Before you play…

Wash your hands before attempting to play your trombone. The dirt and oil can tarnish the finish. Brushing your teeth or washing your mouth out will also help prevent build-up inside of the trombone. If wearing jewelry, make sure it doesn’t touch the trombone. Loose Jewelry can get caught on the instrument or damage the finish. It’s also important to make sure the slide is properly oiled. Be sure to check the instrument for any issues, whether it be dings, loose parts or dirt build-up. Be aware of your surroundings, even light bumps can do more damage then you’d think.

Assembly

The trombone is stored in two pieces, the slide and the bell assembly. *If this is your first time assembling your trombone, please wait for your teachers instructions before attempting.

• Take both the slide and bell assembly out of the case
• While holding the Bell assembly, attach the slide at a 90-degree angle and gently tighten the receiver nut.
• Insert the Mouthpiece into the receiver gently. Excessive force is not necessary.

Cleaning

In order to maintain the trombone, it is important to properly clean it after each use. Keeping it clean is also important for your health by avoiding the build up of bacteria. Moisture can build up in the trombone and cause damage. Household cleaners or other liquid cleaners should not be used on trombones.

• For Exterior: Use a brass polishing cloth to gently wipe down the finish to remove any build-up and fingerprints.
• For Interior: After each use, the trombone should be emptied of moisture using the water key on the end of the slide. Blowing through the instrument and pressing those keys will empty the instrument.
• For Mouthpiece: After each use wipe down and clean out the mouthpiece. To deep clean the mouthpiece, it can be submerged in warm water with dish detergent, then dried.

Care Tips

Like any instrument, the proper care of your trombone is important in keeping it sanitary and playable. Keeping it safe is equally important as repairs can be costly and time consuming. Here are some tips for keeping your trombone in top shape.

• Do not stand the trombone on its bell. It is not meant to balance and can be easily damaged.
• Oil hand slide every few sessions. Keeping the trombone properly lubricated will reduce friction and wear.
• The mouthpieces don’t require much force to sit in the receiver. If the mouthpiece is pressed to hard it can get stuck. If it does get stuck, do not try and remove it yourself. It can cause more severe damage and should be done by a professional.
• When putting the trombone in the case, don’t put extra accessories in the case on top of the instrument. The pressure could damage the instrument.

Repairs

It’s advised that you get your trombone professionally maintained once a year to make sure it’s in top playing condition and to prevent major damage. If you experience a problem or situation that is not covered here, have a question anything trombone related or you think that your trombone needs professional care, please reach out to us below.