Care and Maintenance of Your Trumpet. The first thing you should know. Don't clean your trumpet and Don't buy a cleaning kit. The cleaning kit scam Cleaning kits are designed for one purpose, to take extra money out of your pocket at the time of any instrument purchase or rental. Nov 08, 2013 There are only a few supplies you need to clean a trumpet, including: A small tub or sink. A flexible cleaning brush (aka a cleaning snake) Valve casing brush. Mouthpiece brush. Slide grease.
Gather your materials.
To clean your trumpet you will need a large bin, bucket, or bath tub to place your trumpet in. You will also need two long towels to lay the horn on, a wash cloth, and a polishing cloth to dry the horn with without scuffing the finish. Some dish soap, brushes, including a snake brush and pipe cleaner, will be used to clean your trumpet. Finally, you will need valve oil and slide grease to properly oil your trumpet when you reassemble it.[1]
You can usually find the oil and grease at an instrument or music store. If you aren't sure what type of grease and oil to buy, ask one of the workers what they would use for their instrument. You can also purchase kits online that are specifically created to clean trumpets and bass instruments.
If you don't have a polishing cloth, you can use a microfiber cloth or an old cotton t-shirt. If using a shirt, make sure it is one that has been washed a lot and doesn't have any text on it. You want to avoid scuffing your instrument at all cost. Never use a regular towel to dry off your instrument.
Vincent Bach, a famous American trumpet player and founder of the Vincent Bach Corporation, once said that 'choosing the perfect mouthpiece is often more difficult than choosing the perfect instrument.' Once you have chosen the best mouthpiece for your embouchure and skill level, though, cleaning and maintenance are crucial. Cleaning your trumpet mouthpiece requires very little time and will ultimately help you maintain a clear and powerful sound.
Regular Maintenance
Remove your trumpet mouthpiece when you are finished playing.
Shake the mouthpiece vigorously. This will remove any excess moisture on the inside of the mouthpiece.
Wipe the outside of the mouthpiece with a dry cloth, then replace it in your case.
Monthly Cleaning
Wipe the mouthpiece with a cloth soaked in warm, soapy water. You can use dish soap or any other mild cleaning soap, but do not use detergents.
Clean the inside of the mouthpiece with your mouthpiece brush.
Rinse the mouthpiece once more with clean water.
Dry the mouthpiece with a clean, dry cloth, then allow to air dry for about half an hour.