Daily Care
After you are finished playing remove moisture from the inside of the instrument with drop-through swab designed for your instrument. Wipe finger prints, dirt and hand acids from the exterior surface with a treated polishing cloth.
Joints and corks should be lubricated (sparingly) with cork grease to allow sections to fit together easily.
Store reeds in a reed case which will help them to dry. It is recommended that several reeds be kept available so they can be allowed to dry fully between rotations.
Monthly / Yearly Care
Polish keys with a treated polishing cloth and clean the tone holes with a cleaning brush. Avoid using liquid, powder, or paste polishes as they can get into mechanisms and pads and ultimately cause damage.
Every few months, all mechanisms on the oboe should be oiled with key oil and needle. Before oiling, remove as mush dirt as possible using dust brushes from under the key mechanisms. Do not over-oil the keys as excess oil can be absorbed into the pads and cork.
Clean bassoon bocal with a bocal brush and running water once a month.
WOODEN OBOES/BASSOONS ONLY: Oil (with bore oil) the inside of the instrument twice a year to prevent cracking. Make sure you use a swab that is only dedicated for this purpose.
At least once a year, we recommend bringing your instrument to a technician for adjustments to keep your instrument in prime condition.
Do Not:
- Expose your instrument to sudden changes in temperature and humidity (especially if it is made of wood)
- Turn the screws found on the top of some of the keys – these are adjustment screws and should not be tightened or loosened by the player.
- Put extra t hings in the case with the instrument, this can cause damage to the keys.
- Leave the instrument in a location where it can fall easily, a great deal of damage to instruments is caused from falling.