Have a new trombone that you want to keep playing well for years to come?
Here are 5 things we recommend you do:
Regular Cleaning
Slide Maintenance
Lubrication
Proper Storage
Regular Checkups
Want to shop for mutes, oils, cleaning supplies and more? You can find those here
Learn more about how each of these recommendations can help you extend the lifespan of your trombone below:
1. Regular Cleaning: Wiping down your trombone with a clean cloth each time you play and emptying your spit valves are good first steps, but nothing helps keep your trombone playing quite like a thorough cleaning of the inside. We recommend our Spiffy Kit complete with a snake brush, slide grease, slide cream, slide sprayer, polishing cloth, and mouthpiece brush to really scrub out all the moisture, dirt, and debris.
2. Slide Maintenance: Cleaning out your slides with a snake brush is the best way to keep the inside of your slides clean. If you start to notice your slides catching, scraping, or they just don't move as easily as usual try applying a bit of slide grease or lubricant to get them moving freely, or try wiping some off if it seems over-applied. While you're at it give them a quick lookover for any signs of damage that might need addressing by a technician. Even the smallest dents or dings to a trombone slide can make playing harder.
3. Lubrication: Your slides needs to run as smoothly as possible to ensure you can reach the right notes every time. Lubricate your slides as needed if you start feeling resistance, but don't over-lubricate them as this can gum up slides and require a professional cleaning. We love this lubricant and so do band directors.
4. Proper Storage: At home or on stage you may want to want use a trombone stand like this one for easy access, but if you're thinking about traveling with or storing your trombone you want to consider if you're looking for something lightweight, something durable, or something with extra storage for mutes, mouthpieces, or even another horn. We love this one. You want to keep your instrument as safe as possible.
5. Regular Checkups: Checkups are necessary to keep your trombone playing just the way you like it. Playing your trombone often, regular wear and tear, travel, and more can cause your instrument to fall out of adjustment and result in a buildup of debris inside the horn. Brass technicians take special care to chemically clean, scrub, remove dents, and can help address any concerns you may have.
We hope your new trombone brings you joy for years to come. Taking care of your instrument can be fun, fulfilling, and allow you to spend more time playing and less time in the repair shop.
Does your trombone need a good cleaning? Schedule a chemical cleaning