Trumpet Care
Before you play 

• Oil your valves.  Unscrew the cap on the 1st valve, pull the piston out half way, and put a few drops of valve oil on the wide part of the piston.  Lower the piston back into place and turn it until you hear a click and the piston won't turn further; then screw the cap back on.  Follow the same procedure with the 2nd and 3rd valves.  (Take great care when handling the pistons as the slightest dent will cause them to stick in their casings.)
• Place the mouthpiece into the mouthpiece receiver and gently twist it in.   (If your mouthpiece becomes stuck, bring it to a repair shop. We will pull it for free and not twist off the leadpipe)

When you finish playing

• Hold each water key open and blow the moisture out of your trumpet.
• Remove the mouthpiece and put it in its special compartment in the case (so it doesn't bounce around in the case and dent your trumpet).
• Wipe the fingerprints off your trumpet with your trumpet soft cloth.  (Fingerprints contain acid that will cut through your trumpet's lacquer finish)
• Put your trumpet in its case and fasten the latches.  (Most trumpet damage occurs when the trumpet is left out on a chair, a table, a bed, or on the floor.  If you'd like to leave it out, use a trumpet stand.)
• Check for loose items in your case that could bounce into your trumpet and dent or scratch it. 
• Don't store anything (music, towel, etc.) on top of your trumpet in its case
• Periodically

• Clean your mouthpiece with a mouthpiece brush, dish soap, and warm water.
• Apply a little grease to the slides.  Pull them out one-at-a-time, wipe them clean with a soft cloth, rub a small amount of slide grease on them, and carefully insert them back into your trumpet.
• Every few months wash out the insides of your trumpet to keep it sanitary and working smoothly.  Disassemble your trumpet in a large sink or bathtub of warm water and mild dish soap.  (Be very careful with the disassembled parts. Brush gently scrub the insides of your trumpet.  Rinse thoroughly and dry off the parts. Oil and grease as above. The valve pistons are numbered and must be in the right casings for the trumpet to play; the valve closest to you when you play is #1.  Test play your trumpet; if some of the notes won't play, either the pistons are in the wrong casings or the valve guides didn't click into place.  

Sax Care
Before you play

• Place the thin end of your reed in your mouth to moisten it while you assemble the rest of the saxophone.
• If the cork on the neck is dry, rub a small amount of cork grease on it. 
• Lift the body of your saxophone out of the case by the bell. 
• Hold the body of the saxophone with your left hand.  Loosen the neck screw, and remove the end plug.  Gently twist the neck into the body with your right hand, taking care not to bend the octave key. Tighten the neck screw.
• Twist the mouthpiece (with the cap still on it) gently onto the neck so that it covers approximately ½ of the cork.
• Remove the mouthpiece cap and with the ligature already around the mouthpiece, slide the thick end of the reed under the ligature and align the tip of the reed with the tip of the mouthpiece.  Tighten the ligature screws to hold the reed firmly in place.
• Put the neck strap around your neck and attach the hook to the ring on the back of the saxophone.  Adjust the length of the strap so you can comfortably put the mouthpiece in your mouth.    

When you finish playing
Disassemble your saxophone in reverse order above.

• Use your swab to remove moisture from inside your saxophone’s body and neck.  Drop the weighted end and string down the bell and turn the instrument upside down so the weight falls through the body; pull the swab through the body to absorb the moisture. (The tan leather pads under each key seal the air flow when you play; moisture will cause the pads to get stiff and leak air, making your saxophone harder to play.)
• Remove the reed from your mouthpiece and place it in your reed holder.  (Your reed holder protects your reed and keeps it from warping.) 
• Put your saxophone in its case and fasten both latches.  (Most saxophone damage occurs when the instrument is left out on a bed or a chair, or on the floor.  If you'd like to leave it out, use a saxophone stand.)
• Check for loose objects in your case that could bounce into your saxophone, scratching or denting it.  Don't put anything on top of your saxophone in its case as it would press on the keys and bend them out of adjustment.

Periodically
          Clean your mouthpiece with a mouthpiece brush and warm water.

• Clean the finish of your saxophone thoroughly with a soft  cloth. 
• Wash out your swab or replace it with a new one.

 

Trombone Care
Before you play

• Before removing the slide from the case, check to see that the slide lock is locked; then take the slide from the case.  Connect the slide to the slide receiver on the bell section and tighten the slide receiver. 
• While holding the trombone with your left hand, place the mouthpiece into the mouthpiece receiver and gently twist it.  (If your mouthpiece becomes stuck, bring it to a repair shop.)
• Unlock the slide, pull the inner slide out, put a few drops of slide oil on each side, and insert it back into the outer slide.  (The inner slide is a close fit into the outer slide so that air doesn't leak when you play.  To keep the slide moving freely without leaking air, keep it clean and be careful not to dent or bend it.) 

When you finish playing

• Lock the slide lock (so your slide doesn't fall out and get bent).
• Hold the water key open and blow the moisture out of your trombone.
• Remove the mouthpiece and put it in its special compartment (so it doesn't bounce around in the case and dent your trombone).
• Wipe the fingerprints off your trombone with your soft cloth.
• Put your trombone in its case and fasten the latches.  (Most trombone damage occurs when it's left out on a chair, a table, a bed, or on the floor.  If you'd like to leave it out, use a trombone stand.)
• Don't store anything (music, a towel, paper, etc.) on top of your trombone in its case as they will push on it and bend it.

Periodically;  Clean your mouthpiece with a mouthpiece brush, dish soap, and warm water.

• Apply a little grease to the tuning slide.  Pull it out, wipe it clean with a soft cloth, rub a small amount of slide grease on both sides, and carefully insert it back into your trombone.
• Every few months wash out the insides of your trombone to keep it sanitary and working smoothly.  Disassemble your trombone in a large sink or bathtub of warm water and mild dish soap.  (Be very careful with the disassembled parts as the smallest dent will prevent your slide from moving quickly and smoothly.  A soft towel on the counter and at the bottom of the sink or tub will cushion any falls.)  Use your brushes to gently scrub inside the tubes.  Rinse thoroughly and dry off the parts.  Apply a small amount of grease to the tuning slide and put it back into your trombone.  Apply a few drops of slide oil to the slide, put it back together, and lock the slide lock. 

 

Flute Care
Assembly

• Pick up the middle joint of your flute and grasp it with your left hand where the name is engraved (so you're not putting pressure on the keys).  Pick up the head joint with your right hand and slide it into the middle joint with a gentle twisting motion.  Turn the head joint until the center of the embouchure hole lines up with the center of the main row of keys.
• While still holding the middle joint at the engraved name, slide the foot joint on in the same way without putting pressure on the keys.  Line up the foot joint so the rod connected to the Eb key is in line with the keys on the middle joint.

When you finish playing

• Disassemble your flute in the reverse order above.
• Use your swab to remove moisture from inside your flute’s head, middle, and foot joints.  (The cream-colored pads under each key seal the air flow when you play.  Moisture causes the pads to get stiff and leak, making your flute harder to play.)
• Use your soft cloth to wipe the fingerprints off your flute.  (Fingerprints contain acid and will eat into the finish of your flute, making it look dull.)
• Put your flute in its case and fasten both latches.  (Most flute damage occurs when it's left out on a music stand, a table, a chair, a bed, or on the floor.  If you'd like to leave it out, use a flute stand.)
• Don't store anything (music, paper, a cloth, etc.) on top of your flute in its case as it will push on the keys and bend them out of adjustment, making your flute hard to play.

Periodically

• Clean the finish of your flute thoroughly with a flute polish cloth.  (The flute polish cloth contains a small amount of polish; liquid polish isn't recommended because it can damage the flute pads.)
• Wash out your swab or replace it with a new one.
• Don't tighten the tiny adjustment screws on the keys.  (They're not supposed to be tightened all the way down; instead they're used by the technician to adjust your flute’s keys so they work together properly.) 

Violin and Viola
Assembly

• Put shoulder rest/sponge no the the back of your instrument "under" the chin rest. Make sure the curve on the shoulder rest creates a zero shape  [ (  ) ] with the rounded edge of the instrument NOT  [ ) ) ] 
• When you use your bow make sure you tighten the bow to the point that space between the hair and the stick in only the width of a pencil in the middle of the bow.  If you over tighten the bow it will not have the correct shape to best help you as you play. 
• Rosin your bow as needed. If you scratch your rosin a little bit it will go on your bow much easier.  If you are playing about        30 min - 1 hour a day then you should rosin your bow about every other time you play.  If you play more then you will likely need to rosin your bow each time you play. 
• Note: Do Not touch the bow hair or rosin with your hands/fingers.  The oil from our hands will prevent the rosin from sticking to the bow. 

 ​ Tuning your instrument

• For the first 3-4 years of playing the student should ONLY be using the fine tuners to tune their instrument.  If it needs more then have their director or teacher tune their instrument for them.  The tuning pegs are friction fit and if not handled properly and carefully may cause the string to break ($10-$35 each)   

If you need to set down you instrument 

• It is always best to set your instrument in the case is you have to set it down (without taking the shoulder rest/sponge off) 
• The same goes for your bow.  The second best place to set you bow is on your music stand.  
• Never leave your instrument or bow on a chair, couch or the floor. 
• The bridge is also very fragile.  If it falls out don't panic.  They are held on by the strings and are NOT glued in place.  Just have the director put it back on or bring it to the music store to have it out back on. ​
  
• Note: Your instrument and bow are very delicate so treat them like they are made of glass.  

When you finish playing

• Loosen your bow before you put it away. If you leave it tight it will eventually not stay tight anymore and you will need to get a new bow (between $60 - $180) 
• Take the should rest/sponge off and make sure it goes back in your case. If you leave the shoulder rest/sponge on, the violin will not fit in the case properly and can cause damage to the instrument. 
• Make sure to wipe off any rosin dust from the strings, figure board, body of the  instrument. Rosin is sticky and will build up a sticky residue if not taken care of.  

String care

• students should wipe of rosin dust from their strings each time they play
• Strings should be changed periodically.  If the student plays every day for 1 - 2 hours a day the strings should be changed ever 12 - 18 months.
• Strings are ready to be changed is if the strings begin to sound dead or false. 
• The metal winding in the strings, or major dents in the strings can also happen and would call for new strings. 

Where to store your instrument

• If it is too hot or cold for you, it is too hot or cold for your instrument. 
• Store between 60 and 75 degrees.  
• Do not leave the instrument in the car on warm or cold days. If you will be shopping for a while it is best to keep the instrument at home or carry it with you in the store. 
• Note: If your instrument gets too cold the glue that holds the instrument together could become brittle and or if it becomes too warm the glue can become too soft and not hold... both resulting in your instrument literally fall apart. The Wood itself can also become brittle or crack if it is becomes too cold or warm.    

Cello and Upright Bass
Assembly

• Lay the instrument on its side.  Pull the end pin out to the correct length depending on what will fit you best.  
  • Cello: the C string peg should be at ear height and the bottom C bout corner should be at you knees.  
    
  •  Bass: the nut should be at the top of your forehead, the end pin should be in front of your left foot.  Turn the Bass slightly inward to the right and lean it against your left side/stomach. 
• When you use your bow make sure you tighten the bow to the point that space between the hair and the stick in only the width of a pencil (Cello)  or a lip balm tube (bass) in the middle of the bow.  If you over tighten the bow it will not have the correct shape to best help you as you play. 
• Rosin your bow as needed. If you scratch your rosin a little bit it will go on your bow much easier.  If you are playing about        30 min - 1 hour a day then you should rosin your bow about every other time you play.  If you play more then you will likely need to rosin your bow each time you play. 
• Note: Do Not touch the bow hair or rosin with your hands/fingers.  The oil from our hands will prevent the rosin from sticking to the bow. 

​Tuning your instrument

• For the first 3-4 years of playing the student should ONLY be using the fine tuners to tune their instrument (cello).  If it needs more then have their director or teacher tune their instrument for them.  The tuning pegs are friction fit and if not handled properly and carefully may cause the string to break ($15-$45 each <cello>).
  
• The Tuning pegs are geared on a bass and are the only way to tune a bass and they are much less prone to breaking. Pegs are fine to use on and upright bass ($25-$55 each<bass>).

If you need to set down you instrument 

• It is always best to set your instrument on its side if you have to set it down. Never lay it down on the back or front of the instrument and walk away.
  
• The best place to set you bow is on your music stand, or if you have a bow bag on the bass the bow can set in there until you need it to play with but should not be left in there when putting the instrument away. 
• Never leave your bow on a chair, couch or the floor. 
• Set the neck part of the instrument in the most protected spot possible, it is common for other people or even the student playing to trip on the neck if it is out and exposed.  If the neck is tripped on, kicked, or even just bumped too hard, it can cause the neck to break off completely!!!
• The bridge is also very fragile.  If it falls out don't panic.  They are held on by the strings and are NOT glued in place.  Just have the director put it back on or bring it to the music store to have it out back on. 
  
• Note: Your instrument and bow are very delicate so treat them like they are made of glass.  

When you finish playing

• Loosen your bow before you put it away. If you leave it tight it will eventually not stay tight anymore and you will need to get a new bow (between $90 - $200 <cello>  $185 - $300 <Bass>) 
• Make sure to wipe off any rosin dust from the strings, figure board, body of the  instrument. Rosin is sticky and will build up a sticky residue if not taken care of.  
  

String care

• students should wipe of rosin dust from their strings each time they play
• Strings should be changed periodically.  If the student plays every day for 1 - 2 hours a day the strings should be changed ever 12 - 18 months.
• Strings are ready to be changed is if the strings begin to sound dead or false. 
• The metal winding in the strings, or major dents in the strings can also happen and would call for new strings. 

Where to store your instrument

• If it is too hot or cold for you, it is too hot or cold for your instrument. 
• Store between 60 and 75 degrees.  
• Do not leave the instrument in the car on warm or cold days. If you will be shopping for a while it is best to keep the instrument at home or carry it with you in the store. 
• Note: If your instrument gets too cold the glue that holds the instrument together could become brittle and or if it becomes too warm the glue can become too soft and not hold... both resulting in your instrument literally fall apart. The Wood itself can also become brittle or crack if it is becomes too cold or warm.  

Here's what is on the rental contract

Clearwater Music
113 E Magnesium
Suite E
Spokane, Washington 99208
(509) 892 3809
www.clearwatermusicserves.com
Rental Amount_______plus tax. Payments ____1st _____15th Instrument____________________________________ Serial #________________ Purchase Price $__________plus tax Lease___ Lease Amount $__________plus tax; End Date____________

The Legal Stuff:
All rent paid on time will apply towards the retail purchase of the instrument you have or one of equal or greater value for the same musician and same family of instruments. No discounts apply. All rents are paid in advance.
If leasing, the leaser will be charged the monthly rental rate after date of expiration on lease contract until the instrument is returned or paid in full.
The instrument is warrantied for one year after the purchase. Rent paid is non-refundable and not pro-rated.
IF YOUR CREDIT CARD IS DENIED, THERE WILL BE A $5 minimum SURCHARGE EACH TIME WE ATTEMPT TO COLLECT THE FUNDS OWED.
Fine Print:
Ownership of the instrument remains with Clearwater Music until account is paid in full including all fees owed. Bankruptcy does not permit renter to keep the instrument! Renter will not create nor permit the existence of any lien of security interest in said property. Renter agrees to notify Clearwater Music of any change of address, phone, or credit information within 30 days of change. Renter agrees to pay on demand the amount of all expenses incurred by Clearwater in efforts to collect the indebtedness incurred hereby and in protecting or returning the property. In the event matters are referred to an attorney, Renter agrees to pay all costs, and court fees. . Upon default of this agreement, you (the Renter) agree Clearwater Music representatives may immediately enter Renter’s dwelling or other premises and remove said property from Renter’s possession. Renter also agrees that the rent shall continue to accrue until said items are returned to the store in the same condition as rented. In the event of Renter’s failure to return said property within 10 days of due date, mailing of demand letter, or other contact, Clearwater may declare all delinquent rental payments, delinquency charges, and the full purchase price due and owing immediately. Per RCW 945.062; Renter’s failure to return the property will result in CRIMINAL prosecution, which is a FELONY! This agreement is non-transferable.
The party signing the contract is responsible for the instrument until returned to Clearwater Music. Although we will do everything we can to support your child’s musical experience, we do not guarantee the student will practice or enjoy said experience.
I have read and understand the above contract agreement and agree to its terms.
Signature________________________________ Date__________
Student Signature___________________________ Grade_______ School______________________________________________