Posted by Chuck(G) on November 08, 2003 at 12:19:06:
In Reply to: Care of a new tuba posted by Debbie on November 07, 2003 at 11:46:44:
The most important items I can think of is to keep the instrument clean on the inside and keep the valves lubricated. A good warm-water muck-out in a padded bathtub every six months or a year or so will help to keep the calcium deposits at bay and keep dirt from migrating into the valves where it can cause damage.
Never play the instrument after drinking or eating unless the mouth has been cleaned. Bits of food and sugary drinks are hell on a leadpipe and valves.
Avoid over-polishing the horn. The silver plating is very thin (about 9 or 10 microns, as compared to the thickness of a human hair, which is about 60 microns) and can be worn away by silver polishes, regardless of claims of being non-abrasive. Removing tarnish implies removing silver that has combined with other elements to form tarnish. A soft cloth and some glass cleaner should be all that's required to remove fingerprints and slobber marks right after playing. Leave the agressive polishing for the rare "really special-"gotta look good" occasions. And remember, unless it's a solo gig, all anyone's going to see of the instrument from the audience is going to be the bell anyway.
The home for the tuba, if it's going to last, should be a hard case, not a gig bag. Encourage your son to think of the instrument as a fragile violin, not a shiny tin can.
No matter what your offspring does, eventually, there's going to be some sort of mishap and the tuba will acquire "beauty marks". Make it clear that you understand this eventuality and encourage your child to seek professional repair services, not to attempt repairs himself.
Best of luck to you and your son.