Miami is valve purgatory. In my three years living here I have had more difficulty in keeping valves running smoothly than any place I have ever lived. Maybe it’s the humidity. Maybe it isn’t. I’m really not sure. But whatever it is, it makes you work for those silky smooth valves.

The number one cause of sticky valves? You guessed it, dirt. Well, not dirt really, it’s actually that grimy, goopy, mystery substance that exists only on the inside of brass instruments. If you want to know if your valves are clean, take this quick test. Remove a bottom valve cap. Wipe your pinky around the inside of the bottom of the valve casing. Does your finger have anything other than clear liquid on it? If the answer is yes, then it is definitely time to at least clean the valves and casings, if not the entire instrument.

Fortunately, cleaning is simple. All you need to do is remove the valves and place them on a clean lint-free surface, wash them with liquid dish soap, and rinse. Take a small brush (like on the end of a cleaning snake) and clean out the ports on the valves. Rinse again. Place the newly cleaned valves on a clean lint-free surface (make sure they don’t go rolling off the counter!). Now it is time for the casings. Run water through the casings. If you have a valve casing brush then scrub the insides with that. If you have one of those metal rods that look like a giant threading needle, then thread a clean lint-free cloth through the small end and push the rag into the casing, twisting as you push. Once you have the rag through the casing, remove it from the metal rod and remove the rod from the casing. Now you can slide the rag back and forth to clean the inside of the casing. Once that is done, rinse the casing out. Inspect the inside of the casing and the valves for any remaining grime. If you are satisfied everything is clean, return the valves to the casing and oil them with your favorite valve oil.

When a player experiences sticky valves, it is a common mistake for them to assume that there is some sort of problem with the valve iself, a problem that is causing them to sick or drag. In actuality, it is often just a bit of dirt or grime that is causing the problem. If you are experiencing difficulty with your valves, then give them a thorough cleaning before taking them into the shop to be lapped or repaired. It may save you time, money, and trouble, not to mention the wear and tear that an unnecessary valve lapping causes.

Keep your valves clean. It’s a simple way to avoid embarrasing moments.

§ 2 Responses to Dirty Valves = Sticky Valves"

• Art Aceto says:

  August 7, 2006 at 8:35 pm

  I bought a Schilke x4 about 6 weeks ago. A beautiful horn with a bold sound when you put enough air into it. Recently, the valves began to stick. This is not an inexpensive instrument. I brought it to the manufacturer who apologized sincerely for the problem and told me that there is very little tolerance between the valves and the casings, and most valve oils are too thick for this horn. He promised a thorough inspection and i’ll have the horn back in a few days. I’m sure the problem will be gone and I’ll be using Schilke oil from now on ; but who knew?
• Bernie Parsons says:

  September 14, 2006 at 12:34 am

  Many years ago I worked with Dominique Callicchio and his secret, when valves would stubbornly stick when they should not, was to wash them with Ivory Liquid (white) dish soap – rinse and then oil.
  The Ivory left behind a coating that worked everytime – not sure why, but it does still work – Italian Craftsmanship
  Hope that helps someone…
  Bernie