our band got 5 new Yamaha YTR1335 last year... but the trumpet section was smaller than previous years.. so the new Yamaha horns were not often used... now the valves and slides are stuck.. are there any way to "unstick" them? and we have an old Amati Kraslice with a stuck tuning slide... pls advice on how to "un-stick" the slides.. thanks a lot

-K.Y. Chiew

New Horns - take to a music repair shop. Quick and easy.

If I was to have a go myself (not first option) then remove bottom valve caps, and a few drops of valve oil at the bottom around the casing. Then remove the valve the slide caps for each valve and a few more drops of oil in there. Then a little warm (not hot) water quickly over the case area and try to push the valves to get then going.

For the tuning slide, try the same with warm water quickly and pull. The warm water should help to expand the outer metal, so it is a bit easier, but the metal will come to equilibrium quickly, so it does not always work.

Here`s a classic tale of why you should oil before and after practice, and use Pond`s Face cream on the tuning slides. Next time (in the future) some poor sod does not need to go through this problem.