Photo Credit: Ben Sparks on Flickr
Disasters and near disasters seem to always happen at the worst times and for that reason, I thought I would share some quick fixes for occasions such as these.
Your second valve will not go down
Have you ever had this happen? The count off begins “ONE, TWO, ONE TWO THREE FOUR”. And you discover your second valve won’t go down! It has happened to me and it is not a pretty sight. After the panic has subsided, you look down the page to see when you can rest and get it working again. Panic again! You have no rests for the next three years! Your brain races feverishly for an answer, then you realize you’ll be OK. This piece is written in the key of Eb concert and there are no F#’s or B’s so you are home free. Every note with 1st and 2nd fingerings can be played with your third valve. That low Ab and the low Eb can be played third valve with the third slide extended. PIECE OF CAKE!
Stuck Trumpet Mouthpiece
Although this is much less a disaster than the first situation, it does mean that you can’t put your horn in the case when you leave the theater. A mouthpiece can get stuck because of many reasons. I remember one time in Iowa when we were playing the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus and the third chair player got his mouthpiece stuck because he had used too much mouthpiece pressure playing his part. I wonder what his horn would have looked like if he were playing the first part.
Removing a stuck mouthpiece can be a serious problem and a professional repairperson could be required, but for the less drastic removals, try this-
- Place the mouthpiece in the jam of a WOODEN DOOR and a WOODEN DOOR JAM. Please take note that I said a WOODEN DOOR and a WOODEN DOOR JAM. If you use a metal door and door jam, you will ruin your mouthpiece.
- Close the door SLIGHTLY on the mouthpiece.
- Next tap the mouthpiece receiver (metal around the mouthpiece) LIGHTLY with a wooden or plastic item (screw driver handle works).
- If mouthpiece does not come out, place the mouthpiece receiver under WARM water for a few minutes and the repeat the previous steps.
- If this does not release the mouthpiece you will have to find a repairman with a mouthpiece puller.
Water Key Spring Broke
I don’t know how those things know when to break but it is always before a concert. Make sure you have a few rubber bands in your repair kit. If you are playing a Schilke or a Yamaha, it is a simple repair. Double up the rubber band and slip it down your tuning slide onto the water key. If you are playing an instrument that has a brace in the way, like a Bach, get it on there any way you can.
This is only a temporary fix for if you leave the rubber band on for any length of time, the moisture will get between the band and your horn and will eventually tarnish the area. I remember one student many years ago who played in one of my jazz bands. Every rehearsal he would show up with a cigarette stuffed between the water key lever and the tuning slide. I think he played that way for several years. HE WAS NOT ONE ON MY STUDENTS.
You just “oiled your valves” and now you can’t get air through your horn
Don’t panic. The fix is quick and easy.
- Blow air into your horn.
- As you continue to blow air, press down each valve.
- The depressed valve that changes the sound will be the one that has not been seated properly and needs to be rotated.
You just “washed your horn” and now you can’t get air through it
Most often when this happens, the valves have been inserted into the wrong valve casing.
- Take all three valves out and check the number stamped on each.
- Replace them in the correct valve casings.
Every time you push your valves “down” they make a clanking sound
- Replace the pads under your finger buttons (seen from the outside of the horn)
Every time your valves “come up” they make a clanking sound
- Unscrew and remove the finger button on the offending valve(s)
- Remove the upper valve cap under the finger button
- Replace the felt pad under the upper valve cap
Sometimes your valves won’t go up and down smoothly
Join the club! Sticking valves (a temporary but still frustrating occurrence) are usually caused by one of three situations, 1. The valves are dirty and need to be cleaned, 2. The valve casing has been damaged, and #3. The valves could be worn out. Cleaning is a simple solution in case #1. Case #2 usually requires the services of a qualified repairman. The third condition will in most cases require a repairman also but before you take it in to the shop, try this trick-
- Remove the sticking valve
- Wash it thoroughly with warm, soapy water
- Dry it off completely
- Take a Qtip or a ball of cotton and apply a thin coat of RainX to the valve
- After it has dried, buff it with a lint free cloth
- Re-oil the valve and replace it in the instrument
I have had very good results with this process especially on older or cheaper horns. I do not suggest this process on a top line instrument but if you are fed up with sticking valves on your favorite horn and want to try it, let me know how it works for you. I have no problem using it on older horns but have not tried it on my bread and butter horns.
You have trouble getting the inside of your mouthpiece really clean
Next time put some tooth paste on you mouthpiece cleaning brush when you clean it. Make sure that you wash it out completely before you put it in your horn. You don’t want any paste to get into your valves.
You can’t remove a valve slide
- Run the end of a cloth (hanker chief will work- remember those things? I keep mine in the same drawer that I store my eight track tapes) through the bend in the slide and extend it to the middle so you can grasp both ends
- Pull gently on the cloth and hopefully this will pop the slide out
- If this does not work, put some penetrating oil on it and let it set overnight and try again the next day
When I replace my valve slides after cleaning, I make sure that I don’t shove them all the way in. I usually leave a space the thickness of a piece of paper. If I get in the situation where the slide becomes stuck, the small opening will allow me to more easily get penetrating oil in and it also gives me the options of either pulling the slide out or pushing it in.
I’m sure there will be some of you who also have tricks which have helped you and/or your students through the years. If you have some hints, please send them so that we will be able to help others. Fill out the comment section at the bottom and send it on.
Do you have any Emergency Repair stories or Tips? Add yours in the comments section below.
The blog was a life saver….Son couldn’t get air through his horn and he has a big concert scheduled for today at school… your 911 tips worked magic for us. That’s also when i realized he only plays and doesn’t clean or oil the instrument. Two of the values needed to be switched and of course all needed to be rotated into the proper position.
Thanks for the blog…
Glad to help. I noticed the time you sent your comment. 5:00 am.?
You should have called, I started working this morning at 3:00 am. What happened to the 40 hour work week?
I hope the concert went well and please stop back often for we are trying to cover as many trumpet related issues as we can.
Be sure to visit our other site for trumpet music. Many are free and you may find something helpful for your son.
http://www.trumpetensemblemusic.com/
Best of luck to you and yours.
Thanks, Bruce.
I’ll definitely checkout your other site also. The concert was a great success, so I’m looking forward to catching up on my sleep tonight. LOL Btw, I didn’t have a clue how to solve the lack of air issue, that my son informed me of late last night, until I googled the same and your blog popped up in my search results.
Thanks for keeping it simple and being there when needed.
May God Bless you and your family…
D
btw… it’s actually 9:30pm in georgia, but the post shows 6:30pm (3hr diff)..;
Hello I noticed you help allot of people and yeah I need help I finished fro taking my trumpet to Sam ash and they fixed it I took it because my vaulve had been stuck and the cap would stick ,and tomorrow I have band practice so PLEASE HELP,,I’m so frustrated it won’t go.some and I’m positive.it is not dented and I cleaned it thorough and oil won’t work . Please contact my phone 786_290_3200
Very sorry I did not get back to you at once but we just got back from visiting my mother on here 90th birthday.
Check these areas.
1.be sure valve 1 is in casing 1, 2 in 2 and 3 in 3.
2. if the upper cap is stuck, try using one of those strap like bottle openers to get it off. or run several strips of duct tape around it to protect it and then us just the slightest bit of grip on a pair of pliers. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO BEND, DENT or mar the cap!
3. once the cap is off, remove the valve. If the valve will not come out, take a strung, tie the ends together, wind a couple loops around the valve cap, place the upper part of the handle of a hammer in the other end of the loop and give the string a slight outward pop with the hammers. Reread the instruction again before you try it. The idea is to let the outward force of the hammer pop the valve out.
4. once the valve is out, check it over for any dirt, dents or scratches. Clean it with a soft, lint free rag, re-oil and rotate it as you return it into its own valve casing.
5. If you have trouble getting it in or after seating it, pull it out again and put the valve in a zip lock plastic bag and take it into a shop.
I’m sorry that I was not there to help you before your rehearsal but I hope you were able to get it going before the rehearsal.
My son’s 3rd valve will not go back in his trumpet. It hangs up within an inch of inserting it.
Check in this order
1. Each valve has a number (1,2,3) stamped on it somewhere. Make sure each valve is in the correct valve casing.
2. Make sure the spring is not hanging up as it goes in the valve casing.
3. Each valve has a slot where the top of the valve lines up with a small corresponding insert. Be sure that the valve is lined up with this insert.
4. Try to remove the caps on the bottom of each valve casing. If the third cap does not unscrew easily, it could be a dented valve casing.
5. If your valves are in the correct valve casings and you can get the third valve in its casing, blow through the mouthpiece in the horn. If there is a resistance to the flow of air, one by one depress each valve starting with the first, then second and finally the third. If you hear a difference in the sound of the air stream, the valve which has been depressed need to be rotated in order to line up with the horns tubing.
If nothing works as listed above, you need to see a repairman for it might be a dented valve casing which would require an experienced repair shop.
If you can give me more information about the problem, I might be able to come up with other solutions.
hey i’m kinda having a problem, my trumpet second valve goes down but it sounds like the sprind is broken and it cannot play a Low D
Problem #1
Take your second valve out and unscrew the top of your valve. This would include the finger button (the part your fingers rest on) and the valve stem (the part just under your finger button). Sometimes the stem is difficult to unscrew so be careful not to score the valve itself. When you get this unscrewed from your valve, the spring should come out and check if it is broken. If it is not broken (which is usually the case) check to see if the spring rests evenly and centered in its area. Also check to see if your spring is straight. Sometimes they can get bent. If it is bent, you will need a replacement spring. If, after putting it all together again, see if the sound has gone away. If it still sounds scratchy, you might have to get a repairman to look at it.
Problem #2
Why your horn will not play a low D is not the same problem that you have in problem #1 for you don’t use your second valve for low D.
Make sure that you have your valves in the correct valve casing. #1 valve in #1 valve casing.
If they are in the correct casing, then check to see if they are correctly seated in each valve casing. If they are not in the correct casing, you should have problems getting air through your horn. If they are not seated correctly you would have the same problem.
If they are in the wrong casing, blow air through your horn and one by one push down your valves. The one that sounds different will generally be the one out of line.
My 2nd and 3rd valve won’t push down at all and they wont slide out either what do I do?
Take it to a repair shop
or
Try this-
Take out the valve slides.
Pour some penetrating oil into each valve casings.
Let it soak over night.
Try it again in the morning.
If that doesn’t work, try this
Unscrew the top caps on each valve.
Remove the bottom caps on each valve.
Place a wood dowel about the same diameter as the indentation on the bottom of each valve on the bottom of the valve.
Lightly….lightly….lightly tap the other end of the dowel with a hammer.
If this doesn’t work you should have taken it to a repair shop in the first place.
Best of luck!
I can’t get my second valve’s top-cap off, and so I cannot oil the valve. I also can’t get the cap on the bottom of the valve off.
That sounds like a professional repair.
Dan my stupid trupmet wont blow i dont no y do you
A trumpet is a inanimate object and should not be expected to play by itself. On the other hand, if you can not get air through your horn your valves are either in the wrong valve casing or need to be rotated til they set properly.
http://www.thetrumpetblog.com/i-cant-get-air-through-my-horn/
The two parts of my valve have broken apart !! The part where the wind passes through and the key . what do I do??
Hello, My baritone’s second valve; when I push it down, it does not go back up. What I think the problem is, is a burr somewhere. Easy-fix suggestions?
Before you go to a repair shop, try this.
Scratches, burs, dents or other damage is usually only done when you have the valves out for oiling or other adjustments. If your problem began while you were just playing your instrument, I would think it is only some dirt or food getting into the valve area and a good cleaning would be in order.
so my baritone is great! with one minor problem. my second or middle valve won’t go in! help please
This has to be a valve in the wrong valve casing problem. Check the numbers on your valves and the numbers on the valve casing to make sure they are going in the correct valve casing.
My trumpet’s 3rd valve will press down but It won’t come up at all. I tried valve oil and it did not help. I then proceed to clean the valve and the casing with a brush, then re-oiled it. It worked earlier today until I took it out to practice please help!
Thanks for your question and I will try to address all that might be the problem.
1. Clean the horn completely. It sounds as if there are issues of dirt, sludge or pizza in the horn that will continue to break loose.
2. After cleaning the horn, brush out the casing with a valve cleaning brush again.
3. Carefully run the casing brush through the “tunnels” in the third valve.
4. Wipe the valve down well with a soft cloth (an old tee shirt works).
5. Re-oil the valve and return it to its’ case. Be sure the valve is numbered 3.
6. Work the valve up and down until it works easily.
Now. If it still gives you problems do the following-
1. Remove the valve and check to see if there are any unusually worn areas on the valve. If one spot looks more polished than the rest of the valve you might have incurred a dent in the casing and an expert repair shop would be required.
2. If you find no “hotspots” on the valve, replace it in its’ casing but before you tighten down the top cap, do the following.
3. Be sure that the valve is well oiled and begin to spin the valve around in its’ casing.
4. Generally you will feel spots where the valve will require a slight bit more pressure in order to spin the valve. This resistance is caused by the usual wear of the valve as it goes up and down. Just as the valve rings in a car engine gradually seat to the piston wall, so do the valves in your horn.
5. As you spin the valve around, any high spots or crud will be smoothed out and your problem should be solved.
One more note-
Many believe (including the late Ran Schilke), that you should NEVER spin your valves around. I do and I have never had any problems with my horns.
Let me know how this works for you and thanks for visiting our page.
Hey my second valve won’t stay aligned after I screw it back on. And I cannot get it realigned without taking it back off and aligning it again. I know when it happens because i’ll barely get into a piece of music and the valve will make a clicking sound when i press it, and often times it wont come back up after pressing it down. I need to know what i can do to fix it asap, I have to memorize 7 songs tonight.
If you pull out any valve, it will have a ring with alignment extensions on opposite sides of the valve. Some are made of brass and some are made of plastic. Your problem should be a miss alignment of this ring as it seats in the valve casing. If you have not removed this ring and replaced it incorrectly you should be able to visually see how this ring matches up with the groves on the inside of your valve casing. If you replace the valve in the correct valve casing when rotating the valve you should hear a soft click as it seats in place. If the valve is seated properly, you should be able to blow air through your horn after you have replaced the valve. If you can’t blow air through your horn, you need to rotate the valve 360 degrees and then the sir should go through.
Your statement “the valve will make a clicking sound when i press it, and often times it wont come back up after pressing it down” sounds like you are not seating your valve properly.
Good luck.
I would have answered sooner but I was a bible study group tonight.
My first valve doesn’t, come up all the way when I press it down. I’ve already tried cleaning it and oiling it. What do I do?
There could be several possibilities-
1. A foreign object in the valve casing
Remove valve and run a valve brush through the valve casing.
Then flush the casing out with tap water.
Check the valve itself to make sure there is nothing abnormal such as dirt, food.
Reassemble and try again.
2. Possible dent in valve casing.
Remove lessen valve cap and rotate valve in valve casing.
If it hangs up when you rotate it, see if you can identify the problem area.
If it is a dent, you will have to contact a repair man to fix it.
3. Misaligned spring in valve.
Check to see if the spring and spring retaining rings are properly fitted.
Each valve should look the same so you can compare #1 with the other two.
4. Valve in the wrong valve casing.
If you lift the first valve all the way up and blow through the lead pipe, you should be able to get the air through your horn.
If you can’t get the air through, check to see if you have valve # 1 in valve casing # 1. They are all stamped with their #. Also check to see if they are in the proper rotated position.
5. Some unwanted material in the tubes attached to Valve #1.
Remove the valve slide attached to valve casing #1 and look to see if there is anything which could impede the action of the first valve. Run a cleaning snake through the bell after removing you first valve from its casing.
6. Try a good water flush.
Remove your valves and force water through your bell to remove anything you have missed.
If this problem just started, chances are you have sludge that has broken free and hindered you valve action. If it started just after you had removed the valves for cleaning, chances that the separate parts have misaligned when re-assembling your horn. If your horn was hit by an object, it could possibly have been dented and that requires a repair shop.
Other than those suggestions, I have nothing more to add.
Thanks a million. My son took his trumpet apart (because he is ten), and it wouldn’t play when he put it back together. Valves were switched. Your website made me the hero of the day.
I just found out that my 10 yo son has run water through his trumpet. Like, from the faucet. Did he screw up his instrument? It seems to play, but maybe not optimally? Or is everything okay, and I should apologize to him for looking so horrified that he now feels guilty?
Water through a trumpet or any brass instrument is never a problem unless it is very hot water. Extremely hot water will remove the lacquer which is applied to brass instrument to keep them from tarnishing. I washed my new flugle horn for the first time in mildly warm water and a large section of the lacquer peeled right off. In this case, the instrument was not prepared properly before the lacquer was applied. The horn still plays well but in time the affected area will tarnish.
Water should not be applied to the felt pads in the valves but other than that, you’re in good shape.
Give him a hug and put his mind at ease for we need to treasure every moment we have with our loved ones….
I have a trumpet with an extra tuning slide on the end of the third valve. I took it off yesterday to clean it, but the lord himself wouldn’t be able to put that thing back in. Any help?
So today I oiled my valves, and went to put my 3rd valve back inside the instrument, but it won’t go in all the way. My band director took a look, and didn’t see any damage, but he couldn’t get the valve back in the casing. What in the world do I do?
I can remove the top and bottom caps on the second valve. However, the valve itself is stuck. It is stuck in a position where it is about halfway pressed down. It won’t budge with minimal force but don’t want to pull on it too much as I am fearful I may cause damage. I put valve oil on the top and bottom after removing the caps. This didn’t change anything. The slide also seems to be stuck. Any recommendations or is this a job for an expert repair person?
You were wise to use a small amount of pressure and I do think that visiting a repair shop would be a good idea.
My third valve won’t come back up and I have done everything and it is in the correct casing plus I cleaned the trumpet 4x and the valve won’t do anything even after that And I replied it but it won’t work it just stays down and after that I have to unscrew the valve and put it back in what’s the problem and how do you fix it
Sounds as if you might have a dent somewhere in the casing.
Check the valve itself for any unusual wear marks for scratches.
Valves themselves do not sustain damage unless they are aboused when out of their casing but valve casings are vulnerable to dents.
Also try working the valve with the bottom cap off. If the dent is in the cap, you may be able to play it without the cap.
i need help
That’s a little vague….