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17 Apr 09 - 11:22 AM (#2613129) Subject: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Piers Plowman Well, it's been a couple of months now since I bought my trumpet and I think it may need it's first bath. At any rate, one of the books I bought says it should be bathed every three months or so and the other every six months. At first, I wasn't quite sure about the right way to pick it up, take it apart, etc., but now I feel a bit more confident. However, the description of the bathing procedure seems somewhat drastic, so I thought I'd ask here if anyone had any tips, having gotten such good advice in response to my previous questions. |
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17 Apr 09 - 12:12 PM (#2613169) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Mrrzy A strumpet would be easier to bathe, probably! |
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17 Apr 09 - 01:03 PM (#2613207) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: The Sandman seek professional advice. |
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17 Apr 09 - 01:10 PM (#2613217) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Bernard Nowt to it, really... you normally remove the valves to oil them (you do, don't you?!!), then all you really need do is run warm water through it for a few minutes, dry it off as best you can, oil the valves and replace them. The valves should be 'keyed' to prevent them being shoved in the wrong hole, but even so, the holes through the valves are designed to line up with the tubing, so it should be easy enough to work out which one is which if you get them mixed up. Any good music shop will sell the correct oil for the valves... The idea is to try to stop nasty stuff growing inside... yeuk!! Unlike most woodwind instruments, you can't use a fluffy pull-through each time you've been playing! |
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17 Apr 09 - 05:14 PM (#2613404) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Jack Campin The valves should be 'keyed' to prevent them being shoved in the wrong hole, but even so, the holes through the valves are designed to line up with the tubing Trumpet. Trumpet. No "s". The idea is to try to stop nasty stuff growing inside... yeuk!! You can get things from the chemist for that. |
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18 Apr 09 - 06:18 AM (#2613710) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Piers Plowman Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Bernard - PM Date: 17 Apr 09 - 01:10 PM "Nowt to it, really... you normally remove the valves to oil them (you do, don't you?!!)," Yes, I've been oiling the valves and greasing the slides about once a week. "then all you really need do is run warm water through it for a few minutes, dry it off as best you can, oil the valves and replace them." Thanks. I've got descriptions, but I just wanted to hear from a real person that there's nothing special to watch out for. "The valves should be 'keyed' to prevent them being shoved in the wrong hole, but even so, the holes through the valves are designed to line up with the tubing, so it should be easy enough to work out which one is which if you get them mixed up." They're numbered and the numbers go in the front. "Any good music shop will sell the correct oil for the valves..." I've got oil and trombone slide grease and a cleaning set and mutes and four (!) different mouthpieces (I like to try things out). "The idea is to try to stop nasty stuff growing inside... yeuk!! Unlike most woodwind instruments, you can't use a fluffy pull-through each time you've been playing!" It doesn't seem that dirty yet, so I think I'll hold off on bathing it for the moment. I take each slide off and blow the spit out thoroughly every time I'm finished playing. At first I was a bit nervous about doing this, but now I just pull them off and put them back with wild abandon. Thanks again, and to the other people who answered. |
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18 Apr 09 - 06:57 AM (#2613724) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Bernard 'It doesn't seem that dirty yet' - don't wait until it is, 'cos that's too late!! It's what's known as 'preventative maintenance'. |
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18 Apr 09 - 07:54 AM (#2613733) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Hamish Depends how often you play. My nephew washes his every week. I find that as an occasional player once a month is about right. Otherwise: as Bernard said! |
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18 Apr 09 - 10:45 AM (#2613800) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: frogprince Why not do it in the bathtub, with a strumpet to assist? |
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18 Apr 09 - 11:27 AM (#2613822) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: JohnInKansas Strumpets favor different kinds of oils, lotions, perfumes, and such that may completely mess up your trumpet, despite any beneficial effects on said strumpet. Bathing your strumpet is recreation, and creative invention in the methods and procedures is encouraged. Bathing your trumpet is required maintenance, and only appropriate accessories of known good quality should be used. The two processes should be combined only for the recreational phase, and the final cleansing of the trumpet should be done thoroughly and properly after you've finished the playing part. John |
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18 Apr 09 - 11:50 AM (#2613831) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: catspaw49 Whoa.....There are brushes to do the job and commonly used. There is no time frame but remember all the nasty crap you're putting into the bore. You need these.........CLICK HERE Remove the valves and slides.......Use a mild soap with lukewarm water and then a thorough rinsing... For playing inspiration, go find "Kenton 76" and listen to the trumpet solo on "Send in the Clowns"......... Spaw |
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18 Apr 09 - 04:27 PM (#2614030) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Uncle_DaveO A strumpet would be easier to bathe, probably! And a lot more fun, too! Dave Oesterreich |
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20 Apr 09 - 06:02 AM (#2614877) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Piers Plowman Thank you all for both types of bathing advice. Point re preventative maintenance duly noted. I've ordered an adapter which can be attached to the hose for a shower head and that is just the right size for the tube of the trumpet into which the mouthpiece normally goes. It doesn't cost the earth and it should arrive this week, so I'll wait until I've gotten it. All of my faucets are so close to the wall of the sink or bathtub that it would be awkward to use them. Besides, I greased the slides and oiled the valves the other day, so it would be wasteful to wash them now, anyway. I bought a cleaning set with sponges on wires and a mouthpiece brush and even the special soap, so I think I have everything. Thanks again for the good advice (one of the reasons I like to come here). |
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20 Apr 09 - 01:11 PM (#2614934) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: GUEST,Pete Any more strumpet "jokes"? |
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20 Apr 09 - 03:53 PM (#2615067) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: GUEST My mind's still reeling at the thought of a strumpet and a fluffy pull through. Mike |
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20 Apr 09 - 03:57 PM (#2615071) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Michael That last post (on a trumpet?) was me sans cookie. Was that 'Strumpet Voluntary'? No you need to foursome. Mike |
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20 Apr 09 - 04:05 PM (#2615076) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Rapparee I've been playing mine since 1964 and haven't bathed it yet. Just blow out the spit valves as needed and oil the valves. If you feel that you MUST I'd use hot soapy water and a hot rinse and let it all air dry. Keeping the mouthpiece clean has always seemed more important to me. Besides, after you take it apart you have to re-tune it. |
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20 Apr 09 - 05:59 PM (#2615165) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Bernard I suppose that's one way of making sure no-one else borrows it!! |
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20 Apr 09 - 07:15 PM (#2615210) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Weasel I've been playing brass for over thirty years - I bathe it about once a year (if I remember) - never had any problems. Dead easy to do - pour warm soapy water down the bell (just a couple of drops of washing up liquid is enough - you don't want loads of suds) and and keep pouring until the water comes out of the mouthpipe. Work the valves whilst you do it. Repeat. Then repeat with cold clear water a couple of times to rinse out ALL the soap. (You can do all this by completely immersing the instrument in the bath - I don't) It might be worth then oiling the valves with a little "VALVE" oil - it should say "valve oil" on the bottle - if it doesn't, it may not be suitable. If it has a picture of a trombone on the bottle it almost certainly isn't. Pull out the slides to empty them and clean the legs, then grease them lightly with slide cream - (trombone slide cream is different stuff) Only put a tiny bit of oil on the valves - too much and it could make them sluggish. Be careful how you press the valves down when you're playing - make sure they go down straight. The vast majority of valve sticking problems stem from players pressing down the valves at a slight angle. All the best, |
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21 Apr 09 - 04:52 AM (#2615455) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Piers Plowman Wow! Thanks for the great answers. I'll save them to a file and will put off _trumpet_ bathing for the present. I usually play everyday, but I always brush my teeth, blow out the spit valves and take off the slides and blow through the trumpet when I'm done, then rub it down with a cloth before putting it away. Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Rapaire - PM Date: 20 Apr 09 - 04:05 PM "Besides, after you take it apart you have to re-tune it." Re-tune? What's that? You forget, I'm a guitarist. |
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21 Apr 09 - 05:29 AM (#2615470) Subject: RE: Bathing a trumpet --- Advice Wanted From: Piers Plowman As for stuff growing in it: I managed to get the dandelions out, but I'm having some trouble with the giant hogweed. |