Oak Grove Panther Pride Bands :: Instrument Care (Woodwinds)

WOODWINDS
Woodwind instruments are the most prevalent to experience malfunctions, usually due to misuse and/or abuse. There are so many detailed moving parts on all woodwind instruments, and what may seem like “minor” accidents can cause problems that produce a snowball effect.

READ THE INFORMATION IN YOUR BEGINNING BAND BOOK ABOUT INSTRUMENT CARE!

The following are reminders...

FLUTE
	Be careful how you hold the instrument while putting it together.
	Wipe off the tenons (the parts that are inserted into another section, and the inside of the receiving part).
	Keep the head joint socket clean (the part that receives the head joint. Use rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth for cleaning.
	If the adjustment knob on the end of the instrument is loose, do not try to tighten it! Take it to your band director for further instructions. It should not be easy to tighten).
	Be sure the instrument is placed back in the case in precisely the correct indentations.
	NEVER USE ANY KIND OF LUBRICATION (i.e., Vaseline, cork grease, etc.) TO MAKE THE PARTS FIT TOGETHER MORE EASILY! You’ll only make it worse.

OBOE
	Be careful how you hold the instrument while putting it together.
	While you’re putting your instrument together, your reed should be soaking in a small plastic container of water. The best thing to use is a round plastic film canister.
	Use a very small amount of cork grease on the tenon corks when needed. Clean your hands after using the cork grease; don’t get the grease on any other part of the instrument!
	When you finish playing, clean the inside of the oboe with a swab. Unless you have a silk swab, do NOT pull it all the way through! Pull until you feel a little resistance, the take it out of the end you put it in. Repeat • repeat • repeat!
	Be sure the instrument is placed back in the case in precisely the correct indentations.

BASSOON
	Be VERY careful how you hold the instrument while putting it together.
	While you’re putting your instrument together, your reed should be soaking in a small plastic container of water. The best thing to use is a round plastic film canister. Do not take the bocal out of the case until the entire instrument is together and your reed is soaked and ready.
	Use a very small amount of cork grease on the tenon corks when needed. Clean your hands after using the cork grease; don’t get the grease on any other part of the instrument!
	When you finish playing, clean the inside of the bassoon with a swab. Take off the reed and bocal first; put the bocal IN THE CASE and your reed in a safe place! Swab the lower and upper sections separately. Repeat • repeat • repeat!
	Be sure the instrument is placed back in the case in precisely the correct indentations.
	DON’T put music in the case! It may look like there’s room, but lots of things WILL get bent!

CLARINET/BASS CLARINET
	Be careful how you hold the instrument while putting it together.
	While you’re putting your instrument together, your reed should be in your mouth, soaking.
	Use a very small amount of cork grease on the tenon corks when needed. Clean your hands after using the cork grease; don’t get the grease on any other part of the instrument.
	When you finish playing, clean the inside of the clarinet with a swab. Take off the mouthpiece first; for clarinets, it’s most efficient to swab the lower and upper sections separately. Repeat &$149; repeat • repeat!
	Once a month clean the mouthpiece using cool water, dish soap, and a mouthpiece brush.
	Be sure the instrument is placed back in the case in precisely the correct indentations.
	DON’T PUT MUSIC IN THE CASE unless there is a special place for music built in!

SAXOPHONE
	Be careful how you hold the instrument while putting it together. Pay special attention to the octave key mechanism. Clean your hands after using the cork grease; don’t get the grease on any other part of the instrument.
	While you’re putting your instrument together, your reed should be in your mouth, soaking.
	Use a very small amount of cork grease on the tenon corks when needed.
	When you finish playing, clean the neck with a saxophone neck cleaner, and clean the inside of the body with a swab. Take off the mouthpiece first; for clarinets, it’s most efficient to swab the lower and upper sections separately. Repeat • repeat • repeat! Once a month clean the mouthpiece using cool water, dish soap, and a mouthpiece brush.
	NEVER USE ANY KIND OF LUBRICATION (i.e., Vaseline, cork grease, etc.) TO MAKE THE NECK FIT IN THE INSTRUMENT BODY MORE EASILY! You’ll only make it worse… Simply wipe clean with a soft cloth on a daily basis, including the inside of the instrument’s body where the neck fits.
	Be sure the instrument is placed back in the case in precisely the correct indentations. You must use the END PLUG to keep from bending the octave key mechanism!
	DON’T PUT MUSIC IN THE CASE! It may look like there’s room, but things WILL get bent!

Oak Grove "Sound of Panther Pride" Bands
Oak Grove, Missouri