2. Regular instrument cleaning and maintenance is
essential to keeping them in proper working condition.
It is advisable to have your instruments inspected and
serviced by a professional on regular basis. The
inspection is quite important because you will know
whether or not your instruments need to be cleaned.
3. To begin with, you should keep your instruments away
from moisture. This is vital because some instruments
like those made of brass and nickel can corrode if
exposed to excess moisture. Also, wooden ones are
likely to expand and later split after absorbing excess
water. For that reason, you need to keep their surfaces
dry at all times. Use a piece of cloth to wipe out any
water deposits on the surfaces of the instruments.
4. Woodwind instruments have pads that cover the holes
in the body in order to be able to produce different
tones. If such pads absorb moisture, they become
bloated and may fail to cover the tone holes properly.
This may lead to low quality tones. If you want your
instrument to produce the best tones, make sure that
such pads are always dry.
5. Body Acids can also cause harm to your instruments.
Perspiration from hands leads to production of some
acids that can affect metals. Such acids may include
lactic, traces of hydrochloric acid, among others. Some
of the perspiration is alkaline but may be harmful just
like the acids. You should keep the instruments free
from perspiration by cleaning them regularly. Consider
wiping out all the perspiration after using the
instrument.
6. The saliva from the mouth also contains some acids that
may attack metal. For instance, carbonic acid is usually
present in the saliva. Other acids are also formed in the
mouth depending on the kind of food eaten and the
hygienic condition of the mouth. Soft solder is affected
by acids from saliva. Areas that are soldered can be
eaten out entirely by these saliva acids. That is why the
inside of musical instruments should be cleaned
thoroughly in order to remove these acids.
7. Some people use water instead of oil to lubricate their
instruments. Note that water contains some salts. These
salts form white substances on the pistons and slides of
musical instruments and act as abrasives. They can
cause wearing out metals such as chromium and nickel.
Examples of such salts include calcium and magnesium.
If you live in areas where water is salty or hard, consider
using distilled water to lubricate rotary valves and new
pistons.
8. Foreign matter can also affect the quality of sound
produced by musical instruments. A surprising amount
of foreign materials and that accumulate in wind
instruments can cause blockage if not cleaned out. This
could also be unhealthy because the food materials can
enter into your lungs and cause some health
complications.
9. Corrosion may also attack the piston valves of your
musical instruments. Foreign substances are also likely
to accumulate in the piston valves rendering them
inefficient. If dirt builds up in these pistons, the entire
instrument may not work properly. You must ensure that
all the dirt is removed for the instruments to be
efficient. Consider looking for an instrument cleaning
professional to do the work on your behalf.
