music instructors alike recog- nize the value of a clean in- strument and subscribe to the old ment's finish. Pull out all the slides ex- cept for the one with the water key, and let them soak. While the slides are soaking, take and means the sediment is coming c Sometimes the water may even i brown or blue-green. That's all rigl too and just means the water is i cliche, cleanliness is next to godliness. the water-key slide, turn it upside- dirty. However, many students are reluctant down, and put the open ends into the When all the slides are clean, to clean horns, offering such excuses water; no water should touch the them with a clean, soft rag. as inadequate time or concern about water key cork. Rub the unfinished t-shirts work better than terryclo damaging the horn. parts of the slide edges with wet because terrycloth flakes off into tin A quick and damage proof solution, fingers; the unfinished parts are dull pieces that can get inside the slid appropriate for everyone from stu- and do not have a shiny appearance. Dry the insides by first swabbing will dents to professionals, involves spend- If the slide is too long to effectively a rolled up rag and then shaking th ing just 45 minutes and is not only soak without getting the cork wet, use down as if you were shaking down i useful for tuba players, but will leave a water-soaked rag and swab it inside thermometer; this removes any exc any brass instrument clean and well- and out. This is a good method for water the rag did not reach. Finally,! oiled. If an instrument has not been very long or very short slides because dry the outside of the slide rememb cleaned recently it could take longer, it makes cleaning easier and acciden- ing to dry both sides of the U, insid but with regular maintenance, future tal submersion of the water-key im- and out. cleanings will take only 45 minutes possible. Turn the slides so that the and less than 30 minutes for smaller The slides in the basin should now ends face down. An upside-i instruments such as trumpets, or be finished soaking and can be cleaned milk crate with a towel underneatl those with few slides, like trombones. the same way the water-key slide was, works nicely for tuba slides, but a testf Before beginning several items are using either your fingers or a rag to tube rack or dish drainer is more i necessary: a bathtub, laundry basin, lightly rub off the grit. To clean inside propriate for smaller slides. The slai or sink; water; small, medium, and the slides, use plenty of water by sub- of the milk crate support the cur large pipe cleaners; several soft, absor- merging them, then dumping the edges and because the slides are su bent, clean rags; lanolin or commer- water out. For dirty slides, swab the pended, air gets to them and they c cial slide grease; commercial cork inside of the openings with a pipe faster; a towel under the crate grease; a test-tube rack or dish-drain- cleaner or soft bristled toothbrush catch the water drops. Do not ing tray; a soft-bristled toothbrush; making sure the pipe cleaner or tooth- slides on their sides or with the op commercial valve oil for rotary or brush is the appropriate size. Never ends pointing up because it will tab piston valves; a small saucepan or force objects that may get stuck into hours for them to dry. cup; and access to a stove or micro- the slides. Do not scrub too hard, as As the slides dry, drain the tub an wave. Measure the instrument to de- that can damage the slide and never run another inch of fresh water. Iff termine what size basin to use. A scrub the finished area; use only soft instrument has piston valves, remo family bathtub usually works best for rags because they are easier on the the valves and valve springs befoi tubas, trombones, or baritones, and plating. The slides are clean when the submerging the horn and balan the kitchen sink does the job for drops of water falling off the edges are them upright in the water so they \t tip over, being caref trumpets and bugles, depending on clear. Slides are U-shaped, so remem- the sink's size and the instrument's ber to clean both straight halves. the felt wet on the top of the shank, I bell length. Washtubs are not recom- Sometimes green or rust-colored cup or test-tube rack works well i mended for any instrument because spots remain on the unfinished parts this, depending on the size of thi they do not have a water hook-up of the slides. If this happens, use a wet valve-shank. Do not remove thi and tend to move. Water can also terrycloth rag to remove any lingering splash out creating another mess to sediment. Never use abrasive cleanser clean. With all supplies ready begin by or detergent to clean any part of the Guinevere S, Healy graduated putting an inch of room-temperature instrument as they can cause damag- Southwestern State University water in the basin. Make sure the ing scratches. Marshall, Minnesota with a Bachekr water temperature is comfortable for Do not be alarmed if your hands Arts degree in creative writing. She isi your hands because water that is too and the water turn black or green dur- tuba player and performs in variw hot or cold could damage the instru- ing slide cleaning. This is a good sign community bands. 38 THE INSTRUMENTALIST / NOVEMBER 1992 valves from rotary valve instruments; them, put the mouthpiece into the the notch on the valve chamber, slide take off only the valve-caps from the cooling water, and swab it with a pipe the valve in, and screw the valve cap base of the valve shanks. cleaner long enough that your hands on. Most instrument companies en- While the valves soak, put the horn do not touch the hot water. Let the grave numbers on the valve stems so gently in the water without striking water cool completely, remove the mix-ups are unlikely if you remember the instrument against the basin mouthpiece, and let it air-dry. By that number one is the valve where sides. A tuba is long, wide, and heavy now, about 25-35 minutes have passed. your index finger rests. After the so you may want to wear shorts and When the horn slides and valves are valves are all in place, depress them as hop in the bathtub with it, sitting on dry, begin to re-assemble it. If you are if playing a fast chromatic scale to the edge of the tub and bracing the impatient and the horn isn't com- assure even distribution of oil and back of the tuba with your left leg. pletely dry, use a fan to speed the pro- check valve action. In between clean- Tubas often do not fit all the way in cess, provided the fan is clean and will ings, oil piston valves every other day the tub and are cumbersome, so when water is involved, it pays to have all the leverage you can get. Piston-valved horns should soak not blow dust and other debris into the instrument. It is a matter of preference whether to put the slides or valves in first, but by unscrewing the valve cap, lifting the valve part-way out of its chamber, dropping some oil on, and screwing it back in. It is not necessary to remove t with the valves removed, but^take a the fact that there are many more the whole shank. different approach for those with ro- slides than valves often enters into the On instruments with rotary valves, tary valves. Partially submerge the decision to clear the work area faster. put one drop of oil in the dent of the horn, taking care the entire valve sys- With your index finger, cover the un- valve cap, one drop on the raised end tem remains above water, as water finished ends of the slides with a thin of the cylinder and the base of the can weaken or rot the corks and coating of lanolin or commercial slide valve, and screw the cap back on. strings causing them to break. Then grease, and rub away the excess with a Again, most companies label the caps. take a soft rag and clean the valve paper towel or rag. Never use Vase- Work the valves to distribute oil and frames and metal areas around the line, soap, W-D 40, or anything other check action, then put a drop of oil at valves, again taking care not to wet than lanolin or slide grease, as these the base of each valve-arm and where the corks or strings, bump the valve products can dry and create a crusty the valve-arm meets each connection. stems, or push the valve in an oppos- build-up causing the slides to stick. If the rotaries have cork stoppers, ing direction. When cleaning instru- When the slides are greased, gently apply some cork grease to keep them ments such as rotary-valve trumpets, slide them in, making sure they are in moist and supple. Do not substitute rotary-valve or trigger trombones, or the correct position. If the slides do Vaseline, slide grease, lanolin, or horns, it is better not to soak them at not line up right, do not pound on Chap-stick for cork grease as these all, because the valve mechanism is a them or force them in. Sometimes and other similar products can rot or large part of these instruments; just they just need more grease,, but they dry the cork causing it to flake off or wash the whole horn with a rag. Do may be in backwards or in the wrong split. Rotary valves and corks need not forget the bell. Wash it with a rag place. If you are unsure about place- daily care. Unscrew the valve cap and as if cleaning a punchbowl or other ment consult a music book with a dia- repeat the entire procedure. rounded or tapered dish. gram of the instrument. You can avoid oil and grease build- To clean the inside and slide-insert When the slides are all back in up on either instrument by periodically ends use an appropriately-sized pipe place, move on to the valves. If the in- wiping valves and caps with a soft rag cleaner with enough fuzz covering the strument has piston valves, drop the before oiling and using oil specific to wire, a rolled rag, or a soft-bristled springs into the casing first, then put the valve type. Rotary oil is lighter toothbrush, and swab the ends as you a few drops of piston valve oil in the than piston oil, and if you inter- did with the slides. Be careful not to shank, align the ridge on the top with change them, rotary oil may not do push the end of the pipe cleaner or toothbrush against the valve on ro- tary valve instruments as that can cause serious damage. Next remove the horn from the water and turn it end-over-end in the direction opposite the way the lead- pipe coils into the connecting pipes. Any excess water will drip out of the slide openings or the bell. If the water is discolored, repeat the bathing pro- cedure. If clear, dry all easy to reach areas then set the horn upright on the Please print: bell or put it in a stand to dry. Name As the horn is drying, boil some water and pour it into a cup or sauce- pan. While it cools for two minutes, take the valves and valve-caps out of the basin. They should be smooth State/Provinc and sediment-free but can be scrubbed Number of B lightly with a wet rag or soft tooth- brush if any debris remains. Dry The YAMAHA available f 40 THE INSTRUMENTALIST / NOVEMBER 1992 the job on pistons and piston oil can build up on rotaries, causing them to stick or clog. At this point you have reached the finale, but before this final step, clean up any disorder, especially if you used the family bathtub; most family mem- bers do not appreciate green rings in the tub. When all is as you found it, use a soft flannel rag to polish the horn, removing all fingerprints, smudges, and waterspots, leaving you with a completely clean and well-oiled instrument, D F.E. Olds Catalog F.E. Olds and Sons, Inc. released a new 16-page full-color catalog show- casing its line of 122 instruments. Olds manufactures instruments in Elkhart, Indiana and distributes them through their facility in Mountain- side, New Jersey (F.E. Olds and Sons, Inc., Distribution and Warranty Cen- Give a Subscription ter, P.O. Box 1130, Montainside, New Jersey.) to The Instrumentalist What Goes Around Comes Around If you have a 1966 Beatles recording of "Yesterday and Today" with the A perfect way to thank a colleague or student who cover featuring the group in butcher has helped make your job easier this year is a gift smocks, it can fetch $15,000 if it is in subscription to The Instrumentalist. For $22 ($29 out- mint condition. Although most old side the U.S.) you can give a one-year subscription albums depreciate in value, some col- lectible records are worth record that will be appreciated month after month, as each sums. The best prices are for rare new issue arrives. Use the attached card to place your rock, country and western, rhythm order, and we will send an attractive gift card with and blues, and jazz albums from the your holiday wishes to the recipient. 1950s and 1960s, but the records should be in near-mint condition. Among classical recordings some late Other gift ideas, for yourself or for others. 1950s Fritz Reiner with the Chicago Symphony or Arthur Fiedler and the Arnold Jacobs: The Legacy of a Master. Compiled Boston Pops command more than by M. Dee Stewart. Every brass player on your list $300. The advent of the compact disc has will love reading the comments and recollections of 33 not altered the value of collectible re- students and colleagues of the legendary tubist and cords. More valuable than the record teacher. 148 pages, $18, hardbound. itself, however, are single sleeves and album covers. Jerry Osborne pub- lishes Discoveries (P.O. Box 255, Port Philip Farkas: The Legacy of a Master. Compiled Townsend, Washington), a monthly by M. Dee Stewart. Every French horn player magazine for record collectors, and deserves this volume which looks at the man and his Goldmine magazine prints 26 issues annually (700 E. State Street, lola, career through the eyes of students, colleagues, and Wisconsin). Collectors often record friends. His reminiscences and excerpts from his albums on tape for listening to pre- writings are included. 168 pages, $18, hardbound. serve the recording in fine condition. The most ever paid for a single was $18,000 for the 1952 "I Can't Believe" Use the card in this issue or write to The Instrumentalist, by the Hornets, but a German collec- tor offered $20,000 for Elvis Presley's 200 Northfield Road, Northfield, Illinois, (708)446-5000 rare 1961 single, "Can't Help Falling in Love," issued in 33 r.p.m. format. Among compact discs Prince's "Black Album" brought $13,000 at a recent auction. 42 THE INSTRUMENTALIST / NOVEMBER 1992