Today, we have something special lined up – a trumpet cleaning tutorial that’s not only informative but also super easy to follow.
Whether you’re an enthusiast trumpet player or a seasoned pro, this guide has got you covered.
Stay tuned for the next 5 minutes, and let’s explore the art of maintaining your trumpet.
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Trumpet material
Before we delve into the cleaning process, it’s crucial to understand that not all trumpets are created equal. Gold, silver – each material requires specific care. Always refer to your trumpet’s certificate to ensure the right treatment.
Whether it’s a 400€ or 10000 € trumpet, we’ve all asked ourselves at least once: “How should I clean the trumpet without ruining it?”
First you need to know that when cleaning the trumpet externally it is always a good idea to use special products; avoid homemade’s remedies!
I’ve read some absurd things while browsing the internet. I’ll spare you the torture!
To clean your trumpet you essentially need two things:
A suitable cloth and a spray/cream with degreaser function.
Treat your trumpet to a spa day with these specialized fabrics.
Cotton clothes are used for silver trumpets.
Personally I am happy with the cloths that are sold on Thomann. The cloth I have is the previous version of this one and cost around €4 while this yellow costs around €6. This version is suitable for silver trumpets.
When to use it? At the end of each practice session, wipe the cloth carefully over the trumpet.
Microfiber for gold trumpets
And finally, if you need to clean a golden trumpet, here is the cloth for you!
The Hagerty brand produces cloths for cleaning gold.
Once again I invite you to avoid all those unorthodox, homemade methods for cleaning musical instruments.
Trumpet cleaning cloths, if used every day, last more than a year. So my advice is to invest 6 euros a year to keep your horn clean and prevent it from oxidizing.
If you don’t use the trumpet every day, the cloth could last you for several years! If you need to do a more thorough external cleaning of your instrument, whether it is silvered or lacquered, you can use spray or pastes.
Deep Cleaning Session (for all trumpets)
For those looking to go the extra mile, consider investing in cleaning pastes and creams. These products are game-changers for maintaining that pristine, shiny finish.
For all lacquered instruments you can use the spray.
Basically, at the end of each practice session, if your trumpet is not silver or even gold you can use this spray at a distance of about 40 cm. Let 30 seconds pass and then wipe the instrument with a microfiber cloth.
For all trumpets except golden ones
For gold trumpets
When you use pastes the process is very simple. First of all you have to clean up with soap and water (neutral PH is recommended). Then dry the trumpet with a normal microfiber cloth. At this point, spread a little cream on the surface of the trumpet using the sponge provided; be careful not to get your hands dirty.
Finally let the product have its effect and after about 60-90 seconds wet the sponge and begin to remove the cream which in the meantime will have solidified on the instrument. Only now, with the instrument still slightly damp, you can use the relevant cloth to clean the instrument.
Internal cleaning
Cleaning the trumpet internally is certainly the most complex and time-consuming part. Be patient, is necessary. First proceed with the disassembly of the trumpet. Prepare at least two bowls: one for the removed components and a bigger one (even the bathtub itself) for the main body. Fill both containers with warm, soapy water. It is important, if possible, not to get the piston felt pads wet. If they are made of rubber, no problem. At this point you can start!
Let’s start from the leadpipe
First start by cleaning the main body of the trumpet. Get the snake brush with the long cord and run it into the main blowpipe. Then use the larger sponge brushes to get inside the pistons, while the smaller brush is need to clean the mouthpiece.
Isn’t working out?
If you notice that there is still dirt inside the slides and the leadpipe then you need to try something more invasive. Repeat the previous operation with this snake brush.
Always do these operations while keeping everything soapy. This way you will increase the chances that the encrustations will dissolve in the meantime.
At this point, the trumpet should be completely clean. If this is not the case, unfortunately, there’s nothing more you can do. Attempting to remove the deposits will inevitably lead to the crumbling of the metal parts, resulting in aeration when you play the instrument. Needless to say, this is a foolish behaviour and should be avoided at all costs as it can cause serious harm to your health!
What to do then? In this case, the only thing you can do is to request an ultrasonic treatment. Thanks to this treatment, all impurities inside the trumpet are removed, and any damage to the instrument can be solved directly by a qualified craftsman.
Clean the mouthpiece
This is one of those things that’s so simple and that’s precisely the reason why no one ever does it!
Cleaning the mouthpiece every time you finish using it is essential! Use the appropriate brush and give it a quick wash with soap and water.
1- You’ll play better
2- At least a part of the trumpet will always be clean.
Why do we have to clean the trumpet?
I get it, maybe you’re one of those who loves going out for dinner, having drinks, and then playing the trumpet! Well, you are like me!
The only difference? Simple. If you don’t keep your instrument clean, over time, it’ll become increasingly challenging to stay in tune, produce a beautiful sound, and transitioning from the low to high register. All instruments are designed to be played in optimal conditions! Would you ever try a Ferrari on a soccer field? Of course not! Would you use your kitchen sink as a swimming pool? Definitely not! So why expect your instrument to sound good if it’s clogged inside, forcing the air you blow to constantly deflect from side to side? As long as the diameter of the various ‘pipes’ remains RIGHT, the instrument will sound as it should. But if the diameter starts to narrow due to dirtiness, the instrument won’t function properly!
Common errors when cleaning the trumpet
When cleaning your trumpet, pay close attention to three main things:
1- Use the right cleaning products.
2- Be careful not to dent any part of the instrument.
3- Reassemble the instrument correctly.
Regarding cleaning products, you probably already know what to use. When I mention being careful not to dent the instrument, that also applies to the mouthpiece! A hit might not be fatal, but a hit in the wrong spot can compromise its resonance—meaning, the instrument is gone!
Lastly, it might seem obvious, but have you ever paid attention to the position of the slides? The piston springs? Everything has a specific direction. When disassembling, use a camera to record a video for reference in case you forget the order of assembly.
When should I clean the trumpet?
That’s the end of the article! How often should you clean your trumpet? Well, first of all, after each use, wipe it with the appropriate cloth (gold, silver, or various metals). For persistent tarnish on silver or gold, use creams or pastes. This may occur after months or years, depending on the quality and age of the trumpet.
Internal cleaning depends on usage. Clean the mouthpiece after each use; internal cleaning for the trumpet follows logically but doesn’t need to be done every week or so. My advice is to clean the trumpet internally after about 15-20 uses or once every six months if you play it a few times a month.
Thanks for reading the article. If you found it interesting, let us know and share it with other trumpet players.
See you soon, Davide
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