Learning how to clean a Euphonium is not difficult as long as you know the correct steps to take. On this page you will find tips, general information and step by step instructions on how to go about cleaning a Euphonium.

An inventor named Sommer of Wiemar was credited in 1843 with the invention of the Euphonium even though the instrument emerged in the late 1820's in German military bands together with the baritone. The Euphonium is a so called wind instrument and if played by a capable musician it can reach up to four full octaves. The Euphonium is often compared and confused with the tuba, the saxhorn and the baritone. The fact that some people refer to the instrument as a baritone horn only adds to the confusion.http://www.docstoc.com/docs/2198574/HISTORY-OF-THE-BARITONE-AND-THE-EUPHONIUM

The Euphonium is a favorite of many performers, band directors and composers because of its tone and wide range. The name of the instrument actually means sweet voices or great voices in the Greek language. If you are interested in learning how to play the Euphonium, make sure to visit the Mahalo page on this topic. If you are already own a Euphonium, you will need to know how to take care of the instrument and how to clean it. Hopefully the steps below will be of some help to you.http://www.alsmiddlebrasspages.com/brasshistory/euphhistory.html

In order to complete the cleaning processes in the steps below, you will need the following items:

• ■ Cleaning snake
• ■ Mouthpiece brush
• ■ Valve brush
• ■ Valve oil
• ■ Turning slide grease
• ■ Towel
• ■ Soft cloths and/or rags
• ■ Bath tub
• ■ Bowl of water
• ■ Dish washing soap

If you play the Euphonium every day, it is important to take good care of it. The following steps can serve as a guide to cleaning your Euphonium:

1. Clean the mouthpiece every time after playing. Use warm soapy water and a mouthpiece brush. (If you don't clean your Euphonium, you risk bacteria built up and the instrument can even start to smell).
2. Take a clean, dry cloth to remove any fingerprints, dirt and oil from the instrument.
3. If needed add valve oil and turning slide grease. (Make sure before you do this, to remove any old oil and grease that may be present. Use a dry rag to do this).
4. Make sure to keep all parts of the instrument lubricated so they don't get stuck. If they do, make sure to bring the instrument to your teacher or to the store where you bought it.http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/clarkedc/Maintenance/euphonium.htm

About once every month you want to give the Euphonium a bath. You want to make sure to get rid of any built up that may make it hard to use the valves. To do this do the following:

1. Remove all the instrument's valves, caps and springs and soak them in the bowl of water.
2. Wet a soft cloth and put dish washing soap on it. Use this cloth to clean the soaking Euphonium parts one by one.
3. Rinse all the part with water, dry them and set them aside.
4. Fill the bath tub with about 8 inches of lukewarm water
5. Put one side of the cleaning snake into the bath tub with water and apply dish washing soap to it.
6. Use the cleaning snake to clean each tuning slide.
7. Rinse all the soap out of the tuning slides.
8. Use the cleaning snake to clean the location where the tuning slides used to be. Rinse.
9. Use the valve brush, wet it and apply dish washing soap and use it to clean the location where the valves used to be. Rinse.
10. Dry the Euphonium off.
11. Apply valve oil on the valves before placing them back on the instrument.
12. Work the tuning slide grease on the tubes of the instrument.
13. Use the mouthpiece brush, together with soap and water, on the mouthpiece of the instrument. Rinse and dry.http://w3.qtm.net/coopbecgar/taking_care_baritone.htm

On an everyday basis you will have to take care of your Euphonium. If you play the instrument often, you want to make sure that you know how to care for it so that it doesn't get damaged. Here are some points to look out for:

• ■ When you're not using the instrument, keep it in its case.
• ■ After playing the instrument, lay it in its open case so it can dry.
• ■ Keep little brothers or sisters away from the instrument.
• ■ If the mouthpiece gets stuck, contact your teacher or music store. Don't use inappropriate tools to get it unstuck.
• ■ If your instruments has dents in it, make sure to notify your teacher of this. Also, if there is something wrong with the instrument, don't try to fix it yourself. Always ask a teacher for advice or take the instrument to the music store.
• ■ Wash hands before playing the instrument.
• ■ Keep food and drinks away from the Euphonium.
• ■ Never sit on the case with the instrument in it.
• ■ Don't leave the instrument lying around in extreme temperatures.
• ■ Never stand the instrument upright on its bell.
• ■ Don't keep any other objects in the case with the Euphonium in it
• ■ Keep sheet music outside of the Euphonium's case
• ■ Euphonium accessories can be stored in the side pocket of the case.
• ■ Learn how to assemble and disassemble your instrument.

http://www2.hcpss.org/music/instcare-euph.pdfhttp://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/clarkedc/Maintenance/euphonium.htm