Saturday, November 30, 2013

The Importance Of Instrument Cleaning

By Angela Briggs


It is crucial to have your musical instruments inspected regularly. This inspection helps you find out whether the instruments need to be cleaned so as to produce the highest quality sound. Discussed in this peace is the significance of musical instrument cleaning and the best way of doing it.

First, you need to keep the instruments dry at all times. Nickel or brass musical instruments can corrode easily if they are exposed to moisture. This is because moisture contains oxygen which causes oxidation when it mixes with water. You should always keep your instruments dry in order to prevent corrosion. Also, wooden instruments absorb water. This can make them expand thus distorting their original shape. Ensure that excess moisture is wiped out so as to make your instruments serve you for long.

Woodwind instruments have pads that cover the holes in the body in order to be able to produce different tones. If such pads absorb moisture, they become bloated and may fail to cover the tone holes properly. This may lead to low quality tones. If you want your instrument to produce the best tones, make sure that such pads are always dry.

Body Acids can also cause harm to your instruments. Perspiration from hands leads to production of some acids that can affect metals. Such acids may include lactic, traces of hydrochloric acid, among others. Some of the perspiration is alkaline but may be harmful just like the acids. You should keep the instruments free from perspiration by cleaning them regularly. Consider wiping out all the perspiration after using the instrument.

The saliva from the mouth also contains some acids that may attack metal. For instance, carbonic acid is usually present in the saliva. Other acids are also formed in the mouth depending on the kind of food eaten and the hygienic condition of the mouth. Soft solder is affected by acids from saliva. Areas that are soldered can be eaten out entirely by these saliva acids. That is why the inside of musical instruments should be cleaned thoroughly in order to remove these acids.

Some people use water instead of oil to lubricate their instruments. Note that water contains some salts. These salts form white substances on the pistons and slides of musical instruments and act as abrasives. They can cause wearing out metals such as chromium and nickel. Examples of such salts include calcium and magnesium. If you live in areas where water is salty or hard, consider using distilled water to lubricate rotary valves and new pistons.

Foreign materials can also harm your instruments. Food particles or any other stuff can cause blockage in wind instruments. Note that instruments with some blockages cannot produce quality sound. Materials that cause such blockage should be cleaned immediately. Remember that they may find their way to your lungs as you blow the instrument, which is actually health hazard.

Sometimes corrosion occurs on piston valves. Unwanted materials can also build up in the same valves making them not to perform their task. Dirt between the pistons can cause a lot of harm to the instruments. This calls for regular inspection of your musical instruments. If you want quality job done, consider hiring a professional to undertake the instrument cleaning task.




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