A large number of woodwind repairs coming in to our workshop are caused by mishandling and poor maintenance. Below are a few hints and tips on how to keep the cost of maintaining an instrument to a minimum.

General maintenance tips

Always store your instrument in its case when not in use.
Plated instruments tarnish very quickly if left in the open air. The mechanism will become dusty, and oil can dry up - this loss of lubrication can lead to noisy mechanism and binding. Displaying your instrument on a stand may mean it is easier to pick up and play - but it will attract dust, plus is more likely to get knocked over!
Never grasp the instrument around its keys when putting it together
Always hold the joints where there are no keys or rods where possible. The most common faults we see are bent key-arms and rods, and distorted joint tenons - usually caused by sloppy handling.
Always clean the inside of the instrument after every use, using an absorbent, lint-free, cotton cloth or pull-through.
There can be a surprising amount of moisture left inside instruments after they are played, and this can lead to sticky pads and rusted mechanism. In wood instruments it can be even more serious, being a major cause of swelling and cracking.
Clean finger prints from the surface of plated instruments after use, using a lint-free soft cloth or polishing cloth.
Perspiration acids found in finger prints can cause plating to tarnish and eventually peel off. In severe cases, these acids cause heavy tarnishing and severe corrosion of the mechanism. To remove tarnishing, use a silver cloth, carefully. Never use liquid metal polish.
Use grease only on cork jointed instruments and never on metal joints.
Cork grease should be used only to keep corks lubricated. On metal joints it attracts grit and dirt, causing joints to become even tighter. If metal joints are tight, try cleaning them with a silver polishing cloth, inside and out. If they remain tight, they might have become distorted. You should take the instrument to a reputable repairer, such as our workshop, to have the joints properly fitted.
Cigarette papers, powder papers, chalk or graphite should never be used to clean ‘sticky’ pads.
Prevention is better than cure, so don’t eat or drink immediately before playing, and always dry the instrument out thoroughly after each use. The above 'cures' can actually cause more problems, as cigarette papers can scuff or tear pads - an expensive thing to fix! Powder papers generally attract more dirt over the long-term, so are best avoided. If sticky pads remain a problem, you could try a "Pad Saver".
Always have your instrument serviced regularly.
Servicing your instrument keeps it clean and oiled properly, and problems which may develop are usually caught before they become serious. Your instrument will always be in its best condition, and will hold its value better.

Additional hints to avoid cracking in wood instruments

Over the first month, play for only half an hour at a time.
Playing time should be gradually increased, allowing the instrument to become acclimatised to changes in temperature and moisture.
After playing, always dry the instrument throughly.
This prevents localised wet patches in the wood due to condensation droplets.
Store the instrument in a dry place, away from fluctuations in temperature.
This keeps movement in the wood to a minimum, reducing the risk of cracking.
Always take the instrument apart after playing.
This allows the instrument to dry out more quickly and thoroughly.
If cork joints are stiff, don’t force them.
Rub a little cork grease on them. Vaseline works well as an alternative, but needs to be renewed more often than cork grease.
Occasionally oil the instrument.
Push a cotton rag, dampened with a very small amount of Almond Oil (available at chemists), through the wooden parts. This replaces oils lost from the wood, and prevents moisture getting into the wood.