Tips on caring for slide instruments

Tips on caring for Trombones

Part name:slide instruments

Care before playing

Preparing the slide

Clean the inner slide and add a suitable amount of slide cream to the tip (the part with the wider diameter; do not use slide grease).

After applying slide cream, moisten the slide sufficiently using a water sprayer.

Put on the outer slide and move it several times to fully spread out the cream. If the slide starts moving poorly while playing the instrument, moisten again it with the water sprayer.

Oiling the rotor (tenor bass trombones and bass trombones)

On tenor bass trombones and bass trombones, apply rotor oil to the rotor from the slide receiver side.

Care after playing

Cleaning the slide

Drain interior moisture using the water key.

Wrap polishing gauze around a cleaning rod up to the end so that the metal tip of the rod is not exposed. Next, clean the insides of outer and inner slides. When you remove the cleaning rod, be careful not to leave any gauze inside the tube.

Caring for the surface

Wipe the surface lightly with a polishing cloth.

Weekly care

Cleaning the tuning slides

Wrap polishing gauze around a cleaning rod up to the end so that the metal tip of the rod is not exposed. Next, clean the insides of the inner and outer slides. When you remove the cleaning rod, be careful not to leave any gauze inside the tube.

Clean the surface of the tuning slide with gauze. Next, apply a small amount of slide grease. Work the slide back and forth several times so that the grease is spread over the entire length.

Caring for the rotary valve

Apply rotor oil to the rotor from the slide receiver end.

Remove the rotary valve cap, then apply a small amount of rotor spindle oil to the rotary center and the area supporting the shaft.

Also apply small amounts of rotor spindle oil to the rotor rotation shaft and bearing. After applying the oil, tighten the cap and move the lever so that the oil works in.

Apply a small amount of lever oil to the shaft bearing on the lever brace.

Tips

To prevent the oil from mixing with grease or debris adhering to the body interior,insert the tip of the oil applicator so that it does not directly touch the interior of the outer slide.
The tip of the oil applicator is made of metal. Be careful when inserting it so that it does not touch the rotor directly.
For further information, see "Oiling the rotor" on the French horn page.

Washing the mouthpiece

Create a solution from brass soap and water (in a ratio of 10 to 15 parts warm water (30-40ºC) to one part brass soap). Soak the mouthpiece brush in the brass soap-water solution. Next, insert the mouthpiece brush in the mouthpiece throat to clean it. Rinse with clean water.

Cleaning small spaces

Form polishing gauze into a rope shape for use in cleaning. Be sure to carefully clean even the smallest spaces.

Cleaning the water key hole

Use a tone hole cleaner to clean the water key hole.

Monthly care

Washing the body interior

Create a solution from brass soap and water (in a ratio of 10 to 15 parts warm water (30-40ºC) to one part brass soap).

Soak a flexible cleaner brush in the brass soap-water solution. Next, insert the brush in the tube to clean it.

Once the interior has been cleaned, rinse in clean water to remove the brass soap. Next, use a gauze cloth to completely dry the tube. Apply slide cream to the slide, and apply slide grease to the tuning slides.