 |
Q & A about Brass and Woodwind Instruments?
|
 |
How often should I expect our instrument to need repairs?
Robinson Music recommends that you have your Band instrument inspected by a professional repair technician twice a year. Regular adjustments will keep your instrument in good playing condition, extend the life of the instrument, and minimize the probability of major, expensive repairs.
How often should I oil the bore on my wood clarinet, piccolo, or oboe?
The reason you oil the bore on a wooden instrument is to keep it from drying out & cracking. Therefore, how often you oil the bore on your instrument depends on the climate your instrument is kept in.
We typically recommend oiling the bore an average of once a year. But be careful! Applying too much oil can cause more harm than good! Use bore oil very sparingly. If in doubt, ask to have your instrument bore oiled the next time it goes in for repair.
The finish on my brass instrument is dull. How can I make it shine again?
When a brass instrument loses its shine, it is usually because the clear lacquer (paint) finish has worn away to expose the raw brass underneath. Once the raw brass is exposed to air, it "oxidizes", causing it to become dull in appearance.
Unfortunately, the only way to correctly resolve this problem is to have the instrument cleaned, buffed, and relacquered by a professional repair technician. Contact our repair group for more information.
We have an old instrument in the family. Will it work for my beginning student?
Instruments that have been setting for years are often in need of costly repairs and won't play properly. An instrument that doesn't play properly will be frustrating and discouraging for the young student. Have our professional repair technician check out that old family instrument before giving it to your beginning student to try.