How To Clean a Trumpet 

Shaimond ha

Shaimond ahhahahahaha

The cry is the horse whiny sound effect

As a band teacher, I totally understand! Glad this video will be helpful to you.

Karen

@@Repah stop

@@RyanDoesntAnimatelol lol that was a year ago

@@Repah I don’t care

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 Squad no u

Which war

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Also, I agree about keeping the trumpet underwater when putting the snake through it. I learned this the hard way because when you do it out of the water, the bristles flick gunk everywhere!

Wait tf

NO MR TSUI IS THE BEST

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.

I’m happy you still remember me! I am sure I remember you too, mystery student!

I like to take them out personally as I feel they get clean better. One of my trumpets tends to collect more grime in them compared to the other one

Hi Peter, thanks! To my knowledge there is not a risk of damage to the pads. I don't submerge the trumpet for more than 30 minutes, but I've never had any problems with them. Usually I'll have them replaced every so often when I take them into the music shop for a cleaning

@@shaunschaefers Shaun, it's great to hear from you. Ok noted. Thanks for that reassurance. Peter

Good question Joseph. Valve material is often one of the more vulnerable parts of the valve, and by wiping off piston valves with a rough material like a paper towel there is a chance for some damage, depending on the quality and material of the paper towel. If I do any 'wiping' on the valves, I just do a couple of light taps with a pure cotton material, but never vigorous wiping. 2nd question - not at all! In fact, I recommend it for smoother movement IN ADDITION TO a light slide grease. More reading on valve material here: www.normans.co.uk/blog/2014/05/brass-instrument-valves-differences/

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!

Better not get it wet

I’m just kidding with you

lmao

Switch to the trumpet

@@HondaOdyessy Actually they are cleaned with water as well.

Thank you, to polish use a silver cream. And this is a Yamaha Xeno

No, that's a Chicago Bach. Lol

Or a Philly Bach depends if it's a star bell or not, def not a Yamaha

Matt Pienkowski whoops, you are correct! I forgot I was cleaning my C trumpet in this video

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... 😁

I highly recommend it!

What makes it hard to play?

You might have one of the valves turned the wrong way in the trumpet. Make sure the valves are aligned with the guides inside of the horn!

I would take your horn into a local music shop to have them take a look at it

@@shaunschaefers okay thank you!

I don't know exactly what the green stuff is (my guess would be build up from food eaten before playing), but I would suggest using a Q-tip and some warm water after the bottom caps have been soaked.

Make sure you do not hit them into anything or drop them. Also, be careful not to wipe them down with a paper tower or something that would scratch them - it is a very fine metal. Ask your music teacher to help you out!

Yes, usually I wait about 20 minutes or so and that does the trick

If you have a leather strap (or something that won't scratch the trumpet) you can make a quick hook and have someone pull on the other end while you hold the trumpet. Really, I just recommend bringing it to a music shop at that point so you don't accidentally bend it!

It should be alright to do that - make sure the toothpaste has no additives like whitening or anything like that.

You can clean an older trumpet the same way, just do not use dish soap if there are cracks in the plating

Yes!

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

I'm not sure what you mean. Could you please clarify?

You can just clean the slides if you don’t want to clean the whole trumpet, but often letting the trumpet bathe in the water will loosen up any debris

After the instrument is dry, I usually use an old soft clean t-shirt and I will use my breath to fog it up and then "polish" it. If you don't polish it, nothing bad will happen. I know there are some players that prefer to polish it and several different ways, but I don't know enough about it to recommend you a specific answer. There should be some ideas online regarding some ways to do it, drum corps players are especially good at shining their horns!

Shaun Schaefers thank you for the response, I just didn’t want to damage the silver. Just got the trumpet.

@@EzequielMorales14 No problem, congratulations on the new horn!

When I clean, I keep them in order. Most brands will have a marking of 1, 2, or 3 on the valve to solve this problem. If not, take your best guess and try playing the trumpet afterwards. All of the valve combinations will only work if the valves are in the right spot.

It depends on how much you pay attention to what you eat and when you play into your trumpet after that (if you do not wash your mouth out or brush your teeth). It also matters how often you play too. I usually clean my trumpet every 6 months to every year.

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Not sure where you see this in the video, unless you're talking about the main tuning slide; that one you do not need hold down any valves to remove!

The Hummel Trumpet Concerto!

Same

Not ours lol

about 8 years old

There’s no true benefit to super hot water - if it’s a matter of material loosening inside of it, temperature combined with time will be helpful, but regular hot or warm water would be able to work. If there’s material inside that won’t come out or an issue that can’t be fixed with a trumpet bath, I would take it into a music shop with an ultrasonic cleaner.

Super hot water damages the lacquer if it has.

I am a 17 year old beginner

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

Thank you very much sir.

It is not the worst thing in the world, as springs can always be replaced. It just might make them rust or decay faster than usual.

I would avoid a snake for the mouthpiece, that's too large for them. Just run water through them and make a note to get a mouthpiece brush (they are cheap and great). A valve brush is not as vital, and submerging the trumpet should take care of most of the grime.

@@shaunschaefers ohh ok. You see... I didnt see this comment until now so I used the snake and it went through nearly all the way. But it took some/most of the stuff on the side out. Anyway.. thank you. I'll keep the mouth piece brush in mind

The spring should be removable, but if it is not then avoid washing that part soaked in water.

Shaun Schaefers ok thanks.

Sometimes letting the instrument sit in the water for a little and then using a kitchen grip (like for jars) on them will work. Worst case scenario, take it to a local music shop and see if they would do that part for you.

Thank you. I inherited this trumpet so there is no telling how long since it was cleaned.

You can also heat it up with a hair dryer or steamer, cover it with a cloth, and guve it an extremely light tap with a hammer and then try to unscrew it and it should easily come undone

Rick Croucher WD40 worked for my old trumpet

@@thebigcheese3574 I am not sure that I would personally recommend WD40.

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

I would not recommend this. I have never heard of it, and while I’m not a chemist, I don’t think a particularly acidic substance would have a good effect on the metals!

Until there is no visible water left on the outside is my rule of thumb. I let it dry for an hour or two.

Shaun Schaefers okay. thank you!

That is okay to do!

Be more specific and I might be able to help!

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.

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.

Hummel Trumpet Concerto!

That's it, thanks so much!!

I recommend twice a year

This is a C trumpet I am cleaning, a Bach Chicago C. You probably would want to get a beginner trumpet, and there are several brands that I would recommend purchasing. A Bach or Yamaha beginner trumpet are usually great. You can also find Olds Ambassadors used, and some models of King trumpets that are also reliable.

Shaun Schaefers oh sorry I meant a more professional trumpet I’ve had a student trumpet since I started playing in the third grade now In ninth and id like to say that I’m pretty good but I rlly don’t have any knowledge of brands or different trumpets that the Jupiter student one I own, sorry should have been more clear😅😅

@@graceholloway5477 I would try some trumpets out at a local music store. There are many great professional brands, and it ultimately comes down to preference of sound/feel/price/etc.

Shaun Schaefers great! Thank you! Sorry, but I don’t know any music stores other than music and arts and I’m not sure that I could go in and ask if I could try out a couple of trumpets. Would you recommend music and arts or another store? Sorry for all the trouble

@@graceholloway5477 Music and Arts should be able to do that for you.

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.

I would recommend picking up a snake at your local music shop. They are usually around $10.

Yes! Usually it is labeled on the valve.

Noooo

Levi Th Yes it does, they label the valves for a reason

Oh yeah yeah it does

I would highly recommend against that. Paper towels can scratch the soft metals of the instrument. I would use an old (clean) cloth

Shaun Schaefers Can wipe the grease off on the slides

Shaun Schaefers could you use a clean t shirt

After draining the bathtub/sink, I would let it air dry and use a soft towel/clean t-shirt to get any large areas of water dry.

Woo! Hopefully it could be of some help getting some trumpets cleaner

@@shaunschaefers yeah

Raina Lyles try cleaning a french horn

Good overall video...might wish to lay a towel down in the bottom of the tub. BtW, valve pistons are hollow, but the metal is not soft. They are plated with nickel alloys {including monel} or entirely stainless steel. The tunnels, generally brass are not so soft as to avoid cleaning with a soft brush. I do not recommend the use of toothpaste on the valves for students {or otherwise} as it is grit, which if not removed 100 %, will cause wear within the valve casing when reassembled. I fully agree that lint must be avoided and the valves, after soaking in a separate bowl of the same type solution of warm water and non - detergent dish soap ...get wiped down with a microfiber cloth. These are readily available for use with cleaning glasses and are non-scratching and lint free.

I would not use Vaseline

They are pretty cheap at your local music shop!

Be more specific and maybe I can help

@@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

@@stankbagel1265 I would bring it into a local music shop/repair person for more instruction. If it was lukewarm water it shouldn’t have done anything

Depends on how much time you put into when you play your trumpet after eating or drinking. Some people can get by with once a year, or once every 6 months.

Shaun Schaefers thanks!

DId you put slide grease on before or after (or not at all?) you put your first valve slide on?

What?