Woodwind Instrument Maintenance

1. Woodwind Instrument Maintenance By Keren & Michael Barr North Georgia Band Instrument Service

2. General Woodwind Maintenance • Moisture is the most destructive thing to a woodwind instrument • Woodwinds MUST be swabbed each time the instrument is played regardless of time

3. Woodwind Swabs • Use an instrument-specific swab • Using a swab that is too large can damage the bore of the instrument or get stuck • Do not leave a “leave in the horn” type swab in the horn! • Typically made of nylon or some type of polymer – NON-ABSORBENT!

4. Woodwind Maintenance • Gently wipe down the finish of the instrument with a finish-specific cloth once per week • Pledge furniture polish is an excellent cleaner for lacquered instruments • NEVER use alcohol to clean a plastic instrument or mouthpiece

5. Woodwind Maintenance • Apply key oil lightly at all key pivot points monthly • Saliva is FAR more destructive to woodwind bores and pads than light rain • Dry thoroughly after exposure to rain

6. Woodwind Maintenance • Do not use excessive cork grease on tenon and neck corks • Consider switching to paraffin wax instead of grease – less damaging to corks • Thoroughly rinse mouth between eating and playing a horn! • DO NOT store anything other than the instrument and its mouthpiece in an instrument case!

7. Woodwind Maintenance • Check the instrument case monthly to ensure that the latches, hinges and handle(s) are in proper working order • DO NOT turn screws on an instrument unless you know what that screw does! • Have your instrument serviced yearly by a qualified band instrument repair technician

8. Flute Maintenance • Keep tenons and sockets clean with alcohol • Check the seal and position of the head cork often • Use suction test

9. Flute Maintenance • Do not attempt to polish a silver flute yourself – polishing cloths and silver polishing chemicals will damage the pads • A standard (non-silver) cleaning cloth can be used to remove fingerprints, oil and dirt from the instrument • Cloth MUST be kept clean – silk is excellent for this purpose

10. Clarinet/Oboe Maintenance • Keep tenons well lubricated • Watch for bridge mechanism(s) during assembly • Check weekly for loose socket and bell rings • DO NOT play an instrument with loose rings

11. Clarinet/Oboe Maintenance • On wooden instruments have the bore checked yearly for cracks, leaks and proper lubrication • Have cracks addressed IMMEDIATELY – do not play a cracked instrument • Do not expose wooden instruments to extreme temperature / humidity changes

12. Saxophone Maintenance • Keep neck tenon and socket clean • Keep neck cork well-lubricated • Check guard screws weekly • Always use a neckstrap with all saxophones to prevent damage to the bottom bow

13. Bassoon Maintenance • When assembling the instrument be careful not to damage the whisper key pad and bridge • Keep tenon and bocal corks / threads well lubricated • Check guard and bracket screws weekly

14. Mouthpieces and Reeds • Discard any mouthpiece or reed with a chip or crack • Clean mouthpieces weekly with soap, water and a mouthpiece-specific brush • DO NOT leave ligatures and reeds on a mouthpiece • Check metal ligatures weekly for signs of damage