Beginning Band: How to Care for the Trumpet

Evan Clark | MPR

Age Range: Late Elementary, Middle School

Learning Objective: Students will demonstrate proper care and technique when assembling their instrument and putting it away.

Total Video Time: 1:51

INTRODUCTION

Trumpet player Marissa Benedict will walk you through the basics of putting together your trumpet and taking care of it.

Make sure the trumpet case is on a solid surface.
Take the trumpet out of the case and hold it with your left hand.
Place the mouthpiece in the front of the trumpet and give it a little twist to secure.
Make sure your valves and tuning slides are moving smoothly. Grease or oil as needed.
To oil a rotary valve, apply a small drop of valve oil to each moving part of the valve.
To grease a slide, remove it, wipe it clean, and apply a small amount of slide grease to the ends of each side. Reinsert it and slide it back and forth.
After practicing, empty water through the spit valves and slides as needed.
Remove the mouthpiece and wipe as needed. Return the mouthpiece and trumpet to the case, and make sure to secure the case so the instrument doesn’t fall out.

Print this and keep it in your case or band folder!