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Instrument cleaning and Maintenance

  • Students will need the following items to clean their instruments after each use.
  • Not cleaning your instruments properly will cause water buildup, leading to mold, mildew, and damage to the instrument ($$)
  • Proper instrument care is just as important as learning how to play your instrument well

The linked items are just an example. You may purchase them at other stores, online or in person.

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Flute maintenance supplies

Cleaning Rod

Flute Cleaning Swab

  • This can be any very thin, silk-like swab. If it is thick it will get stuck in the flute.

COVID Sanitation for Flute

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Oboe / Bassoon maintenance supplies

Reeds

  • Jones Medium, Singing Dog Reed

Double Reed Case

  • This will significantly prolong the life of reeds (and save $$)
  • Oboe Reed Case, Bassoon Reed Case

Cleaning Swab

  • Oboe Swab
  • Bassoon Swab

Cork Grease

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Clarinet / Bass Clarinet maintenance supplies

Silk Cleaning Swab, (Bass Clarinet Swab)

  • I only recommend silk/polyester swabs as other swabs get stuck easily in instruments.

Cork Grease

Reed Suggestions

  • Students should have 4 playable reeds at all time. Each reed will last about 2 weeks if they are taken care of.
  • Cracked/Chipped reeds are not considered playable.
  • Rico Royal #2, #2.5 (after December)
  • Vandoren #2, #2.5 (after December)
  • Other branded reeds may not work as well

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Alto / Tenor Saxophone maintenance supplies

Silk Cleaning Swab

  • I only recommend silk/polyester swabs as other swabs get stuck easily in instruments.

Cork Grease

Reed Suggestions

  • Students should have 4 playable reeds at all time. Each reed will last about 2 weeks
  • Rico Royal #2, #2.5 (after December)
  • Vandoren #2, #2.5 (after December)
  • Other branded reeds may not work as well

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Trumpet maintenance supplies

Valve Oil

  • Make sure it is Synthetic Valve Oil
  • Not all valve oil are created equal (and some are very smelly). Recommended brands: Al Cass, Blue Juice

Slide Grease

  • Used to lubricate the tuning slide

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French Horn maintenance supplies

Rotary Valve Oil

  • This is different than other brass instruments! Not all valve oil can be used on French Horns.
  • It must say Rotary Valve Oil
  • A precision point tip is less messy to apply
  • Recommended brands: Hetman, Al Cass

French Horn String (optional)

  • The strings help move the valve. They will break eventually due to friction. I would recommend taking it into a music shop to repair, but it is possible to do it yourself

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Trombone maintenance supplies

Slide Cream

  • Used to lubricate the

Small Spray Bottle (for water)

  • After applying slide cream, spray the trombone slide one or two times.

Slide Grease

  • This is different than slide cream!
  • Used to lubricate the tuning slide (top part of instrument).

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Baritone & Tuba maintenance supplies

Valve Oil

  • Make sure it is Synthetic Valve Oil
  • Not all valve oil are created equal (and some are very smelly). Recommended brands: Al Cass, Blue Juice

Slide Grease

  • Used to lubricate the tuning slide

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Percussion Materials

Stick Bag, labeled with name

  • Loose sticks are not allowed in the Band Room! Loose sticks will be confiscated and not returned. A bag keeps sticks organized.

Snare Sticks, labeled with name

  • Vic Firth SD1 or SD2 or similar

Mallets

  • Vic Firth M6 (bell mallets) or Vic Firth M3 (yarn)

Practice Pad

Metronome

The Vic Firth Elementary or Intermediate kit is a great investment and includes all needed sticks/mallets/bag.