Ken wrote: "It is when the moisture comes in contact with the Zinc in the brass of your horn that the horn can become more susceptible to dezincification (red rot). A thin film of oil not only prevents this, but it also keeps your horn CLEAN. Of course, it's also a good idea to provide oil for all parts that come in conctact with each other, AND the film of oil will also create a better seal for your valves." I believe Ken. My brother is a retired metallurgist ... I'm not sure how to spell it, but he's a scientist who specializes in metals. He told me that metals are corroded by three main things: (1) moisture, (2)air, and (3) being in contact with a different kind of metal (such as brass valves inside nickle silver casings). A thin coating of oil inside the whole horn is the only way to protect the metals from all three corrosive elements. After I thoroughly clean & dry my horn and grease the slides, I pour in tablespoon or two of ultra-refined lamp oil, swish it around & around while flicking the valves, then dump out the excess. It doesn't melt the slide grease near the valves because I never pull out the valve slides until it's time to clean my horn again. (This is possible because water in the valves of a Holton horn can be drained w/o removing the valve slides.)
My valves are slick & quick. If they do slow down between cleanings, I few drops of valve oil added to the slide closest to the Bb change valve usually takes care of the problem. If it doesn't, that means it's time for another cleaning. When I bought my first horn, a Holton 179, the music store technician told me not to oil my valves, only the rotor posts. I followed his instructions and my valves were always sluggish. I got sick of it, so I cleaned my horn with warm dish soap, water, a brush then dried it, and oiled it well, according to Philip Farkas's instructions that came with the horn. The valves became slick & quick and stay that way in both my Holton horns as long as I clean & oil them per Farkas's instructions. So. . . a professional horn player/designer actually knew more about horn maintainance than a music store technician. Imagine that? Valerie Wells The Balanced Embouchure for Horn ____________________________________________________________ Click here to find the perfect banking opportunity! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/BLSrjnsKoDNspiampgG8gw4lAock9hyktCJlLKFWMFfdkviKA9YwoUnIFVm/ _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
