Brass instruments, featuring metal alloys in their bodies and moving parts, are sensitive to weather and moisture. These factors affect their acoustic properties and can lead to costly repairs if you don’t care for them properly. In this article we will find out how temperature and humidity affect trumpets, flugelhorns, French horns, and other instruments, and what you can do to protect them.
Brass and Temperature
Brass as an alloy of copper and zinc expands and contracts with temperature changes. When exposed to warm or hot weather, brass expands, while cold temperatures make it contract. These processes lead to changes in the shape and dimensions of the instrument’s bore size and the tuning slide positions that affects its intonation and pitch. Temperature variations also impact valves making them sticky in cold weather or sluggish in warm temperatures.
Brass and Moisture
Temperature changes cause moisture and condensation within instruments. Warm air from the musician’s breath entering a cool instrument creates condensation inside the tubing and leads to moisture buildup.
Although brass is thought to be resistant to corrosion, the combination of moisture and oxygen makes the material tarnish. When affected by moisture with acidic residues from hands and saliva it can even lead to the weakening of the metal.
Moisture and high humidity levels accelerate corrosion and oxidation, especially in areas where moisture accumulates. The most vulnerable parts are inside the tubing and around valves.
Over time, when frequently exposed to moisture and not properly cared for, the instruments begin to lose their playability. Excessive moisture reduces their responsiveness, while also leading to problems with valve and slide movement.
What You Can Do To Protect Brass Instruments From Moisture and Temperature Changes
If everything is so bad and danger is waiting at each step, what can you do to reduce the negative impact of moisture and weather? Here is a list of tips that may help.
1. Proper Storage
To travel from home to music school or rehearsal place you need a reliable hard case with padding and warming layering aimed at protecting from sudden temperature shifts. You can also use gig bags, made from genuine leather with water-resistant properties. They are more effective than nylon cases and can slow down how quickly heat or cold reaches the instrument inside.
However, they provide temperature protection only to a certain extent. If you leave the gig bag with the instrument in a hot car or frosty weather for hours, it may end with undesirable consequences, as leather only slows temperature change.
When storing your instrument at home, avoid places near heating/AC vents as brass can heat or cool very quickly. Choose the room for storage with 40–60% relative humidity to reduce corrosion risk. Ensure that your instrument isn’t affected by direct sunlight or radiators.
To absorb moisture during storage, you may use silica gel packs.
2. Protection from Hand Sweat
Moisture comes not only from your breath and environment. Hand sweat remains one of the most underestimated causes of corrosion in brass instruments. As it’s salty it speeds up oxidation and can eat through lacquer/plating over time.
To protect the surface of your instruments in areas affected by sweat from hands, you can use special hand wraps and covers. Valve guards and horn hand guards can reduce the impact of moisture and friction and thus help your instruments stay protective from corrosion. However, when using genuine leather covers you need to remove them after each practice session to let them dry from absorbed moisture.
Alternatively, you can wear lightweight cotton or synthetic gloves for playing sessions. They help prevent direct skin contact with the metal without affecting grip.
3. Cleaning
To prevent the accumulation of moisture you need to regularly clean your instrument. Wipe it off after each playing session with a soft towel. Pay special attention to valve casing areas and slide grips. Always wipe your instrument’s surface before putting it into your storage bag.
Regularly clean your instrument with a flexible cleaning snake. It effectively helps get rid of moisture and buildup in tubing. Give the instrument a full bath once a month and ensure that you let it dry completely before putting it back into the bag.
4. Maintenance
Oil valves and grease slides as lubricating creates a barrier against moisture. Lubricated valves and slides also provide you with smooth operation. If you play in cold weather, use thicker oils; if you use your brass instrument in hot or humid conditions, use thinner oils.
Ensure that your lacquer finish has no scratches as exposed brass corrodes faster.
Let your instrument adjust to the environment and acclimate before playing. If you have just come from cold weather, leave the instrument in a closed case for 15–30 minutes before opening. Same for coming from hot to cold.
Be prepared to do some tuning adjustments if you perform outdoors or in situations where temperature alters.
Final Word
Humidity and temperature alterations can affect brass instruments and increase risks for corrosion, sticky valves, and acoustic changes. To reduce these negative impacts you should properly care for your trumpets, trombones and other instruments, by using reliable and water resistant cases, keeping them away from heaters, and avoiding leaving them in the car for long periods. Cleaning and using protective accessories also matters. By wiping your brass instruments and covering their vulnerable parts with hand wraps you can maintain their glossy finish in the best condition.
You can learn more about how to care for your instruments by reading our article about Reasons Why Brass Instrument Maintenance is Important.
In our category of Brass & Woodwind Instruments Gear you can find many useful cleaning tools.