Some of the repairs Sally has carried out could have been avoided by following this simple guide — and it will help prolong the life of your instrument too.
When you remove your instrument from its case, never lift it out by the keywork — the mechanism can be damaged and it could affect its playing.
Never hold your instrument by the keywork when assembling or taking it apart. Hold the headjoint (avoiding the lip plate) and the body around the barrel where the headjoint fits in. On the footjoint, place your thumb gently on the C and C# key cups and turn a quarter-turn clockwise into position.
If joints become stiff, give them a good clean with a cloth — never use grease, as it attracts dirt and dust and makes things worse. If cleaning doesn't improve the fit, contact a repairer, as the joint could become stuck.
After playing, always put your instrument safely back in its case to avoid accidental damage and to help keep it clean.
Moisture left inside the instrument can swell the pads and even rust the rods and springs, which can cause keys to jam. Use a clean gauze cloth on your cleaning rod — but don't leave the damp cloth in the case with the instrument, as this can still cause damage.
Fingerprints are much harder to remove once dried, and can damage the plating. A silver cleaning cloth is fine, but avoid cleaning liquids like polish, and try not to clean between the keys — you could damage pads or move springs out of place. Leave the tricky bits for the annual service.
A five-minute question is always cheaper than a dent, a stuck joint or a swollen pad. If you require further advice or have any questions about caring for your instrument, please get in touch with Sally.