How To Clean Your Trombone | The correct way to keep your instrument clean

In this video I show you the proper way to clean your trombone. Cleaning your instrument is important and easy to do! Afterwards, you'll have a trombone that is cleaner and sounds better.
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For more information, visit: www.frankieyu.com
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[@SteveStockmalMusic]

Thank you, that was great and and I’ll be sharing that with my students. I have evolved my system that I clean just my slide (inner and outer) every month…. and the entire horn once a year December 1st… my tradition. So the first of the month (or the first weekend around then) my slide goes into a special tray that I found at the hardware store. I clean it, I dry it, and I hit it with the rod/cheesecloth, and all of that attention has led to a beautiful slide action !! Just clean gently, that’s my only advice. Thanks again 😊🎶

[@shawnball5068]

Thank you I needed this for school

[@ericnyu81]

Great video! :)

[@wzardglick]

My trombone definitely needs a bath. Just wanted to say I have never encountered an F mechanism quite like that. My horn does have an F-thingy, but I don't remember really what it's for. Looks cool, though.

[@just.the-average-mae]

An F-Attachment are extra tubing that allows you to play at 6th position at 1st. The extra tubing is opened when the trigger is pushed, making a longer slide, the same length as if it were fully extended.

[@lukedallor977]

It changes the key of the instrument allowing different slide positions and certain notes you would not normally be able to get, the one that they have is called an axel valve which allows for smoother transitions when the trigger is pulled opposed to the standard rotor valve.

[@SoMiMusic559]

I'm worried I have to do something with unscrewing the side part of the F attachment before putting the bell into the soapy water, as I've seen some videos do something with it... is that necessary, or is it fine to keep the screw/cap on and clean the bell?

[@busdriver428]

I would have loved to hear you play at the end.

[@wnd3r1nd12]

Thank so much for the helpful video!I gave my trombone a bath and everything feels great except the slide🤍The slide is super sticky and hard to move. Do you have any recommendations?

[@istolejahresshipandilldoit3499]

Put slide grease

[@CatnipYoru]

maybe consult where you got your instrument from; it may have a solution of which I heard from my band teacher's friend which specializes with low brass. I think it's called universal slide oil or something... apparently when its sticky it either lacks or has too much slide oil.

[@SteveStockmalMusic]

Once it is clean and you haven’t played anything, try one slide at a time, in the opposite side. If you find any sticky spots, then you know work, take it to your local music repair guy. For 100 bucks or so and you will be the happiest trombone player ever !! Also watch Bill Watrous slide preparation technique (on KZbin).

[@SteveStockmalMusic]

@@istolejahresshipandilldoit3499 I am guessing it’s a deeper issue… just guessing. 😊🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@lukedallor977]

Don’t use oil, use cream and water

[@arandomghost8796]

What if we don't have a snake is there something else we can use?

[@istolejahresshipandilldoit3499]

A cleaning rod (if your trombone was from Yamaha)

[@hyliansaviour9420]

What if you only have a shower and no tub?

[@Colted_]

you can take it to a music store and they might do it for you

[@emaf0]

i'd say that the tub soak isn't nesesscary. if rinsing it along with using a washcloth works for your trombone and keeps it clean and functional, then you are doing it right

[@Graces_version]

@@emaf0I have been filling the slides/ tubes with water and dish soap then pulling the snake through the slides. I also clean the outside with a towel. Is that ok? I’m a beginner and don’t want to damage my trombone I am to afraid to put it in a tub because I’m afraid I will damage the outer coating

[@Mgstaurl]

I have a base trombone and I’m scared if I damage it

[@Mgstaurl]

I got 2 triggers

[@andrew11043]

so do i 🫠

[@HIHELLO72915]

should i undo the rotary valves before putting it in the tub or leave it how it is? its my first time cleaning my bass trombone in the tub

[@greyspookss]

do not put slide gel on tuning slides omg

[@pugspyrotechnics3390]

It’s a gel made for the tuning slides, not for the main slide.

[@mondotrombo7167]

This video is very incomplete. For all slides, you should go down with a cleaning rod with paper or cheesecloth or slide o mix trombone sheath and go in and out until your outers feel warm. Careful to not dent the crook from the inside out. You should also wipe down your inners with towel or paper. Repeat this process at least once every 10 days. use a good amount, either a thin, quick line of yamasnot from the mouthpiece reciever side down to the bottom stockings. You could also use a drop or two inside the cork barrels and maybe use less lube if your slide likes less. Just make sure to get the stockings. Repeat this process whenever you clean your slide. People like to spray the slide afterwards, i find that useless unless you have little to no time for cleaning and the slide feels bit dry. make sure to lubricate the valves as well. Use either light piston oil or valve oil or rotor oil down the slides and from the slide receiver as well. Use a drop or two in all slide holes. Work it in. Use also bearing oil on the backside of the spindle and use some on the bearings inside the rotor caps when removed. Use heavy linkage or ball joint oil on your linkages and valve saddle springs. Repeat this process for lubing the inside every 3 days or when needed. Repeat the bearing process every week or two. Repeat the linkage process every two weeks. My recommendations for oils: (Yamasnot), slide o mix, or trombotine (Ultrapure light valve oil) for newer horns and regular weight for older horns, or hetman 11, 11.5 or 12 for different tolerances. (Ultrapure light bearing oil) for all horns, or hetman 13, 13.5, 14 for different tolerances. (Hetman 15) for all horns, or ultrapure linkage oil or hetman 14 Schilke tuning slide grease or ultrapure tuning slide grease. Any snake would work fine, I perfer the american 360 plating for the cleaning rod. Some people also like slide o mix sheathes. I also use bounty quicker picker upper for the inner wipe and the outer swabbing. Frankie, you are a pro. you should know better.