How to Clean Your Trombone

Care After Playing Your Trombone

The most critical points of the trombone are the slides and the mouthpiece. When dirt or foreign matter of any kind is allowed to accumulate in these parts, it can hinder the ease of playing and adversely affect tone quality and intonation.

Cleaning the Slide

Drain interior moisture using the water key.

Wrap polishing gauze around a cleaning rod up to the end so that the metal tip of the rod is not exposed. Next, clean the insides of outer and inner slides. When you remove the cleaning rod, be careful not to leave any gauze inside the tube.

Caring for the Surface

After playing, wipe fingerprints and other marks off the outside of your instrument carefully with a soft, dry cloth. This removes perspiration that can damage lacquer and metal. Periodically you may use a damp cloth in order to remove water marks or other dirt. (Usually done while washing the instrument.) Never use metal polish to clean your trombone as it may damage the lacquer and expose the raw brass to air, which will cause it to tarnish.

Washing Your Mouthpiece

Create a solution from brass soap and water (in a ratio of 10 to 15 parts warm water (30-40ºC) to one part brass soap). Soak the mouthpiece brush in the brass soap-water solution. Next, insert the mouthpiece brush in the mouthpiece throat to clean it. Rinse with clean water.

Weekly Maintance

Cleaning Tuning Slides

Wrap polishing gauze around a cleaning rod up to the end so that the metal tip of the rod is not exposed. Next, clean the insides of the inner and outer slides. When you remove the cleaning rod, be careful not to leave any gauze inside the tube.

Clean the surface of the tuning slide with gauze. Next, apply a small amount of slide grease. Work the slide back and forth several times so that the grease is spread over the entire length.

Caring for the Rotary Valve

Apply rotor oil to the rotor from the slide receiver end.

Remove the rotary valve cap, then apply a small amount of rotor spindle oil to the rotary center and the area supporting the shaft.

Also apply small amounts of rotor spindle oil to the rotor rotation shaft and bearing. After applying the oil, tighten the cap and move the lever so that the oil works in.

Apply a small amount of lever oil to the shaft bearing on the lever brace.

Cleaning the Small Spaces

Form polishing gauze into a rope shape for use in cleaning. Be sure to carefully clean even the smallest spaces.

Cleaning the Water key Hole

Use a tone hole cleaner to clean the water key hole.

Monthly Care

Cleaning the Body

Your trombone may be cleaned in a tub of warm (NEVER HOT) soapy water. Regular dish soap is ideal. Follow these steps:

Remove the tuning slide from the bell and place both pieces in the water. Use the snake (long flexible brush) to clean inside all the tubing. Rinse thoroughly with clean warm water. Drain excess water from both pieces and place them on a towel.

Separate the hand slide (inside and outside sections) and place in the water. Use the snake to clean inside all the tubes (Figure 5). Rinse thoroughly with clean warm water. Drain excess water from the slides and place them on a towel. The outside of the inner slide should be wiped clean with a piece of dry lint-free cloth.

Use a clean soft cloth to dry the surface of all the pieces.

Apply a thin coating of tuning slide grease to the main tuning slide and reinsert it into the bell section. Work the tuning slide in and out a few times to distribute the grease. Wipe off any excess grease with a soft cloth.

Reapply a few drops of slide oil to the inside tubes and reassemble the slide.

Important Tips

Always hold a trombone by the outside slide brace when not playing. This will keep the slide from accidentally falling to the floor.

Never strike or bump the slide as even a minor dent will impair its action.

If your mouthpiece becomes stuck, DO NOT try to remove it yourself, take it to a repair technician. There is a special tool used to remove stuck mouthpieces. Trying to remove a stuck mouthpiece with pliers will not free the mouthpiece and will result in costly repairs.

If the shank (small end) of the mouthpiece becomes dented, it may not fit into the receiver properly and may cause it to become stuck. A qualified technician can easily repair this problem.

Check the cork on the water-key periodically for wear and have it replaced as necessary. A leaky water-key makes your instrument hard to play and affects the tone and tuning.

Periodically, your trombone will need to be chemically cleaned in a repair shop in order to remove buildup that can not be cleaned by regular washing.