A
well maintained instrument increases “playability” and
enjoyment. Always remember that musical instruments are fine,
precision instruments and are easily bent or broken. Always treat
you instrument with utmost care.
Remember to:
All Instruments:
• Swab out the instrument every time you finish
playing.
•
Wipe fingerprints off the instrument to prevent damage to the finish.
•
Wipe
off the tenons to keep them clean and easy to assemble.
Clarinets & Saxophones:
• Remove the reed from the mouthpiece.
• Replace the
mouthpiece cap on the mouthpiece.
• Place your reed in its case.
•Clean your mouthpiece once
a week.
Saxophones only:
• Remove the mouthpiece from off the neck.
•Insert
end plug in body socket before placing saxophone in its case.
Flutes & Piccolos:
• Check for a loose tuning cork once a month.
•Never
store the swab inside the body of the flute.
Do not leave your instrument in your car.
Contact Summerhays Music’s professional Service & Repair
department if you have any questions about, or are in need of
service for your instrument.
You will need a
few items to assist you in keeping your instrument clean, well
lubricated,
and well
protected.
They
include:
*Bore oil for use on wooden instruments
only.
General Instrument Care
All points of friction in the key mechanism should be oiled regularly
with key oil. Apply it with a toothpick or a needle. This will
minimize wear, keep the key action in top shape, and eliminate
the possibility of screws rusting.
Always be very careful when assembling your instrument to hold
it in such a way that keys are not bent. Be especially careful
of keys that “bridge” across joints.
Always swab the moisture out
of the bore of the instrument with a swab each time you finish
playing. This will extend the life
of the pads and prevent unpleasant odors. Feathers will not wick
moisture and are not recommended.
Adjustment screws are for delicate adjustments of the mechanisms,
particularly in the care of flutes. THESE SHOULD NOT BE MOVED.
If you believe the instrument needs adjusting, see a certified
Summerhays Music repair technician.
Always remove the reed from
your mouthpiece or oboe after playing and store it in a reed
protector or case. The mouthpiece should
be cleaned off with a soft lint-free cloth, swabbed out, and
the cap replaced. The mouthpiece should be cleaned with lukewarm
water, liquid dishwashing soap, and a mouthpiece brush once a
week. NEVER use hot water to clean your mouthpiece.
Saxophone
Care
Never force the mouthpiece on the neck. If it seems to go together
too tightly, apply a little cork grease on the cork with the
tip of your finger then place the mouthpiece on the neck.
Cork grease should not be used
on the neck tenon. If it becomes difficult to place the neck
in the body, take the instrument
to a certified Summerhays repair technician to have it refit.
Clarinet & Oboe
Care
Never force cork joints together. If assembly of parts is difficult,
simply apply a little cork grease on the cork with the tip of
your finger and then put the joints together.
Never assemble an instrument
when the bell, body, or barrel rings are loose, as serious damage
may result.
In certain areas, wood instruments require special care because
of sensitivity to temperature and humidity. If you have a wood
instrument, you should consult with a Summerhays Music repair
technician as to the proper care of your instrument.
Flute & Piccolo
Care
Flutes & piccolos require little maintenance other than regular
cleaning. If the joints on your instrument become too tight or
too loose, or if it becomes difficult to tune, bring it to a
Summerhays Music repair technician to be properly inspected and/or
refit. CORK GREASE SHOULD NOT BE USED ON FLUTES.
To prevent tarnishing, fingerprints
should be wiped off the body and keys of silver instruments with
a clean lint-free cloth or
polishing cloth. Silver polishing cloths are available through
music stores and jewelers for this purpose. Be careful to avoid
rubbing the edges of the pad with the polishing cloth. Doing
so will damage the pads, making it necessary to replace them.
DO
NOT USE LIQUID OR PASTE POLISHES ON YOUR INSTRUMENT.
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