Your horn doesn’t take care of itself. If you’re not renting from Ellis Music, there are some things you need to know to keep your horn clean and happy. Also, some tools and materials to help you do so. Here are the methods and materials I use.
- Cleaning Rod: I prefer a steel one. Weaker metals will warp with use.
- Cheesecloth: You can find this at hardware stores or grocery stores. The cheap stuff is fine.
- Lubricant: Unfortunately, most beginner rentals come with slide oil, which looks clear like water. Oil dries quickly, leaves residue, spills and messes easily and smells foul. I highly recommend Yamaha Slide Lubricant, which is great for all the reasons oil isn’t, and costs about $10. Another good and trusted option is Trombotine, paired with a small spray bottle of distilled water, which you can find in travel or makeup sections of most stores.
- Microfiber clothes: safe, effective on all outer parts of the horn. Use with warm (not hot) water and a little dish soap to clean the outside. I usually get mine at auto parts stores.
- Mouthpiece brush: one of the grossest parts of the horn for players who snack before playing. Cleans the inner part of the mouthpiece, get one.
How often should I clean my horn? It really depends on how much you play, and if you eat before you do. One easy way to check is to remove the outer slide, then peek through the inner slide where the mouthpiece sits, aiming at a light source. It should be shiny, with a uniformly smooth texture on the surface. The darker and rougher it looks, the more it needs a bath! It’s really incredible how a horn responds after a good cleaning, and playing it will give a wonderful feeling of renewal.