The process of cleaning a saxophone is relatively simple, but this is provided that you have a standard half bell saxophone. Straight saxophones, on the other hand, require tools that are not touched on in this entry. This entry is designed to assist in understanding the basics and mechanics behind cleaning a saxophone in order to help your instrument maintain a tone that is clear and deep.
1 - First you should clean your mouthpiece.
This is done by first removing the reed and the ligature, and then using a mouthpiece brush to remove any foreign material that you find inside the mouthpiece of your instrument. You should put your mouthpiece in a sink and run lukewarm water through it, then use a lint-free cloth to dry the mouthpiece and remove any excess particles with a few passes of the cloth through the mouthpiece.
2 - Next you are going to want to swab the neck using a brush attachment, which appears as a flexible metal hose with a ball of rags on one end.
Pass this through the larger opening on the neck so that it comes out the narrow side where the cork is attached. Brush the inside out to remove foreign particles or bacteria, then use the swab last. You can also run water through the neck but only if you keep water away from the cork, as this will cause it to become deformed.
3 - Next you are going to want to swab the body using a standard cleaning kit.
There is an attachment that looks like a brush with a cloth on a long string and a weight on the other end. You put the weighted end into the saxophone's bell and turn the saxophone upside down to let the weighted end go completely through the body. You then pull the swab through to clean everything out. If you see a slight green color, do not fret, because it is just a sign of corrosion on the inside of your instrument from rust.
4 - Now check the valve pads and clean them as necessary.
There are a number of them on your saxophone, so this will be a time consuming step for you. Each pad should be visually inspected and searched for tears and wear. If you find a broken pad, replace it. Remove foreign material from the pads as gently as you possibly can.
5 - Tighten any loose screws that you find. Most saxophone screws are the flat head variety.
Make sure not to over torque them if you want to keep your saxophone in good condition.
6 - Finally you should swab the corks and grease them as necessary.
Dry the corks completely and add only a small amount of cork grease as necessary. The cork should be conditioned with the grease on a weekly basis in order to maintain a truly impressive seal.
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2009-03-12 05:37:56. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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Acoustic Musical Instruments, Instrument Care, saxophone
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