Guidelines for Instrument Care
From “Standard of Excellence” Band Method Books
Flute
*After playing, swab your flute with a clean cloth attached to a cleaning rod.
*Carefully put your flute away. Remember to latch the case.
Oboe
*After playing, remove the reed and blow out the excess water. Place it in the reed holder to dry.
*Carefully take your oboe apart. Clean the upper joint with a swab. Put the swab in the large end of the lower joint and pull the swab through.
*Dry each joint, and then wipe the outside of your oboe with a soft, clean cloth. Carefully put away all parts of your oboe and latch your case.
Bassoon
*After playing, remove the reed and blow out the excess water. Place it in the reed holder to dry.
*Shake and blow the excess water out of the bocal before storing it. Remove each joint and carefully swab each one out.
*Dry each joint, and then wipe the outside of your bassoon with a soft, clean cloth. Carefully put away all parts of your bassoon and latch your case.
Clarinet
*After playing, remove the reed. Place it in the reed holder to dry.
*Carefully take your alto or bass clarinet apart. Swab out your instrument. Remove the mouthpiece and wipe the inside with a soft, clean cloth.
*Dry each joint, and then wipe the outside of your alto or bass clarinet with a soft, clean cloth. Carefully put away all parts of your instrument and latch your case.
Tenor/Baritone Saxophone
*After playing, remove the reed. Place it in the reed holder to dry.
*Remove the mouthpiece and wipe the inside with a soft, clean cloth. Remove the neck and drain any excess water from the neck before putting it back in the case.
*Swab out the body by dropping the weight into the bell and pulling it through (tenor only). Wipe the outside of your saxophone with a soft, clean cloth. Carefully put away all parts of your saxophone and latch your case.
French Horn/Trumpet /Trombone/Euphonium/Tuba
*After playing, drain the excess water from your horn. Wipe off your instrument with a soft, clean cloth.
*Remove the mouthpiece and put it and your horn carefully in the case and latch it.
*Grease your slides regularly. Oil valves as needed.
From “Standard of Excellence” Band Method Books
Flute
*After playing, swab your flute with a clean cloth attached to a cleaning rod.
*Carefully put your flute away. Remember to latch the case.
Oboe
*After playing, remove the reed and blow out the excess water. Place it in the reed holder to dry.
*Carefully take your oboe apart. Clean the upper joint with a swab. Put the swab in the large end of the lower joint and pull the swab through.
*Dry each joint, and then wipe the outside of your oboe with a soft, clean cloth. Carefully put away all parts of your oboe and latch your case.
Bassoon
*After playing, remove the reed and blow out the excess water. Place it in the reed holder to dry.
*Shake and blow the excess water out of the bocal before storing it. Remove each joint and carefully swab each one out.
*Dry each joint, and then wipe the outside of your bassoon with a soft, clean cloth. Carefully put away all parts of your bassoon and latch your case.
Clarinet
*After playing, remove the reed. Place it in the reed holder to dry.
*Carefully take your alto or bass clarinet apart. Swab out your instrument. Remove the mouthpiece and wipe the inside with a soft, clean cloth.
*Dry each joint, and then wipe the outside of your alto or bass clarinet with a soft, clean cloth. Carefully put away all parts of your instrument and latch your case.
Tenor/Baritone Saxophone
*After playing, remove the reed. Place it in the reed holder to dry.
*Remove the mouthpiece and wipe the inside with a soft, clean cloth. Remove the neck and drain any excess water from the neck before putting it back in the case.
*Swab out the body by dropping the weight into the bell and pulling it through (tenor only). Wipe the outside of your saxophone with a soft, clean cloth. Carefully put away all parts of your saxophone and latch your case.
French Horn/Trumpet /Trombone/Euphonium/Tuba
*After playing, drain the excess water from your horn. Wipe off your instrument with a soft, clean cloth.
*Remove the mouthpiece and put it and your horn carefully in the case and latch it.
*Grease your slides regularly. Oil valves as needed.