This is the final blog post in our series of instrument care tips for junior players (or their parents!). This week we are focusing on the following woodwind instruments: flute, clarinet, and saxophone and learning all about how to keep them in great condition!
The first and most important tip relates to storage. Your woodwind instrument should be stored in a well-insulated protective case. Do not store excess items or books in the case as they can cause damage to the instrument. You should always dry your instrument with a cloth before storing it in its case as excess moisture build up can cause corrosion. The inside of the instrument can be dried with a special swab or rod covered in a cloth. When you are assembling your instrument, never force it together. Forcing the parts together can cause damage to the instrument and even cause the tenons to become stuck. Avoid twisting keys while you are assembling or disassembling your instrument. Bent keys cause leaks and will affect how your instrument plays.
Each flute has a metal rod that is used for cleaning. Wrap a strip of cloth around the cleaning rod, making sure that the end of the rod is covered completely. Swab out each section of the flute after playing. The end of the head joint and the middle joint should be wiped free of dirt with a cloth to facilitate assembly of the instrument. A sticky pad is usually due to moisture or dirt. To clean the pads, place a piece of absorbent paper, such as lens paper for cleaning camera lenses, under the pad, close the key, and pull the paper through. To avoid sticky pads, don’t eat or chew gum before playing. As you put your flute in the case, carefully wipe off the outside of the flute to remove oils or perspiration caused by your hands.
Monthly care: Check all screws and pivots to see if they are coming loose. If they are, take your flute to a repair shop or your teacher to have them adjusted. It is not suggested that you try and adjust them yourself because they can be over tightened or cause the instrument to become out of adjustment. A small brush or pipe cleaner can be used to clean the dust and dirt from between the keys where a cloth won’t reach.
Yearly care: About twice a year the flute keys should be oiled. A small amount of high-grade key oil should be applied to the friction points in the mechanism. To avoid damage to the pads, immediately remove excess oil with a cloth. Apply the oil with the tip of a toothpick.
Special Note: Always keep your flute in its case when you are not playing it. Never put anything in your case that it was not designed to hold. The pressure from papers or music in your case can bend the rods and keys. Several times a year vacuum your case out. Keeping the case dust free will help keep the dust out of your instrument. Be sure to latch your case carefully.
When assembling your clarinet, if needed, apply a small amount of cork grease to the tenon corks. A sticky pad is usually due to moisture or dirt. To clean the pads, place a piece of absorbent paper, such as lens paper for cleaning camera lenses, under the pad, close the key, and pull the paper through. To avoid sticky pads, don’t eat or chew gum before playing. After each practice, use a swab to clear the moisture from the inside of your clarinet. Swab each section individually as you put your instrument away. Carefully wipe off the outside of the clarinet and the keys to remove oils and perspiration caused by your hands.
Monthly care: Check all screws and pivots to see if they are coming loose. If they are, take your clarinet to a repair shop or your teacher to have them adjusted. It is not suggested that you try and adjust them yourself because they can be over tightened cause the instrument to become out of adjustment. A small brush or pipe cleaner can be used to clean the dust and dirt from between the keys where a cloth won’t reach.
Yearly care: About twice a year the clarinet keys should be oiled. A small amount of high-grade key oil should be applied to the friction points in the mechanism. To avoid damage to the pads, immediately remove excess oil with a cloth. Apply the oil with the tip of a toothpick.
Special Note: Always keep your clarinet in its case when you are not playing it. Never put anything in your case that it was not designed to hold. The pressure from papers or music in your case can bend the rods and keys. Several times a year vacuum your case out. Keeping the case dust free will help keep the dust out of your instrument. Be sure to latch your case carefully.
When assembling your saxophone, if needed, apply a small amount of cork grease to the mouthpiece cork. A sticky pad is usually due to moisture or dirt. To clean the pads, place a piece of absorbent paper, such as lens paper for cleaning camera lenses, under the pad, close the key, and pull the paper through. To avoid sticky pads, don’t eat or chew gum before playing. After each practice, use a swab to clear the moisture from the inside of your saxophone. Swab each section individually as you put your instrument away. Carefully wipe off the outside of the saxophone and the keys to remove oils and perspiration caused by your hands.
Monthly care: Check all screws and pivots to see if they are coming loose. If they are, take your saxophone to a repair shop or your teacher to have them adjusted. It is not suggested that you try and adjust them yourself because they can be over tightened or cause the instrument to become out of adjustment. A small brush or pipe cleaner can be used to clean the dust and dirt from between the keys where a cloth won’t reach.
Yearly care: About twice a year the saxophone keys should be oiled. A small amount of high grade key oil should be applied to the friction points in the mechanism. To avoid damage to the pads, immediately remove excess oil with a cloth. Apply the oil with the tip of a toothpick.
Special Note: Always keep your saxophone in its case when you are not playing it. Never put anything in your case that it was not designed to hold. The pressure from papers or music in your case can bend the rods and keys. Several times a year vacuum your case out. Keeping the case dust free will help keep the dust out of your instrument. Be sure to latch your case carefully.