Be careful with the temperature of the water you\u2019re using, as too-hot or too-cold water might warp the metal. You\u2019ll also want to use a relatively soft brush and rags to avoid scratching.<\/p>\n
A quick note that if you need to purchase a mouthpiece brush, you should buy this brass instrument brushes kit<\/a> instead. For under $8, you get a mouthpiece brush, valve brush, and a flexible snake brush. If you need those brushes too, that’s a much better deal.<\/p>\n When you\u2019ve finished playing, follow these three steps<\/b>:<\/p>\n You should also be deep cleaning your mouthpiece at least once a month. This can take around thirty minutes to do but is definitely worth it to remove the buildup of gunk and grime that comes naturally when playing.<\/p>\n To deep clean your mouthpiece, do the following:<\/b><\/p>\n If your mouthpiece is particularly dirty or caked, you can let it soak for a few hours in soapy water. This is especially helpful if you haven\u2019t cleaned your instrument in quite a long time.<\/p>\n If you do decide you want to remove tarnish, the good news is that it\u2019s a relatively simple process<\/b>. During your monthly deep clean, after you sanitize your mouthpiece, use a simple silver polishing cloth<\/a> to buff it down. You can also use a dab of a silver polish liquid with a clean microfiber cloth. We recommend Music Nomad’s Band & Orchestra Silver Polish<\/a>.<\/p>\n Remember to thoroughly rinse and dry your mouthpiece after polishing it. Silver polish is not something you want anywhere near your mouth.<\/p>\n Getting a tuba mouthpiece stuck in the instrument is one of the most common problems a musician can have. It\u2019s a small, funnel-shaped piece that\u2019s designed to fit snugly \u2013 one bump and it\u2019s officially stuck. There are a couple of ways to get it unstuck before it becomes a serious problem, though:<\/p>\n That being said, it\u2019s probably a bad idea to try and remove the mouthpiece on your own if it\u2019s tightly wedged into the instrument. Brass is soft and pliable, meaning that if none of these methods work and you try to force the piece with pliers or vice grips, you might end up deforming it and damaging your instrument\u2019s sound.<\/p>\n The other alternative is to seek professional help if your mouthpiece becomes completely immobile. Professionals have a wider array of tools to help them solve stubborn mouthpiece sticking. They also have years of experience in tuba maintenance, which means they are far less likely to do damage in their workshops than you are trying to fix it at home. This is well worth the cost of the repair.<\/p>\n As with any brass instrument, tubas\u2019 number one enemy is moisture. The inside of the tubes can be a huge problem if they\u2019re not cleaned regularly. Remember to use swabs and cleaning instruments to wick moisture from the inside of your instrument every time you play.<\/p>\n The outside of your tuba is cleaned in much the same way you polish the mouthpiece<\/b>. Running over it with a simple polishing cloth every day (or every time you play) will keep the shiny finish intact. You don\u2019t need to rinse the entire tuba off every time, though, given that it\u2019s not going anywhere near your mouth.<\/p>\n You should also remember to use valve oil<\/a> before and after you play<\/b>. This is an important step in protecting the pistons that make different notes possible. It serves as lubrication and protection from moisture. The same applies to greasing your slides<\/a>.<\/p>\n Make sure you have a good, solid case<\/a> for storing your tuba<\/strong>, and that you\u2019re careful when moving it in and out. Dents can seriously affect the sound of the instrument and will need to be removed by a professional (don\u2019t panic too much, most dents can be repaired so that your instrument sounds just fine). Never try to remove dents by yourself!<\/p>\nHow Often Should A Tuba Mouthpiece Be Cleaned?<\/h2>\n
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Ideally, you\u2019ll want to do a light cleaning of your mouthpiece every time you play<\/strong>. Putting your mouthpiece back in the case without cleaning it can lead to the growth of bacteria, which can make it unsafe to play. Cleaning is a very simple process, so there\u2019s no reason not to do it every time.<\/p>\n\n
How to Deep Clean Your Tuba Mouthpiece<\/h2>\n
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How Do You Remove Tarnish from a Mouthpiece?<\/h2>\n
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Most tuba mouthpieces are silver- or nickel-plated for a shining silver finish. Unfortunately, this makes them prone to tarnishing. Tarnish is a thin layer of dark oxidation on the surface of a metal. It actually helps to protect the metal underneath but can be remarkably unsightly. Removing tarnish is largely up to personal preference.<\/p>\nHow Do You Get A Tuba Mouthpiece Unstuck?<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>It\u2019s probably best to invest in an adjustable mouthpiece puller tool since it will allow you to safely remove your mouthpiece without causing damage. You can find a good puller for around $20.<\/p>\nOther Tuba Maintenance Tips<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>One last thing…does your tuba need a mustache?<\/strong> Yes, this is real…could be a great look on your tuba or for a friend! You just clip it onto your mouthpiece. Click on the image for more info.<\/p>\n