Brasswind Family Care & Maintenance Tips
Brasswinds, as with any instrument, need proper maintenance to not only sustain a great sound but also keep up that shining appearance. You should handle your Brasswind with the utmost care, and also remember to practice good cleaning techniques.
- Clean your instrument – It is important that your instrument is cleaned on a regular basis. Fingerprints and any other residue should be removed with the appropriate cleaning products. It is best to disassemble it and work from there.
- Never place anything on top of your instrument- It is a given that items placed on an instrument can cause harm to it. Even if an instrument is in a hard case or a bag, potential damage can still happen.
- Be aware of temperature/humidity – Climate can be quite the factor when it comes to any instrument. Anything extreme can harm it. To prevent this, do not to leave your instrument, in case or not, in an area where extreme temperatures can occur such as in the trunk of your car on a hot or cold day.
- Always ensure that your instrument is dry – Moisture build-up is to be expected when it comes to Brasswinds. Even so, it is best to remove this moisture as any inside can cause damage such as corrosion. Moisture on the outside of an instrument should be wiped off promptly as well to prevent additional damage.
- Take care of what you eat or drink prior to playing – There can already be an issue when it comes to moisture building up. Another complication arises when a substance like sugar mixes in with saliva. Try to keep your mouth free from anything that can lead to any complications.
- Have the Instrument Professionally Serviced – There are plenty of things you can do right at home to care for and clean your brasswind instrument. However, some things will inevitably require a professional touch. We recommend that you take your instrument to our repair technician once or twice a year for routine maintenance and a thorough cleaning. They are also useful for discovering things that you may have accidentally overlooked. They can notice problems that may lead to more costly repairs in the future if they are not handled right away.
Proper Assembly of Brasswind Instruments
Maintaining your Brasswind has much to do with putting it together and also taking it apart the right way. You should never have to force any part in its place, or use excessive pressure when assembling or disassembling it.
If you ever find yourself struggling to put your instrument together, don’t hesitate to ask your instructor for help. We are also available to assist you, either contact us directly or schedule an appointment for assistance.
We have put together some fun animated videos for Brasswind Instruments as part of our Instrument Assembly Series.
In addition, Conn Selmer has put together some wonderful instrument assembly videos on youtube.
