SLIDE GREASE and EXTRA VALVE OIL -- It is essential to have a container of slide grease (high-quality type) with you at all times, because you never know when you will need it... such as if you drop one of your slides (and have to wipe it off due to dirt and grime) or if you consistently empty your 3rd valve slide and it becomes dry. In either case (or others), you will need slide grease immediately -- so you need to have it. Likewise, you should also have at least 2 bottles of valve oil because you will ultimately run out and it is likely to occur at a time when is most inconvenient to obtain another. In fact, if you need it for a concert, then you will have a completely compromised horn. OBTAIN 3 CLEANING BRUSHES -- While a cleaning kit is likely to have a flexible snake with bristle brushes at both ends, you also need a mouthpiece brush and a valve casing brush. The mouthpiece brush is SO important because you should be using it weekly to keep the mouthpiece completely clean. Also, it is important to clean the lead pipe of your horn on a weekly basis because that is where MOST of the gunk collects and is likely to form RED ROT.
MINIMIZING "RED ROT" -- Prior to the '90s and 2000's, the phenomenon of RED ROT was not really known or understood. The phenomenon predominantly surfaced from within the ranks of studio players who would play rigorous sets that included short breaks. And it was during these breaks that these studio musicians often ate candy bars and/or drank a sugar-laden soft drink (like Coke). When returning back to their playing, the saliva from their mouths contained more acid than normal, resulting in the leaching of the zinc from within the brass tubing itself. So as the zinc leaches out, it depletes and weakens the brass -- leaving behind copper PLUS the erosion of the integrity of the tubing resulting in a thinner and rougher interior surface. Ultimately, the RED ROT will migrate THROUGH the tubing and will "daylight" to the outside of the tubing in the form of a pinhole which will leak air. Once this occurs, the only way to repair the instrument is to replace the damaged part completely. The early signs of RED ROT are a roughness beginning to form on the inside of the lead pipe and/or tubing. The chronic stage will manifest by either the emergence of discoloration surrounding a red (or brown) dot or the formation of an actual hole in the pipe. It can either occur under the lacquer or break through the lacquer. BEST WAY(s) TO COMBAT RED ROT -- Keep your mouth as clean as possible at all times when playing. Don't eat less than an hour before playing and do NOT eat anything with sugar in it before playing. Rinse your mouth out with water prior to playing (and even while playing) -- but ESPECIALLY rinse your mouth out if you must play directly after eating. Drink only water when playing. Use your snake brush weekly to clean out your lead pipe and tuning slide (where 90% of gunk forms).
