Caring for Your Pea Trumpet

Now we're going to talk about how to look after your pea trumpet. When you get your new instrument, you will receive a care card with it that will provide you with some hints and tips about keeping it in good condition.

Basic Maintenance

Not much to do really. They're very durable, but it's good to keep it clean. Here are some simple maintenance tips:

• Mouthpiece Care:
  Wash your mouthpiece now and again with some soapy water. Make sure you rinse it out thoroughly.

• Instrument Cleaning:
  You can also put some warm soapy water all the way through the instrument every now and again. Remember to rinse it out before you use it, and do this not very often.

Handling the Mouthpiece

When you put the mouthpiece in, don't bang it in, just place it in gently.

Valve Maintenance

The great thing about the pea trumpet is that it doesn't need much maintenance. The valves move really freely, but you might occasionally want to put a drop of valve oil onto them.

How to Oil the Valves

If you need to oil the valves, follow these steps:

1. Gently twist at the bottom to take the bottom off; there's a spring there.
2. Push the valve through.
3. The valves are interchangeable, so it doesn't matter if you get them mixed up, best to do one at a time.
4. You can put a few drops of oil (just a tiny bit) on the valve if you need it.
5. Put the valve back in, gently twisting it round until it finds its groove.
6. Make sure you still have the spring in place.
7. Twist to lock the valve in place.

Using the Water Key

This is called the water key, very important! As you blow through the trumpet, condensation gathers over time, and you need to blow it out from time to time.

1. Place your thumb there, and your finger here.
2. Squeeze the valve open and give it a little quick blow.
   • Tip: You don't want to make a sound; you're just blowing air through, and you might get a few drops of water coming out.

After Playing

Blow the water out after every practice or playing session to ensure there's no water left in the instrument. If you forget to do this, over time, the water will build up, and you might hear a "blub, blub, blub" sound.

So remember:

• Pinch the valve open.
• Give it a shake, and the water will come out.

By following these simple care tips, you can keep your pea trumpet in great condition and ready for music!