⭐ How to Fix Stiff French Horn Valves...Like a Pro!

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Hello! :) Thanks for watching this video, I hope you found it really useful! Comment below with any questions or video requests you have! Happy playing! :)

[@TRUMPETSIZZLE]

HI Becky...very good!

[@robertojr9053]

I don’t have plyers :(

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Mikige Tea Oh no! Maybe you can buy some on Amazon? amzn.to/2xyNqym

[@TheBrassTeacher]

TRUMPETSIZZLE I'm so glad you enjoyed it trumpetsizzle! Stay tuned! :)

[@razana.1119]

Please help me I got my mouth peace stuck in my French horn and I don’t know how to get it out I got it stuck because I left the mouth peace on for a hole week and never took it out please help me

[@hondoalejandro2319]

I haven't played my horn in years, since my early college years, due to stuck valves. This video helped me play tonight! I sure missing playing my horn. Thanks for the video!

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Awesome!! So glad to hear that! Have fun playing

[@gladicrabsyt9562]

Thanks! My valves aren't stuck now, im a 4th grader from elementary school, and this helped me alot! Thanks.

[@lorajones8887]

I’ve not played my horn in about 20 years so I’m going to try this tomorrow!! Fingers crossed it works! 🤞 thank you for the video. Where did you get the syringe and needle from please? I’ve only got valve oil with a thick nozzle.

[@laurencefinston7036]

Thank you very much for this video. I have two French horns (Bb and F) and hadn't played them for awhile. The other day, I found all 6 valves were stuck. Rotary valves are still fairly new to me and I don't really understand how they function. By following your instructions I was able to free them again with no scratches, dents or loss of temper. It wasn't, however, possible to oil them from under the valve cap. I don't know where I would get the necessary equipment and there didn't appear to be anywhere enough clearance to get a drop of oil in. However, putting oil in through the tubing worked fine.

[@JeepinCJ]

Thanks!!! As a handy guy, but not much of instrument repairman, this was perfect. Took me about 150 flips with pliars before it became easy and light back and forth. I had been using only valve oil, going to rotary bearing oil was a game changer.

[@tjsogmc]

Thanks for the tips. It was very helpful for unsticking my trombone rotor valves. They were very stuck and it took some time to free them up, but slow and sure they freed up. I had to use penetrating oil and a touch of heat, but now it can be played again for the first time in 80 years.

[@mrktnhkn]

Thanks this really helped me with my band grade for second semester!! I was sick and on vacation and this gave me time to practice and also gave me some extra credit in class as well!!

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Awesome! Glad it helped you :)

[@Jake-bt7ig]

Thanks. I loved playing for a long time but now my horn sits for long periods without being played. This saved my valves and now I can play a bit again.

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Awesome! Glad I could help you!

[@anthonydubeau]

The pliers with electric tape work fantastic for my horn! Stiff valve fixed! thanks a lot

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Great! So glad it helped you :)

[@nevillefilar5245]

I had an intermittently sticking first valve key. My horn is a Hoyer and you can oil the rotors using a small indentation in them. I do this fairly regularly. Valve stuck from time to time. I oiled everywhere and the problem wasn't solved. I was about to spend money on it when I found this video here . Oil down the slides worked!! Thank you so much

[@TheBrassTeacher]

You're very welcome!

[@chessasil]

Thank you so much! It helped us!!😀

[@noramiliabubakar8679]

Thank u I thought I’d have to bring it to the brass shop (which is very far away):D

[@halle803]

you're a lifesaver!! i have my first day of college band tomorrow and all my valves were stuck from not playing all summer. i did have a question about horn baths: is there a certain way i should let my horn dry?? i've never given it a bath before in fear of it rusting or getting otherwise damaged. thank you!!!

[@susanhamann8771]

Wish I had found this video earlier - its off to the pros to fix my valve string now :)

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Good! Glad I could help, I hope it all worked out!

[@LdyPrtrdg]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I finally bought my own horn, used, but one valve very stuck! But for $100 is was a steal! I will try right away

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Good luck!

[@LdyPrtrdg]

@@TheBrassTeacher After letting my horn soak, and then gently moving the back of the fingers, I was able to get them unstuck! Your advice worked. Thank you so much

[@whiteout8479]

Wish I knew this trick going through school, thanks!

[@mackymackster5284]

This was very helpful! I do still have a problem with my trigger valve

[@mackymackster5284]

It won't move enough to rotate the valve

[@hannahscala6096]

you are a literal life saver

[@TheBrassTeacher]

So glad I could help! :)

[@matthewkim705]

Thank you you're a lifesaver

[@thebiasslayer8244]

Becky this is very instructive thank you very much.

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Thank you so much Tristan!! I'm glad you found the video helpful:)

[@DrDonnaLLB]

This was so helpful!

[@shirleydiaz7802]

Thank you so much. My instrument just came outta the shop and when I played it the middle key stuck down. Your tutorial helped me get it unstuck and its fine now thanks mam for this tutorial I'm saving itm

[@shirleydiaz7802]

Also I almost cried bc I couldn't fix it so thanks

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Aw Shirley, I'm so glad I could help you! :) Happy playing!

[@shirleydiaz7802]

Yeah fanks. I'm having fun in 8th grade but I'll miss my band teacher dearly, also the middle valve was loose. They gave me back a horn with a middle valve that loosens, I know how to deal with it but it's like GEEZ

[@TheBrassTeacher]

@@shirleydiaz7802 yes having a broken instrument is stressful I know!

[@227johnb718]

thank you for this video!! very helpful. can you comment on horns whose slides get stuck? what kind of greaser should I use. in general, can you tell me all the maintenence equipment i need for at-home "repairs" thanks and i appreciate your video very much!!

[@TheBrassTeacher]

You're very welcome, I'm so glad you found it useful! For slides I have used bits of vaseline and some types of slide grease in the past. It depends on the brand really - I would ask for the lightest and thinnest slide grease as once they are unstuck, you shouldn't need too much product on them. Most repairs at home can be done with pliers, vaseline and valve oil. Anything more complicated - take it to a specialist! Good luck!

[@thebiasslayer8244]

Becky this is very instructive thank you!

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Hi Tristan thanks so much for watching! I'm so stoked that you found it useful/! Keep watching and don't forget to hit subscribe if you haven't already! :)

[@cortezr.alberto4518]

Thank you for sharing this video

[@capncook6824]

Thank you, really helped

[@TheBrassTeacher]

You're welcome!

[@Marina-wn3xr]

You saved my life 😭

[@squirrelcubes3902]

thanks so much it fixed my horn

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Yay! I'm so glad you fixed it!

[@ssoqhiia]

My mouth piece is stuck in my French horn and it’s and instrument from my school, what should I do to get it out?

[@guankstudios]

my trigger isnt moving and its summer break. i manually move it with my hand instead of plyers because im very scared im gonna break it because im 13 and its a school instrument

[@emilyclemens1810]

wow that’s my exact problem to like same age and everything lol

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Okay, so the main thing is NOT to force it. Use any oil you've got to gently move the trigger. If in doubt, wait until you go back after summer break. I'm sure your teacher won't mind :) Rather wait than break it :)

[@rohitshete1785]

Hello, what should I do if my keys are being slow even after oiling?

[@ajaniharris]

I was wondering this too! Mine aren’t stuck, but are slow moving

[@rohitshete1785]

Hi, what should I do if oiling made my keys even slower/sluggish?

[@TheBrassTeacher]

I would suggest cleaning them (full bath is good for whole of horn anyway) then start again. If you use the right oil it shouldn't make them sluggish

[@dmr3982]

My trigger is really stuck and I tried to do the methods you said and it doesn't seem to wanna budge. Is there anything I can do

[@estudiomonteverdi]

thanks

[@TheBrassTeacher]

You're welcome!

[@oceanpermana1225]

I haven’t played my French horn over the summer (I forgot where I put it) and now the valves are completely stuck in the down position but the valve that moves them hasn’t moved so if I pull up it’s going to tear straight through them so what should i do any help I’d appreciated?

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Firstly give it a bath, it will loosen it up a bit. Then go through the pliers steps gently gently. If not, it may be that your valves have been misaligned or dented somehow - take it to an expert if this is the case.

[@undertone_dj]

you show two oils, but only have a link to the valve oil. Can we get a link to the bearing oil?

[@TheBrassTeacher]

You can get it online at the paxman store :) www.paxman.org.uk/paxman-oils-and-greases-c2x19508518

[@iceblade1333]

Is it the same for the double horn?? Especially the 4th valve

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Hi! Yes its the same for double horn. Be very careful with forcing the thumb valve though - proceed with caution always!

[@senarisugunendran1691]

what do you do if you don't have any of the equipment you named?

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Good question! In terms of oil I would always ONLY use valve oil. Its not worth ruining your horn trying to use another type of oil. You can buy valve oil at lots of places online :) If you don't have pliers you can also try and use a rubber can opener too which won't scratch your horn. Good luck!

[@colbycomfort5398]

I almost had a heart attack bc I had band the next day but this was so good

[@aaaaa-cr8es]

What if the cap for the valve stuck too?

[@Swel_Remarkable]

Watering (oil) down the gunk does not make it go away. One should really take it apart all the way to properly clean it.

[@johnpereira5926]

Is it more expensive to fit a horn with piston valves than rotary valves? Why are the inexpensive models not made with piston valves? It is so much more practical for a tyro to deal with minor problems that arise in connection with piston valves - as is evidenced by the strong preference shown by amateurs and small-time professionals in most countries - even Germany - for piston valves in trumpets, cornets and members of the saxhorn family.

[@danielahernandez3884]

What if they arent stuck they just move really really slow no matter how much oil you put in it?

[@pauljmeyer1]

Remove the crooks and unscrew the bell if removable. Place the horn in a bath or basin on a clean towel and thoroughly instil washing solution through its tubes while working all its valves to wash away solidified oil. The instrument can then be dried and re-oiled. If this procedure fails, you'll need to take it to an instrument repairer as the valves are high precision and might be damaged otherwise.

[@louissomers868]

Instead of dripping the oil straight down to the slide pipes rather put some in the slide, push then in 100% keeping the oil in the slide and only when they are fully in, turn it around to let the oil flow to the rotor. That way the oil will not take any slide grease with it down to the rotor valve (which would gunk up the rotor even worse).

[@annarosex1]

This video helped me so much! My french horn's keys were frozen after not playing it for over a decade! Now it's in working order so I can relearn how to play it!

[@blechfan135]

The very first thing i do is to take off all finger rings!! You can't avoid to touch the brass and you will scratch it!!

[@TheBrassTeacher]

interesting! I never used to do that, but yes you do have to be careful. Though, getting minor small scratches on your instrument is kinda a fact of life and very very difficult to avoid over years of playing.

[@danielmarquez9266]

What if my valves are clicking very loudly?

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Absolutely! What Danielle said!

[@drawinggodz3514]

2

[@therobloxfamilyxo2420]

I did this a bunch of times and it’s still stuck

[@TheBrassTeacher]

Ah okay, maybe try with a little bit of force, make sure to use lots of valve oil. If its still stuck then it might need some professional help :)

[@kaabespinoza7967]

Your intro is very cringe but thanks for the help!