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About Vikrant Singh Badwal
Expertise
I can answer question about trumpet playing techniques and general musicianmanship. I have great insight on the characteristics of good trumpet playing. I can answer questions that cover good tone, expanding range, sustaining endurance, and breakdown practice techniques. I can also answer questions about trumpet maintenance and small repairs applicable to brass instrumentation. I can also discuss general brass playing techniques. Since, I recently graduated from college, I am not able to answer questions that are in the post-university level of this genre.

Experience
15 years of playing trumpet-from elementary school to college graduation. 1 year of playing fluegelhorn. 1 quarter of playing baritone horn. 1 season of bass drum in percussion ensemble.

Organizations
Cal Poly Mustang Marching Band- 7 seasons Cal Poly Mustang Pep Band- 5 seasons Cal Poly Wind Orchestra/Ensembles- 6 years Cal Poly Brass Ensembles- 3 years Cal Poly University Jazz Band- 1 year IHS Cavalry Marching Band- 4 seasons IHS Symphonic Band- 3 years IHS Jazz Band- 2 years

Education/Credentials
B.S. Electrical Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 2.5 years of private trumpet lessons. Collegiate musician in jazz, pep, marching, wind orchestra and brass ensembles. High school musician in jazz, marching, and symphonies.

Awards and Honors
Cal Poly Mustang Marching Band- Lead Drill Designer- 5 years Cal Poly Wind Orchestra- Principal Trumpet- 2 years IHS Jazz Band- Lead Trumpet- 1 year IHS Cavalry Marching Band- Co-Section Leader- 1 season

You are here: Experts > Music/Performing Arts > Musical Instruments > Trumpet > Cleaning and sanitizing a used cornet

Trumpet - Cleaning and sanitizing a used cornet

Expert: Vikrant Singh Badwal - 11/5/2009

Question
Hello Vikrant!

I am a beginning cornet player of 5 weeks. I just bought a used Getzen 300 series cornet that is silver. It is arriving today. Before I play it, I want to clean it thoroughly and disinfect it. Can you tell me how to do this? Do I need to chemically clean it? I need instructions for cleaning the mouthpiece(Getzen 7C siver) too. Until I get it disinfected, can I put my Bach 3C mouthpiece on it to hear how it sounds?

Thanks for your help in advance!

Andy

Answer
Hi Andy,

I assume that you bought the horn used. When you get the instrument, inspect it to make sure that it works well mechanically. Apply lubrication if necessary. Next, inspect that mechanical joint are (the spots where the tuning slides/water keys/valves and the instrument meet)for any type of corrosion. You may find green/blue spots which are not as serious. If you find a lot of red rust type spots, you may want to consider a chemical clean via a repair shop.

Next, remove the main tuning slide and look through the main pipe against a light source. If you are not able to/ or barely able see through the pipe, then I would suggest a chemical clean. That's a biohazard hot zone! If you are able to see through it with relative ease (do not worry about the occasional gunk here and there) then a regular cleaning with lukewarm water and dishwasher soap.

Feel free to play the instrument keeping in mind not to suck back from the horn. In fact, that is a thing you should never do, clean or unclean. I would check the main pipe before, though. I once saw an instrument that had structures that looked like the inside of the alien mother ship in "Independence Day". Bleah!

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