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 Moisture is the most destructive thing to a woodwind instrument Woodwinds MUST be swabbed each time the instrument is played regardless of time Woodwinds MUST be swabbed each time the instrument is played regardless of time

3. Woodwind Swabs Use an instrument-specific swab Use an instrument-specific swab Using a swab that is too large can damage the bore of the instrument or get stuck 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! Do not leave a “leave in the horn” type swab in the horn! Typically made of nylon or some type of polymer – NON-ABSORBENT! 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 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 Pledge furniture polish is an excellent cleaner for lacquered instruments NEVER use alcohol to clean a plastic instrument or mouthpiece NEVER use alcohol to clean a plastic instrument or mouthpiece

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

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

8. Flute Maintenance Keep tenons and sockets clean with alcohol Keep tenons and sockets clean with alcohol Check the seal and position of the head cork often Check the seal and position of the head cork often Use suction test 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 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 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 Cloth MUST be kept clean – silk is excellent for this purpose

10. Clarinet/Oboe Maintenance Keep tenons well lubricated Keep tenons well lubricated Watch for bridge mechanism(s) during assembly Watch for bridge mechanism(s) during assembly Check weekly for loose socket and bell rings Check weekly for loose socket and bell rings DO NOT play an instrument with loose 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 On wooden instruments have the bore checked yearly for cracks, leaks and proper lubrication Have cracks addressed IMMEDIATELY – do not play a cracked instrument Have cracks addressed IMMEDIATELY – do not play a cracked instrument Do not expose wooden instruments to extreme temperature / humidity changes Do not expose wooden instruments to extreme temperature / humidity changes

12. Saxophone Maintenance Keep neck tenon and socket clean Keep neck tenon and socket clean Keep neck cork well-lubricated Keep neck cork well-lubricated Check guard screws weekly Check guard screws weekly Always use a neckstrap with all saxophones to prevent damage to the bottom bow 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 When assembling the instrument be careful not to damage the whisper key pad and bridge Keep tenon and bocal corks / threads well lubricated Keep tenon and bocal corks / threads well lubricated Check guard and bracket screws weekly Check guard and bracket screws weekly

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