UpClose with the Student-Run Leland Stanford Junior Le eteyis lire) a yar a i ad ge ere} Re a) Oecd eee perieteon i Bue sees Beane a Boerne earnREPAIR: Brass Instruments The ‘Technician’s Perspective What technicians want you to know about caring for brass instruments by John Huth, Lucas Pemberton, and Greg Beckwith Sead Bone & Otciesta + August 20 = or student musicians, an underperforming Pron ci ater ee they decide to continue with band or quit the program. With experienced players, subpar instru- ‘ment condition can impact audition and job success. Repair technicians can and should be a partner with the director, parent, student, and professional in en- suring success: they are there to serve you, and most afe passionate about music and its positive impact ‘on people’ lives. Consulting on instrument care and maintenance and creating a repair schedule with @ trusted technician helps prevent catastrophic events and unplanned bills. In our case, Yamabia generously donates complete instruments and parts to help us teach repair tothe next generation of technicians, and thay suggested that we help spread the word about proper instrument maintenance With that, here are some things to keep in mind,Keep Your Srasswinds Lubed Musicians can save money and downtime from practicing and performing if their instruments stay well1ubricated, Slide grease: Greese slide tubing af least once per month ‘When applying, mate certain the grease stays out of the inside Df the tubes, For most musicians, any grease from a reputable rmanufacturar/suppler wil suffice. Avoid petroleum jelly 2s i \s corrosive that promotes stuck slides. For sides moved for tuning when playing (ven 3¢ trumpet first and tir slides), cut the grease with valve all or use valve-slide specie grease al, ‘Neo, push al slides in when finished playing, See pate A ‘What grease does: 8rass and its similar alloys ‘end to cor rode together if there isnt ¢ gieese better between them, Thi canasion can he natural within each meta’ properties oF hastened by corrasion-promating saliva, which lfiteates The space between sliding tubing on brasswinds. Ma slide becomes stuck: Your best bet Is 10 leave i alone and take the instrument to a quality repait shop: The worst thing you can do is ferk-pul a stuck slide with a rag ~It too ‘after results in residual damege and e higher repair bi An in strument with stuck tides likely so foaded with bore-biock Ing residue that It needs repair shop's leaning expertise and ater services bayend the stuck didelssue Piston valve ol Gilpiston valves every day the nsitument i played. Three to six drops pet valve is recommended. For most musicians any valve oll rom a reputable manufacturer fr suppliee will do. Asa player matures, he ot she may cheose ‘a brand based on how it makes the valves feel, Reaardiess of choice the key is frequency of oiling. See pote 8 What valve oll does: Sling your valves can actually im prove how your brass instrument pesforms. With even a te ‘ac one thoursnith of an inch of space betwisen the valve and ts casing, ol ils that space, often improving attack and overall ‘aate of playing. Valve cil alo Klocks corrosion inducing saliva from slowing valves cown and flushes the debris that accu lates on the valve face down to the bottom cap, improving the ifespan of both the vaive and the instrument. Sediment that accumulates betweera valveand is casing acts 03 an abrasive, ‘pening the space andl dearading instrument playability Ma valve becomes stuck: Your best bet | 1 (eave i alone Usually the valve is stuck because of a dant in ie casing oF because of bent parts that are pressing on the valves. Vaves, being hollow and delicate, ate easily damaged 0 destroyed, Do net use drumsticks, pers. pencils, nals, or other tems that uninformed players sometimes use to ree a stuck valve By re lying on @ quality repair shop, repair charges can be kept to.a Keep it Clean To keep clean brass Inctruniants playing at their best and keep buildup inside the bore at bay, here are some simple tps: Weekly heme swabbing: Osassembling snd “bathing? » brass instrument is rarely necessary: The ime and expertise re uted to give a bres insteurent « bath is eften too much to ask of players. In adaktion, hot water ang detergents can stip some lacquers. Most dirt and grime accurnulates in the tubing leading off the mouthpiece (the lesdpipe-and main sie). Con. Sider weekly use of 2 leadpipe swab er sponge spitbal ciscs 46Do not use drumsticks, pens, pencils, nails, or other Be ueMur me iecatct: ell a ers sometimes use to free a Bras Ea ners ofrnserde, lastname yrs tenth Re ‘hea ning persia Hs pons teber ori the geese ‘etd bi ander be ne ig hep te set tnt et ‘Mere Mee dnp nna yy fe nae pel ply et