For those just starting out on the trumpet.
And to everyone who enjoys playing every day.
One day, out of the blue,
the pistons become stiff.
The slide won’t come out.
Days like that come without warning.
But really, it’s not sudden at all.
Your instrument has been giving you small signs for a long time.
Are you taking proper care of your trumpet?
When you first started playing,
you might feel anxious, thinking,
you might feel anxious.
But as you get used to your instrument,
you might think, “I’m tired today—it’s probably fine to skip swabbing just this once,”
and you just put it back in its case.
Both of these are common scenarios.
But those small, repeated actions gradually change the condition of your instrument.
The trumpet is an instrument that produces sound by blowing air into it.
Whenever you play, moisture inevitably builds up inside the instrument.
What happens if you leave it like that?
① It becomes difficult to blow air out
If moisture remains, it combines with dirt and becomes encrusted.
Dirt tends to accumulate even more in these caked-on areas, gradually narrowing the airflow passage.
You can’t see it from the outside.
However, changes are definitely taking place inside the instrument.
② Piston and slide movement becomes sluggish
Residual moisture also affects the metal. Rust and corrosion progress, hindering movement.
Even here at our shop, when we service newly arrived instruments, we sometimes encounter slide tubes that have seized up due to years of neglect.
Even a grown man pulling with all his might cannot pull them out. Maintenance is necessary before it gets to that point.
◯ Applying valve oil
Here are the items you’ll need
The piston is essentially the heart of the instrument.
If it doesn’t move smoothly, even the best embouchure won’t be able to produce the instrument’s full potential.
Remove the top cap, pull the piston out halfway, and apply 2–3 drops of oil to the surface of the piston.
If there is too little oil, metal parts will rub directly against each other, causing wear and scratches.
Conversely, if you use too much oil, excess oil may flow into the various slide tubes. This can cause grease or viscous oil to enter the valve casing, making the piston move sluggishly.
After lubricating, close the top cap and move the piston up and down 2–3 times to allow the oil to settle.
*If you insert the piston in the wrong direction, the air passage will be blocked and the instrument will stop producing sound. Check the position of the valve guide and ensure the piston is inserted in the correct orientation.
◯ Remove moisture from the tube
Items to use
Removing moisture after playing is the most important part of maintenance.
Moisture left inside the instrument’s bore binds with components in saliva and gradually hardens. This buildup creates roughness and attracts more dirt.
Pass the swab through slowly, without pulling too hard.
If it gets stuck, do not force it; calmly guide it back in.
*Avoid storing the swab inside the case with the instrument. This traps moisture and causes dirt to accumulate.
◯ Wipe away dirt from the instrument’s surface
Items to use
Use a cloth to wipe away fingerprints and dirt from the instrument’s surface.
* Especially in the summer, sweat from your hands tends to remain on the instrument’s surface. If left unattended, this can cause the plating to turn white, so be sure to wipe it down thoroughly.
◯Mouthpiece care
Items to use
Dirt tends to accumulate inside the mouthpiece more than you might think.
Dirt stuck inside the shank disrupts the flow of air.
Ideally, you should wash it with water and a brush, but on days when that’s difficult, using just a swab is fine. Running a swab through it will remove the dirt.
◯ Clean the slide tube
Here are the items you’ll need
Wrap gauze around the cleaning rod so that it is not exposed, and use it to remove dirt from the inside of the slide.
*Be careful: If the cleaning rod is exposed, it may scratch the instrument or, in the worst case, cause dents.
After cleaning, apply tuning slide oil to the 1st and 3rd slides, then slide them back and forth 2–3 times to work the oil in.
Use slide grease on the main tube and the 2nd slide.
Reasons for using slide grease and tuning slide oil separately
Slide tubes have parts that move during performance and parts that are generally kept stationary.
The lubricants are chosen based on these different functions.
◯ 1st and 3rd draw tubes
These are the slides that are moved during performance to control pitch.
Since they need to move lightly and quickly, tuning slide oil is used.
If grease is applied, the movement becomes sluggish, making it difficult to operate smoothly during performance.
◯ Main Tube and 2nd Slide
These parts are generally not meant to be moved during performance.
In fact, since it would be problematic if they moved on their own, grease is applied to provide moderate resistance and keep them stable.
If you apply oil, the tubes may become loose and shift out of place during performance.
◯ Clean the inside of the tube
Here are the items you’ll need
Before cleaning, remove any parts that can be detached from the instrument.
Prepare a Brass Soap solution, soak the brush of a flexible cleaner in it, and use it to clean the inside of the tubes. Once the dirt is removed, rinse the Brass Soap thoroughly with clean water.
When drying, use gauze or a towel to wipe gently to avoid scratching the surface, and ensure no moisture remains.
◯ Cleaning the valve casings
The items to use are the same as those used for cleaning the slide
If cleaning the tube body is difficult, clean the valve casing instead.
Wrap gauze around a cleaning rod and use it to remove dirt from inside the valve casing.
*Even the slightest amount of lint or dust left inside the valve casing can prevent the piston from moving smoothly, so be sure to remove it completely.
Wipe off any dirt from the piston with a tissue or similar. Then, carefully insert the piston into the valve casing, paying attention to its orientation, and apply enough valve oil to ensure it is evenly distributed throughout.
◯ Caring for the Instrument’s Surface
Items to use
Even if you polish a plated instrument thoroughly every day, it will gradually turn black as it reacts with oxygen in the air.
In such cases, we recommend a product called Silver Cleaner from Buzz.
This product contains cotton pads soaked in an alcohol-based solution; polishing the instrument body with these pads removes tarnish from the silver. Since it contains no abrasives, there is no risk of damaging the plating, and because you can simply tear off a piece of cotton and use it right away, maintenance is quick and easy.
Please come by and check them out for yourself!
What did you think?
I’d be happy if you felt, “This might not be as hard as I thought.”
When people think of instrument care, it often seems like it requires special skills from a professional shop, but in reality, it’s all about building up small habits over time.
You don’t have to try to do everything perfectly.
If you start with what you can do and tackle it properly, one step at a time, your instrument will surely respond.
Even so,
"Is this the right way to do it?"
“Is it okay to take it apart?”
“It feels like it’s not moving as smoothly as it used to…”
If you have any concerns like these, there’s no need to push yourself.
Even the smallest doubt is fine.
If you ever have any concerns, please feel free to consult me, Kikuchi.
I’m here to help ensure you enjoy your trumpet-playing life to the fullest.
Don’t keep your worries to yourself—please feel free to contact Okubo Gakki!
A quick note: While I’ve shared some simple trumpet care tips here, if you still have any concerns, please feel free to reach out to Kikuchi. I’m here to help ensure you can enjoy playing with peace of mind!
Author: Kikuchi (Okubo Gakki, Brass Instrument Repair Specialist) Ever since I joined the school band in middle school, I’ve dedicated myself entirely to this field.
Profile:
Graduated from the Wind Instrument Repair Course, Instrument Technology Department, ESP Entertainment Tokyo
Qualifications & Experience:
I have serviced over 2,000 brass instruments to date.
▶︎Articles
How to Enjoy Your Instrument for Years to Come: The Trumpet Edition
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