Help! My son has been learning to play the cornet for some months but I know nothing of how to care for it (he is 9 and isn`t going to bother). Can anyone advise on a cleaning and care routine.


Thanks

Surely there is someone out there can help? Although there is a tradition of cornet playing in the family, it has skipped a generation. He is getting so frustrated with it which is a shame because he could be the next Principal Cornet with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band

Hi Gigi,
I hope this helps:

1, Keep it in the case when not in use.
2. When he puts the mouthpiece into the horn, give it a small clock-wise twist. It then keeps in there. To remove a small anti-clockwise twist.
3. Always carefully clean the valves after use.
Remove one at a time, wipe all the surface with a clean lint-free cloth.
4. Always oil valves before use.
5. Wipe the horn wipe a clean cloth - a simple boot cleaning cloth will do. It helps to remove the sweat and acids from the hands.
6. Once every 3 weeks completely strip it all apart. Firstly, take into the shower and wash it out. Then strip it down removing all valves, valve caps, and tuning slides.
7. Clean all the parts well. Do not use anything rough in the valves, or on the valve casings (including the inside. Do not scratch or damage these.

I usually lay all the parts onto Paper-towel. Clean then re-assemble. I use Pond`s Face Cream (Like Mum used to use in the Jar) for the slides, and the bottom and top screw caps for the valves (use only a touch - very very little needed.

Plenty of valve oil, and then a quick blow to make sure it all works. Always a light blow first to make sure all the valves are in the correct slots, or he will get a hernia from the pressure. Then store in the case, ready for next time.

Clean the mouthpiece down the pipe, and wipe it over.

Thanks Peter thats just what I needed

I think very few players remove and clean the valves every time they play...
Also, removing the pistons too often, and not at home,
increases the risk to have one of them dropping to the ground, and then the cornet is gone...

Most of us started playing on mediocre horns or second hand horns.

I always give a light oil after I play, (practice or a gig),and a light oil b4 playing if I can. I still follow the regime of wiping them over and a light oil. I have only been playing for 25 years, and the oil lasts a long time. Maybe 1 or 2 tubes a year.

There is nothing worse than a poor perfoming instrument. Student or Pro.

Sometimes you have to grab the ax and run on a phone call. I can tell you my horn never sticks (it did once, and that was when I was too lazy to oil). BTW I don`t leave the horn in pieces ever. that would be really stupid.