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Thread: Instrument cleaning

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
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    Vinton,VA
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    Instrument cleaning

    Does anyone have experience comparing spitballs to blow dry brass for on the fly instrument cleaning? If so, do you have a preference?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
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    Summerfield, Florida Sturgis, SD (summers)
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    I hadn't heard of BlowDry Brass before this post. I looked it up. Seems that product has a bit different purpose. Spitballs for cleaning out gunk, and BlowDry Brass for "drying" your horn after playing to prevent gunk. Or did I get that wrong? And I wonder if you can reuse the BlowDry gizmos as there doesn't appear to be many in the package. I would be interested to hear more from folks who have used both as Roger asks above.
    John Morgan
    The U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own) 1971-1976
    Adams E3 Custom Series Euphonium, 1956 B&H Imperial Euphonium,
    1973 F. E. Olds & Son Studio Model T-31 Baritone
    Adams TB1 Tenor Trombone, Yamaha YBL-822G Bass Trombone
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    Kingdom of the Sun (KOS) Concert Band, Ocala, FL (Euphonium)
    KOS Brass Quintet (Trombone, Euphonium)
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    Rapid City Municipal Band, Rapid City, SD (Euphonium)
    Rapid City New Horizons Band (Euphonium)

  3. #3
    I contacted the Blow Dry folks a while back after I saw an Instagram post from Trent Austin about them. At that time, they only made them for trumpet. Given the larger bore of a modern euphoniium, I would not expect them to do anything substantial for cleaning. They would probably absorb some of the water on their way through, but I doubt it would get the horn "dry" in any real sense. I decided it was not worth the effort to buy some and try them.

    If anyone has tried them on euphonium please let us all know!
    Dave Werden (ASCAP)
    Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
    Adams Artist (Adams E3)
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  4. #4
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    Vinton,VA
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    I didn't realize they were only for trumpet, but that answers my question. Thanks, David and John.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2011
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    Valley City, North Dakota, USA
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    Quote Originally Posted by davewerden View Post
    I contacted the Blow Dry folks a while back after I saw an Instagram post from Trent Austin about them. At that time, they only made them for trumpet. Given the larger bore of a modern euphoniium, I would not expect them to do anything substantial for cleaning. They would probably absorb some of the water on their way through, but I doubt it would get the horn "dry" in any real sense. I decided it was not worth the effort to buy some and try them.
    I noticed as per this YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QL8g5AcT7E) that you (Dave) have been using this system (blowing it through the leadpipe and out the tuning slide).

    I have picked up one of these, but have modified how I use it slightly. It seemed to me that if you blow this through your horn, you are still putting some moisture from your mouth back into the horn (behind the foam as it goes through the horn). So, I use one of these (see attached image) to blow the foam through. Completely dry air.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Larry Herzog Jr.

    All things EUPHONIUM! Guilded server

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by iMav View Post
    I noticed as per this YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QL8g5AcT7E) that you (Dave) have been using this system (blowing it through the leadpipe and out the tuning slide).

    I have picked up one of these, but have modified how I use it slightly. It seemed to me that if you blow this through your horn, you are still putting some moisture from your mouth back into the horn (behind the foam as it goes through the horn). So, I use one of these (see attached image) to blow the foam through. Completely dry air.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	329231320_1815592988839552_229691123261174458_n.jpg 
Views:	11 
Size:	302.4 KB 
ID:	9998
    Nice!
    Dave Werden (ASCAP)
    Euphonium Soloist, U.S. Coast Guard Band, retired
    Adams Artist (Adams E3)
    Alliance Mouthpiece (DC3)
    YouTube: dwerden
    Facebook: davewerden
    Twitter: davewerden
    Instagram: davewerdeneuphonium

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2011
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    Valley City, North Dakota, USA
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    Of course, this is even more of an ordeal when dealing with a trigger (disconnecting that as well as part of the process).

    I'm guessing with the air compressor, I could just blow it through the entire horn...probably end up in the bottom bow and then just dump it out. (heck, if that is the case, that might be PREFERABLE to having it go flying out the horn...definitely need to test that out now!)
    Groups
    Valley City Community Band
    Valley City State University Concert Band
    2024 North Dakota Intercollegiate Band (you're never too old!)


    Larry Herzog Jr.

    All things EUPHONIUM! Guilded server

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