Water Keys: Trumpet Instrument Repair 

Minutes before a performance, we were sitting in a crowded auditorium (along with the audience since there was no other place to stay) with seats close together, and me conveniently being a tuba player squashed in the middle of the row. When we were getting ready to get on stage, I stood up with my tuba, *SNAP*. I had no idea what it was but decided to just leave the auditorium and figure it out later. We were standing outside the doors to the stage and I was inspecting everything, had no idea what it was. Turned out the spit valve for my 4th valve (which is essential for CC tubas) was broken in half, the lever portion fell off under the seats. When we were on stage and just about ready to play, I signaled to one of the people in the audience who I knew (also a tuba player) and used masking tape to keep it from opening. It was a show for the audience, before the show... ah good times :)

Really great instructional video, nice easy style of conveying information, especially with improvising on the spot with material at hand.

I like these army dudes, they are useful, and resourceful.

You make a very valid point sir. If it is possible to do the correct repair the first time, then by all means make it happen! Not every scenario allows for such luxuries. We are just offering some simple tips that might help you through until you can get to the repair kit or professional.

This is so useful. I have an old trumpet that I use for marching band that's literally falling apart at the seams. But it's not worth going And getting it repaired, because I have a good horn for concert. So theseare just brilliant videos

I was in a parade once and this happened and I ended up ripping paper from my sheet music and placing that in! Let me tell you, surprisingly, it worked like a charm! :D

you helped me fix my old trumpet ....... thank you :-)

Fantastic ideas; I will definitely carry around a hair band in my trumpet case, and maybe some PTFE tape/ putty if I can find it too.

Great tips for simple repairs to get through a gig. He says to make sure to get the repair done correctly by a tech as soon as possible. The comments that accuse him of not doing it "Right" or it's "terrible idea" don't get that these are temporary fixes, done in a hurry, if you don't have the proper parts on hand. Geez. If your in a parade and break a waterkey spring it'll be easier to find a rubber band than the "right" part. No?

Wow, I can actually play my trumpet whithout holding my hand against the spit valve! :) The spring is broken :( Good video! (Y)

I finally realized that the theme song is accordion because the repairman is an accordion player. Ha... that one stung

My water key came off. Yeah it was hard. Got help from other people so got it back on

Best summary: "It... It works."

what if the metal cylinder that runs through the water key (to keep it in place) comes out, and the water key falls of entirely?

What did u do in the military

Any kind of rubber band placed around a water key is a terrible idea, especially on plated instruments as the plated finish will blacken permanently where the rubber has been in contact with the instrument. (i know yours was lacquered, but not all brass instruments are lacquered) I service and repair my brass bands instruments and i can't stress how important it is that you do not put any kind of rubber band on your instrument. Two of our players did this and ruined the finish on a Euphonium and a EEb Tuba, please don't use rubber bands at all.

I'd think anyone that happens to have silly putty, teflon tape etc on hand might want to consider at least having a spare cork, if not a spring on hand. I have to wonder what the super ball test is all about as it's non specific and doesn't tell you where the leak is. Perhaps some thought might be given to simply removing the slide, blocking one end with a finger and blowing in it.This video defies any logic or common sense, sorry.