Keeping your trumpet valves properly oiled is essential for smooth playability and long-term instrument health. Sticky valves or stuck valves can screw up your performance and lead to costly repairs if neglected. This complete guide on how to oil trumpet valves will help you master the valve oiling process, ensuring your trumpet plays with ease and clarity every time.
Step-by-Step process for oiling trumpet valves
Here is what you will find in our guide
Materials
What do you need, what oil to use
How often to oil trumpet valves
Based on your needs we will find out the frequency
Step by step guide
Removing, cleaning, applying oil, aligning valves
Common mistakes to avoid
Tips for valves maintenance
1 – Materials
Before you begin, ensure you have high-quality valve oil, valves brushes and a clean, lint-free cloth.
For example as you see in the video, I use Hetman oil number 2 and number 3. But I also use other oils depending on how old is the trumpet. The older the trumpet, the thicker the oil should be.
I also use sponge brushes to clean inside the valves, this will allow me to keep everything clean and avoid screwing up the valves.
2 – Step by step process
2.1 – Remove the valves
Great, so first of all let’s be sure that you are gonna remove the valves correctly.
As you see from the video you need to unscrew the valves from the upper cap.
Procede gently, valves are very delicate.
2.2 – Clean the valves
Well done, now it’s the time to clean the valves first with water and the sponge brush; then you can dry it up with the cloth.
Be sure that you are using a lint free cloth, like a microfibre one!
2.3 – Apply oil to the valves
We are almost done, now it’s the time to apply the oil. I remember you that just a few drops of oil are enough. How many?
I usually oil the valves with 3-4 drops of oil! That’s more than enough!
2.4 – Reinsert the valves
Perfect, now find the number on the valve and position it so it faces the mouthpiece. It should be perpendicular. Slowly insert the valve and gently start screwing it back into place, making sure not to rotate or twist it awkwardly.
3 – How often to oil trumpet valves
It all depends on how often you play the trumpet!
Usually, for a hobby player, consider to oil the valves at least once every two weeks or after 16\20 hours of practicing. For example, as a professional trumpet player, I oil the trumpet almost every other day. That’s obvious right? When I play in the orchestra I’m playing for 6\8 hours a day, so after a couple of days I need to oil it again, and sometimes even everyday.
But if you play the trumpet a few times a week, let’s say 4-5 hours a week, it will be fine to oil once every two weeks.
In general when you feel that the valves are going down to slow, that’s the time to oil them.
4 – Common mistakes to avoid
There are some very common mistakes that we want to avoid.
– First of all: NEVER try to force valves when they are stuck. As you see from the video there are some ways to unstack valves.
– ALWAYS use the right oil! NEVER use other kind of oils. ONLY oils for trumpet.
– NEVER rotate the valves inside the pistons otherwise you will ruin them, creating scratches.
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