Bassoon Care
Cleaning the Bore
Wood and pads can be severely damaged by moisture. Swab the bore after every concert, rehearsal and practice, in order to remove the moisture that has been deposited there, as well as for sanitary reasons. This should be done with a pull-through swab. A silk swab works best because it can be dropped down the “unlined” side of the boot and pulled out the “lined” side, pulling the moisture away from the wood and out through the rubber lining. (Although plastic bassoons are impervious to moisture, they should still be swabbed to protect the pads and for sanitary reasons.). After you have swabbed the boot, proceed to the wing joint. There is no need to swab the other joints because they do not come into contact with moisture. https://www.forrestsmusic.com/o-18
Bocal Cleaning
Once a week you should clean your bocal with a bocal brush. I highly recommend avoiding bocal swabs, they get stuck and cause bends and breaks in bocals and do not dislodge debris. A bent Bocal cannot usually be repaired. The replacement cost of the bocals we use in schools is from $250-$375. I recommend the Dutch bocal brush with 6” of cleaning bristles. https://www.forrestsmusic.com/o-24
Lubricants
It is important to know the proper lubricants to use on your instrument. If you have thread floss on the tenon joints, you need to use paraffin wax, “Chop Saver” or "Burt's Bees" to lubricate the joint. Do not use Vaseline, cork grease or any kind of lip balm, other than listed. If you use cork grease, the petroleum base will eat away the cotton thread. For cork portions, such as the bocal, you need to use cork grease.
Body and Keys
After each use, wipe off your instruments keys with a soft cloth. Once a week, use a soft cloth, sprayed with Pledge to wipe off smudges and finger prints from the body of the instrument. Do not spray directly on the instrument. https://www.forrestsmusic.com/o-36
Donna Foley Bassoon Studio
www.learntworeed.com
(903) 805-4797
Wood and pads can be severely damaged by moisture. Swab the bore after every concert, rehearsal and practice, in order to remove the moisture that has been deposited there, as well as for sanitary reasons. This should be done with a pull-through swab. A silk swab works best because it can be dropped down the “unlined” side of the boot and pulled out the “lined” side, pulling the moisture away from the wood and out through the rubber lining. (Although plastic bassoons are impervious to moisture, they should still be swabbed to protect the pads and for sanitary reasons.). After you have swabbed the boot, proceed to the wing joint. There is no need to swab the other joints because they do not come into contact with moisture. https://www.forrestsmusic.com/o-18
Bocal Cleaning
Once a week you should clean your bocal with a bocal brush. I highly recommend avoiding bocal swabs, they get stuck and cause bends and breaks in bocals and do not dislodge debris. A bent Bocal cannot usually be repaired. The replacement cost of the bocals we use in schools is from $250-$375. I recommend the Dutch bocal brush with 6” of cleaning bristles. https://www.forrestsmusic.com/o-24
Lubricants
It is important to know the proper lubricants to use on your instrument. If you have thread floss on the tenon joints, you need to use paraffin wax, “Chop Saver” or "Burt's Bees" to lubricate the joint. Do not use Vaseline, cork grease or any kind of lip balm, other than listed. If you use cork grease, the petroleum base will eat away the cotton thread. For cork portions, such as the bocal, you need to use cork grease.
Body and Keys
After each use, wipe off your instruments keys with a soft cloth. Once a week, use a soft cloth, sprayed with Pledge to wipe off smudges and finger prints from the body of the instrument. Do not spray directly on the instrument. https://www.forrestsmusic.com/o-36
Donna Foley Bassoon Studio
www.learntworeed.com
(903) 805-4797