Watch the video below
of John Gage testing out the Garibaldi trumpets and mouthpieces.

• Oil Those Valves

It is important to oil the trumpet valves every time you play (or at least three times/week). Here's how:  Unscrew the top valve from the valve casing and pull the valve out in a straight line (no twisting).  Then go ahead and apply the valve oil.  Make sure you don't oil from the bottom caps.

• Slide, Slide, Slide

Slide grease keeps slides airtight and maintains smooth movement.  Just be sure to use it!  Petroleum jellies (such as Vaseline) are a no-no due to their corrosive properties.  This
slide maintenance should be done at least once a month.

• Clean Up

On a daily basis, you need to use a trumpet cleaning rod and a snake brush (non-wire, please!) to get all the gunk out of the instrument's interior.  Think about it: practicing "Ode to Joy" over and over will leave spit inside that can get really funky if not taken care of (and damage the trumpet to boot).  Don't forget to clean the mouthpiece as well!

• Take a Bath

Daily cleanings are good, but you need to give your trumpet a thorough scrubbing at least once or twice a month.  Methods vary on this, but a common option is to lay a towel in the bathtub, then fill it up with lukewarm water.  Add some mild dish soap, then disassemble the instrument and let it soak in the water for ten minutes or so.  Then clean the inside with your cleaning rod and  snake brush before rinsing in clean water and towel drying the outside.  And don't put the instrument in the case until it's fully dry and reassembled!