Woodwind Woodwind Instrument Instrument

MaintenanceMaintenanceBy Keren & Michael BarrBy Keren & Michael Barr

North Georgia Band Instrument ServiceNorth Georgia Band Instrument Service

General Woodwind General Woodwind MaintenanceMaintenance

Moisture is the most destructive Moisture is the most destructive thing to a woodwind instrumentthing to a woodwind instrument

Woodwinds MUST be swabbed each Woodwinds MUST be swabbed each time the instrument is played time the instrument is played regardless of timeregardless of time

Woodwind SwabsWoodwind Swabs

Use an instrument-specific swabUse an instrument-specific swab Using a swab that is too large can Using a swab that is too large can

damage the bore of the instrument or damage the bore of the instrument or get stuckget stuck

Do not leave a “leave in the horn” Do not leave a “leave in the horn” type swab in the horn!type swab in the horn! Typically made of nylon or some type of Typically made of nylon or some type of

polymer – NON-ABSORBENT!polymer – NON-ABSORBENT!

Woodwind MaintenanceWoodwind Maintenance

Gently wipe down the finish of the Gently wipe down the finish of the instrument with a finish-specific cloth instrument with a finish-specific cloth once per weekonce per week Pledge furniture polish is an excellent Pledge furniture polish is an excellent

cleaner for lacquered instrumentscleaner for lacquered instruments NEVER use alcohol to clean a plastic NEVER use alcohol to clean a plastic

instrument or mouthpieceinstrument or mouthpiece

Woodwind MaintenanceWoodwind Maintenance

Apply key oil lightly at all key pivot Apply key oil lightly at all key pivot points monthlypoints monthly

Saliva is FAR more destructive to Saliva is FAR more destructive to woodwind bores and pads than light woodwind bores and pads than light rainrain Dry thoroughly after exposure to rainDry thoroughly after exposure to rain

Woodwind MaintenanceWoodwind Maintenance

Do not use excessive cork grease on Do not use excessive cork grease on tenon and neck corkstenon and neck corks Consider switching to paraffin wax Consider switching to paraffin wax

instead of grease – less damaging to instead of grease – less damaging to corkscorks

Thoroughly rinse mouth between Thoroughly rinse mouth between eating and playing a horn!eating and playing a horn!

DO NOT store anything other than DO NOT store anything other than the instrument and its mouthpiece in the instrument and its mouthpiece in an instrument case!an instrument case!

Woodwind MaintenanceWoodwind Maintenance

Check the instrument case monthly to Check the instrument case monthly to ensure that the latches, hinges and ensure that the latches, hinges and handle(s) are in proper working orderhandle(s) are in proper working order

DO NOT turn screws on an instrument DO NOT turn screws on an instrument unless you know what that screw does!unless you know what that screw does!

Have your instrument serviced yearly Have your instrument serviced yearly by a qualified band instrument repair by a qualified band instrument repair techniciantechnician

Flute MaintenanceFlute Maintenance

Keep tenons and Keep tenons and sockets clean with sockets clean with alcoholalcohol

Check the seal and Check the seal and position of the position of the head cork oftenhead cork often Use suction testUse suction test

Flute MaintenanceFlute Maintenance

Do not attempt to polish a silver flute Do not attempt to polish a silver flute yourself – polishing cloths and silver yourself – polishing cloths and silver polishing chemicals will damage the polishing chemicals will damage the padspads

A standard (non-silver) cleaning cloth A standard (non-silver) cleaning cloth can be used to remove fingerprints, can be used to remove fingerprints, oil and dirt from the instrumentoil and dirt from the instrument Cloth MUST be kept clean – silk is Cloth MUST be kept clean – silk is

excellent for this purposeexcellent for this purpose

Clarinet/Oboe Clarinet/Oboe MaintenanceMaintenance

Keep tenons well lubricatedKeep tenons well lubricated Watch for bridge mechanism(s) Watch for bridge mechanism(s)

during assemblyduring assembly Check weekly for loose socket and Check weekly for loose socket and

bell ringsbell rings DO NOT play an instrument with loose DO NOT play an instrument with loose

ringsrings

Clarinet/Oboe Clarinet/Oboe MaintenanceMaintenance

On wooden instruments have the On wooden instruments have the bore checked yearly for cracks, leaks bore checked yearly for cracks, leaks and proper lubricationand proper lubrication Have cracks addressed IMMEDIATELY – Have cracks addressed IMMEDIATELY –

do not play a cracked instrumentdo not play a cracked instrument Do not expose wooden instruments Do not expose wooden instruments

to extreme temperature / humidity to extreme temperature / humidity changeschanges

Saxophone MaintenanceSaxophone Maintenance

Keep neck tenon and socket cleanKeep neck tenon and socket clean Keep neck cork well-lubricatedKeep neck cork well-lubricated Check guard screws weeklyCheck guard screws weekly Always use a neckstrap with all Always use a neckstrap with all

saxophones to prevent damage to saxophones to prevent damage to the bottom bow the bottom bow

Bassoon MaintenanceBassoon Maintenance

When assembling the instrument be When assembling the instrument be careful not to damage the whisper careful not to damage the whisper key pad and bridgekey pad and bridge

Keep tenon and bocal corks / threads Keep tenon and bocal corks / threads well lubricatedwell lubricated

Check guard and bracket screws Check guard and bracket screws weeklyweekly

Mouthpieces and ReedsMouthpieces and Reeds

Discard any mouthpiece or reed with Discard any mouthpiece or reed with a chip or cracka chip or crack

Clean mouthpieces weekly with soap, Clean mouthpieces weekly with soap, water and a mouthpiece-specific water and a mouthpiece-specific brushbrush

DO NOT leave ligatures and reeds on DO NOT leave ligatures and reeds on a mouthpiecea mouthpiece

Check metal ligatures weekly for Check metal ligatures weekly for signs of damagesigns of damage