve slide adjustment: thumb saddle 3rd valve slide adjustment: adjustable ring Case: AC-C-590 wooden trumpet caseMouthpiece: 7CFinish: bright silver plateAccessories Value PackMatrix electronic tunerValve guardGetzen T-ShirtArtist CD AC-CK-445 Trumpet Care KitAC-CK-445 Trumpet Care Kit:Getzen valve oilGetzen tuning slide greaseSoft cleaning clothTrumpet tube coated snake brushMouthpiece brushValve casing brush |
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Getzen Getzen 590-S Capri Silver Trumpet with Accessories Value Pack 886830149665 $1096.8 The Getzen 590-S Capri Series Bb Silver Trumpet is made for young musicians who would like professional model features without the professional price. The 590-S Capri Series features a .460-inch bore with a 1st valve thumb saddle for easy intonation adjustment, and nickel-silver valves that offer smooth action and have a lifetime warranty. This Intermediate horn also features a 4.75-inch yellow brass bell designed for excellent projection, lapped nickel-silver inside slides and receivers, and a nickel-silver leadpipe. Includes an AC-C-590 Wooden Trumpet Case, and a 7C mouthpiece.The Getzen Capri Accessories Value Pack contains over $100 worth of accessories including a Matrix tuner, valve guard, and the Getzen AC-CK-445 Trumpet Care Kit.Capri Trumpets are built for the next generation of great players. With their ease of playability and standard professional quality features they truly are fun to play. For more than thirty years Capri Trumpets have proven to be both affordable and dependable and will continue to be there with young players, easing the transition from practice room to on stage performance.Key: Bb Bore: .460 Leadpipe: nickel-silver Slides: hand-lapped nickel-silverBell: 4.75-inch two-piece Bell material: yellow brass Valves: nickel silver piston - hand lapped 1st valve slide adjustment: thumb saddle 3rd valve slide adjustment: adjustable ring Case: AC-C-590 wooden trumpet caseMouthpiece: 7CFinish: bright silver plateAccessories Value PackMatrix electronic tunerValve guardGetzen T-ShirtArtist CD AC-CK-445 Trumpet Care KitAC-CK-445 Trumpet Care Kit:Getzen valve oilGetzen tuning slide greaseSoft cleaning clothTrumpet tube coated snake brushMouthpiece brushValve casing brush |
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Getzen Getzen 590-S Capri Silver Trumpet With Accessories Value Pack $1371 The Getzen 590-S Capri Series Bb Silver Trumpet is made for young musicians who would like professional model features without the professional price. The 590-S Capri Series features a .460-inch bore with a 1st valve thumb saddle for easy intonation adjustment, and nickel-silver valves that offer smooth action and have a lifetime warranty. This Intermediate horn also features a 4.75-inch yellow brass bell designed for excellent projection, lapped nickel-silver inside slides and receivers, and a nickel-silver leadpipe. Includes an AC-C-590 Wooden Trumpet Case, and a 7C mouthpiece.The Getzen Capri Accessories Value Pack contains over $100 worth of accessories including a Matrix tuner, valve guard, and the Getzen AC-CK-445 Trumpet Care Kit.Capri Trumpets are built for the next generation of great players. With their ease of playability and standard professional quality features they truly are fun to play. For more than thirty years Capri Trumpets have proven to be both affordable and dependable and will continue to be there with young players, easing the transition from practice room to on stage performance.Key: Bb Bore: .460 Leadpipe: nickel-silver Slides: hand-lapped nickel-silverBell: 4.75-inch two-piece Bell material: yellow brass Valves: nickel silver piston - hand lapped 1st valve slide adjustment: thumb saddle 3rd valve slide adjustment: adjustable ring Case: AC-C-590 wooden trumpet caseMouthpiece: 7CFinish: bright silver plateAccessories Value PackMatrix electronic tunerValve guardGetzen T-ShirtArtist CD AC-CK-445 Trumpet Care KitAC-CK-445 Trumpet Care Kit:Getzen valve oilGetzen tuning slide greaseSoft cleaning clothTrumpet tube coated snake brushMouthpiece brushValve casing brush |