French Horn Care Kit

  1. Wash your hands and brush your teeth before you play. This helps to keep the instrument free of acids and sugars that can damage the precious metals.

  2. Apply rotor oil as needed (when they stick). Remove the cap and apply oil in the center hole so you see a little bubble over the hole. Also, apply oil to the back of the rotor by using the needle to drop oil where the rotor shaft comes out of the casing.  The Hetman oil included in your care kit is synthetic oil – NEVER mix this with regular valve oil, as it will cause your rotors to bind.

  3. Check tuning slides weekly for mobility. Wipe off old grease and reapply fresh grease by spreading a thin coat on the inner slide tube and working through the length of the slide.

  1. Bathe your horn monthly:

    1. Fill tub with warm water (hot water can damage the lacquer) and mild dish soap.

    2. Lay a towel on the bottom of the tub to prevent scratching the instrument.

    3. Remove the 4 slides and run the flexible brush (snake) through them & your lead pipe. DO NOT SNAKE THE TUBES ON THE HORN as this will damage the rotors

    4. Rinse with cool water and leave to air-dry – no need to blow-dry.

    5. Reassemble the instrument, applying new slide grease & oil. Never force anything & put slides together straight so as not to dent or flatten.

  2. Use your microfiber cloth to polish your horn weekly to remove fingerprints and keep the finish looking new.

  3. Weekly, clean the mouthpiece using the mouthpiece brush, soap, and water. If you are sick, wash the mouthpiece after every time you play. Mouthpiece may be cleaned with mouthpiece freshener/mist.  

  4. Never tap mouthpiece in lead pipe. If it gets stuck, bring it in immediately. DO NOT try to remove with any household tool.