I’ve been watching ever since I gave my instrument its first bath last year, and I gotta tell ya, THIS HELPED A LOT!!! Cause I’m pretty sure my band director would kill me if I didn’t, he even recommended this video for all the trumpet players
Thank you so much for making this video, I have on and off played the trumpet for several years and recently obtained a pawn shop Yamaha that definitely needed a lot of love. This has helped immensely with the know-how of how to take it apart, clean, and put it back together without ruining it. Thankyou. My one question, the tiny circle of cork on the spit valve\tuning slides, those are water safe? slide are
Glad this video could be of service! The cork is water safe. Depending on the state of your instrument, the cork may need to be replaced. That could be an easy music shop fix or a DIY, although buying the cork in bulk might be less cost effective than having a repair shop doing it.
Thanks for the video. One more tip: never do a 'cleaning' the day of a concert or an important rehearsal. It's an old trick, but we sometimes forget it while trying to do the right thing. Besides the fact that it takes some time to 'redo' the interior after a complete cleaning, you may lose a spring or have other problems¨And if you only have one instrument.... you will be annoyed... (from real life experience...)
I found this out to my cost as an intermediate player - big gig coming up, cleaned trumpet a few days before and dented one of the slide receivers so it couldn't be reassembled. Trumpet had to get sent away to get dent out, mad panic trying to find a hire trumpet in time for gig. Just what you don't want when you're nervous enough about performing.
the bottom of where my felt tip is that part that is supposed to unscrew (im sorry i have no clue what if its called) to acces the spring is like very dry and its stuck and theres white stuff too. its very hard to open and i dont want to yank it because it is so hard to open that part and i don't want to damage the valve casing. thanks!
I wouldn't recommend it! Strange, I was just talking in my band classes last week about funny things people comment on this video when asking about cleaning their trumpets... 😁
Good video I learned how to clean it properly but I just need to know if I also need to put the caps on the bottom of the valves in water as well or would I just leave them out then put them on after the trumpet is done
I have owned my trumpet for 7 years now, never once cleaned it (was scrapping the grime off it a month ago) like this or at all. I might just start now.
@@shaunschaefers I went to clean my trumpet the other day in barely warm water and note how i have done this multiple times with no problem but this time something clear came off like it was laminated or something
What do i do about the tarnish on the main tuning slides? it doesn’t come off when i clean it regularly. it only comes off once i do a chemical bath, but i don’t want to have to bring it to the music shop to get it removed. I heard brasso was an option but it seems controversial, and I don’t know if it’s fully safe to use on an expensive horn
I know what you are referring to in regards to tarnish. The main question is, do you think the tarnish is affecting the movement of the slide? I personally don’t mind it as long as it’s not affecting the playability. I have not used brasso before, but I know some who have.
@@shaunschaefers I just mainly think it looks ugly so if there is a way to get rid of it, I would like to know. For me, I just like my horn to look nice but if you can’t really do anything about the tarnish than it wouldn’t be a big problem
no I got it done thank you so much for you help you helped me a lot because I didnt know if there was a specific way to clean my bach stradivarius 50th anniversary but I guess there isnt. But I was making a little joke not making fun of you it's just funny that you said that people like to clean the inside of the valve casing were you hold it outside of the trumpet instead of outside of the water.
Mine is not playing well and it's not the valve alignment. Can cleaning it really improve performance? Right now, it's almost impossible to get smooth playing performance.
What exactly is the problem? Are the valves sluggish? Is the sound stuffy? I just cleaned both of my horns over the weekend, and it really did improve it’s performance. When was the last time the horn was cleaned?
@@shaunschaefers well I've only had this one a month or so I bought it used. It's a pocket trumpet so they call it. It's silver by Cecilio. I've oiled the valves but haven't cleaned it as you've demonstrated. I'm hoping when I do it'll alleviate the problem. Valves are good they don't stick. Best way I can describe it is like giving a trumpet to someone who's never played before. It's not like blockage from turned valve but it's not smooth. Hard to describe.
@@jimmieroberts4430 That could be the nature of the pocket trumpet due to the compact tubing, or that specific horn judging by the brand. Cleaning it might help, but if you are new to a brass instrument it also might be related to your embouchure, as starting out on a brass instrument does take time to develop a clearer sound. Let me know if you have any questions or if there is anyway I can help.
@@shaunschaefers ok thank you. I am experienced although it's been awhile since I've played regularly. Nevertheless I feel I haven't lost it or am at beginner level again. I'll try cleaning hopefully that will make a difference. I'll let you know. Thank you again Shaun cheers
Good question. Slide oil is sometimes sold at music stores, sometimes not. Honestly, slide grease with a few drops of valve oil works just fine, but I remember being taught to only use slide grease (without the valve oil) as a younger student and that just doesn’t work as well.
@@shaunschaefers Oil will only dilute the grease. Although it will make the slides a bit faster, it's not their purpose. Slides need to maintain their position for stable tuning. It will do its job better if you don't dilute the grease with oil. 1st and 3rd slides are a different story of course. It needs oil without grease.
Hi I have been wanting to play the trumpet and finally got one for Christmas. Should you clean your trumpet after every time you practice ? How often should you clean it ?
Congratulations on the new trumpet! A full on cleaning like this should be done once or twice a year (you can also take it to a local music shop to get cleaned for a price). Once or twice a week, you should oil your valves. Every two weeks or so you should apply slide cream to the appropriate slides. Hope this helps!
Oiling the valves and greasing the slides: at least once or twice a week when you are actively practicing. This type of long cleaning you only need to do once or twice a year if you take good care of your instrument and refrain from eating/drinking before playing
Using those materials on your valves could cause some harm. If your valves are dirty/have build up, I would use a regular crest toothpaste (no whitening or fancy stuff) and a Q-tip and gently apply the toothpaste to any spots that might be on it. Then, make sure to give the valves a good rinse off.
@@shaunschaefers NEVER use any kind of toothpaste on them. Either leave it alone and have a tech to clean them, or use denatured alcohol or break cleaner and some non-scratchy cloth.
