When you start playing a trumpet, regular maintenance will help you keep it in good condition. Cleaning the trumpet can be quick and easy, and if done regularly, should avoid problems which could result in a costly repair bill. The two most important factors to remember when caring for your trumpet are cleanliness and regular lubrication.

Clean the mouthpiece at least once a week with warm water and a mouthpiece brush. This will help keep the inside bore of the mouthpiece clean and allow easy passage of air.

The valves should be removed in sequence and dried using a lint free cloth, ensuring that no moisture remains. When replacing a valve, rotate it until it clicks into position. A valve brush allows you to remove any debris from the valve chamber.

A flexible trumpet snake brush cleans out the inside parts of the trumpet that cannot be seen.

Valve oil is essential to lubricate the metal on metal movement of the valves.

Slide grease is important to prevent the three slides on a trumpet from seizing up and allows easy tuning.

When you have finished playing, loosen the valve caps by half a turn. This avoids trapped moisture causng corrosion in the screw threads. If the mouthpiece gets stuck inside the trumpet, do not panic and try and remove it yourself! Music shops like Crescendo Music have a special gadget for safe removal of the mouthpiece.

By keeping the trumpet clean and dry, it will always be ready for perfect playing and will cause less frustration.