GVC Music

  • Home
  • Play!
    • Concert Bands >
      • Grade 9 Band
      • Grade 10 Band
      • Senior Band
    • Phthalo
    • Instrument Cleaning
  • Sing!
    • Concert Choirs >
      • Junior Choir
      • Intermediate Choir
      • Senior Choir
    • Vocal Jazz >
      • Reverb
      • Tonic
      • Inversions
    • Recording Guide
  • Musicals
    • Past Musicals >
      • Musical 2019: Grease
      • Musical 2016: Bye Bye Birdie >
        • Auditions
        • Cast List
        • Practice Tracks & more
  • Tours
    • Brandon Jazz Fest
    • Fundraising
    • Past Trips >
      • Senior Tour 2020: Edmonton
      • Senior Tour 2019 - Winnipeg
      • Senior Tour 2018: Quebec
  • Resources
    • Scales
    • Videos
    • Choir Blog!
  • Home
  • Play!
    • Concert Bands >
      • Grade 9 Band
      • Grade 10 Band
      • Senior Band
    • Phthalo
    • Instrument Cleaning
  • Sing!
    • Concert Choirs >
      • Junior Choir
      • Intermediate Choir
      • Senior Choir
    • Vocal Jazz >
      • Reverb
      • Tonic
      • Inversions
    • Recording Guide
  • Musicals
    • Past Musicals >
      • Musical 2019: Grease
      • Musical 2016: Bye Bye Birdie >
        • Auditions
        • Cast List
        • Practice Tracks & more
  • Tours
    • Brandon Jazz Fest
    • Fundraising
    • Past Trips >
      • Senior Tour 2020: Edmonton
      • Senior Tour 2019 - Winnipeg
      • Senior Tour 2018: Quebec
  • Resources
    • Scales
    • Videos
    • Choir Blog!

instrument Cleaning

The recommendations for cleaning are different for each instrument. It is suggested that these cleaning processes are to be carried out at home once a week for woodwind instruments and once a month for brass instruments.

​Remember to wash your hands before, during, and after cleaning and don't forget to also wash your cleaning cloths/swabs weekly. 
Flutes:
  • Use a soft, lint-free cloth with the cleaning rod to clean the inside of the each part of the instrument. I typically use a 12" x 12" piece of cotton. 
  • Alcohol wipes can be used on the lip plate or a cloth saturated with at least 70% isopropyl alcohol. 
  • It's critical the cork inside the top of the headjoint does not get wet! 
Clarinets
  • If you have a hard rubber mouthpiece, you can also use a solution of 50% water and 50% cleaning vinegar on the mouthpiece. (Let the mouthpiece stand in the solution for 15 minutes before rinsing and drying.) Use a small container where the mouthpiece can sit vertically, tip down, in the container so the cork does not get wet.  
Saxes:
  • If you have a hard rubber mouthpiece, you can also use a solution of 50% water and 50% cleaning vinegar on the mouthpiece. (Let the mouthpiece stand in the solution for 15 minutes before rinsing and drying.) Use a small container where the mouthpiece can sit vertically, tip down, in the container so the cork does not get wet.  
  • If you have a metal saxophone mouthpieces, you can use hot water with mild dish soap (not dishwasher detergent). 
  • Swab the inside of the saxophone neck using a swab or flexible bottlebrush after each use. ​
Brass:
  • To clean the outside of the mouthpiece, use warm water with mild dish soap (not dishwasher detergent). You can also use a mouthpiece brush to clean the inside of the mouthpiece. 
Strings:
  • Wipe the strings and unfinished finger and fret boards with at least 70% Isopropyl Alcohol.
GENERAL NOTES:
  • Isopropyl alcohol wipes are safe for most materials except hard rubber mouthpieces. 
  • A solution of 50% water and 50% cleaning vinegar can be used on plastic, hard rubber, and metal. ​
  • Do not get pads or corks wet as it can cause significant damage to the instrument and be costly to fix. 
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photo used under Creative Commons from wuestenigel