{"id":1501,"date":"2020-11-19T08:26:22","date_gmt":"2020-11-19T15:26:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-686768-2265439.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=1501"},"modified":"2020-11-19T08:26:22","modified_gmt":"2020-11-19T15:26:22","slug":"french-horn-spit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cleanmyinstrument.com\/french-horn-spit\/","title":{"rendered":"Cleaning the Spit Out of a French Horn: Quick vs. Thoroughly"},"content":{"rendered":"

A French horn is a one-of-kind instrument, from its curvature design to its unique sound. But, like any brass instrument, spit will eventually build up and will need to be cleaned out if you want to maintain a high-quality sound.<\/p>\n

To quickly clean out spit from a French horn, remove the mouthpiece and turn the instrument over so the opening is pointed downward. Any excess saliva and condensation should drain out. You will need to remove the horn\u2019s valves\/tuning slides and wipe down the inside for a more thorough clean.<\/strong><\/p>\n

While both techniques will remove any spit or condensation from your French horn, these are not the only ways you can keep your instrument clean and concert-ready. There are several cleaning methods required to keep your French horn in good condition.<\/p>\n

Although spit build up can lead to a muffled sound, there are also other factors that could also cause your French horn to sound muffled including how you play. You can find out about this further down in this article but let’s cover how to clean out the spit first!<\/p>\n

How to Quickly Clean Spit from a French Horn<\/h2>\n

The quickest\u2014and easiest\u2014way to remove the spit from a French horn is to remove the mouthpiece from the instrument and tilt it over so that the opening revealed faces the floor.<\/strong> This way, the saliva and condensation within the horn can drain out properly.<\/p>\n

Most of the spit that ends up in the instrument will get caught right around the first bend of the horn, so when you are in a pinch\u2014especially if you are in the middle of a concert or practice\u2014this simple method can help eliminate it so you can continue to produce a quality sound.<\/p>\n

Of course, this method is not guaranteed to remove all the spit built up in your French horn.<\/p>\n

If you play your instrument more than at least two or three times a week, it is recommended that you do a thorough clean of the horn at least once a week to preserve the integrity of the instrument\u2014inside and out\u2014and ensure it keeps its quality sound.<\/strong><\/p>\n

How to Thoroughly Clean Spit from a French Horn<\/h2>\n

\"close<\/p>\n

Many brass instruments, such as trumpets, trombones, and tubas, have a special \u201cspit valve\u201d that can be removed to clear out all condensation or spit remaining in the horn. However, French horns do not have this feature; therefore, it is important to clean out the instrument thoroughly to remove any excess spit beyond simply draining it by turning it over.<\/p>\n

Thoroughly cleaning the spit from a French horn requires a few steps:<\/p>\n

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  1. Remove the mouthpiece and shake out any excess spit.<\/li>\n
  2. Turn the instrument over and gently shake it so any excess spit in the first curve drains out, similarly to the quick cleaning method.<\/li>\n
  3. Next, remove the tuning slides one by one, starting with the main. With each small slide, press down their respective key and blow air through the instrument. Face the removed slide downward and lightly shake to clear them out. Repeat this step for each slide.<\/li>\n
  4. Put the slides back where they go, and press down on all three of the horn\u2019s keys. Turn the instrument like a car steering wheel several times so that any leftover spit can drain through the bell.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    (Source: Fhorn Patrick)<\/p>\n

    Note: If needed, you can use a soft cloth to wipe down the slides and the bell interior to make sure the surfaces are dry.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Final French Horn Cleaning Tips<\/h2>\n

    As we hinted at the beginning, clearing the spit out of your French horn isn\u2019t the only way you can keep it clean. By following the tips below, you can ensure your instrument stays in the best possible shape for regular practice and performance for years to come:<\/p>\n