Low Brass Care and Maintenance
Adam’s Music rents low brass instruments for musicians from beginners to professionals. We have a wide range of rental instruments suitable for players at any level, and for all budgets. No matter how much your rental instrument costs, Adam’s Music ensures it is in good working order before you take it home. Use these handy care and maintenance tips to keep your instrument looking and sounding great.
Assembly
Pick up the instrument
Grasp the instrument and remove it from its case. Always store your instrument in its case when not in use.
Insert the moutpiece
Insert the mouthpiece into the mouthpipe. Use a gentle twisting motion to secure the mouthpiece in the assembly. Do not force the mouthpiece into the pipe if it does not fit.
Disassembly
Remove excess moisture
First, gently blow into the mouthpiece while operating the water keys to remove excess moisture. Then remove the mouthpiece and wipe it down with a cloth. Store the mouthpiece in its case when finished.
Clean the body
Take a clean cloth and wipe down the body of the instrument to remove dust and fingerprints. Place your instrument in its case and secure the latches.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Unscrew the top valve cap
Unscrew the top valve cap and gently pull the piston assembly. Do not remove the valve from the valve casing.
Apply valve oil
Apply a small amount of valve oil to the exposed valve.
Insert the valve
Gently insert the valve into the casing. Make sure the valve is properly aligned once inserted. The valve will be locked into position if the valve and the valve guide are properly aligned. Screw in the valve cap.
Depress the valve
Depress the piston several times to ensure the lubricant is spread evenly over the valve. Repeat these steps on each valve.
Be Careful !
Your low brass instrument was designed and built to make beautiful music, and to last for many years. While your low brass instrument is sturdy and made from durable materials, it’s not designed to work if it’s neglected or abused. There are also many moving parts that can become stuck if not handled properly. Here are some dos and don’ts of proper low brass care:
- Apply valve oil regularly
- Store your instrument in its case when not in use
- Clean your instrument after handling
- Properly align the valve guides after applying valve oil
- Do not rest the instrument anywhere it can fall over
- Do not force the mouthpiece into the mouthpipe
- Do not over-tighten the valve caps
- Do not leave your instrument in a car or expose it to extreme temperatures
- Do not try to fix stuck valves yourself
If There's a Problem
Adam’s Music wants you to enjoy your low brass instrument. Our maintenance and care tips will help keep your low brass instrument in excellent playing shape. If you have a problem with your instrument, don’t try to fix it yourself. Contact Adam’s Music for instructions. Remember, we’re your friendly neighborhood music store in West Los Angeles.
Click here for a printable PDF version of the Adam’s Music Low Brass Care and Maintenance Page