Trumpet Fixes You Can Do Yourself (and When to Call a Pro)

Although your trumpet’s construction looks solid and durable at first glance, it’s actually a very delicate instrument. Even minor problems like dents, sticky valves, and air leaks can greatly impact your trumpet sound and make it harder to play. As a trumpeter, you are likely to face issues that are easy to handle by yourself, as well as those that require a professional approach. In this article, we will explore trumpet fixes you can do yourself and when it’s better to go to a pro.

Trumpet Issues That You Can Safely Fix Yourself

1. Sticky Valves

You are likely to face this issue if your trumpet valves seem to function slowly, feel sluggish, or get stuck once you press them. Sticky valves result in uneven sound when notes do not come out cleanly. If you experience sticky valves, it may be the result of accumulated dirt or incorrect alignment.

How to Fix:

1. Unscrew the top caps and lift the valve halfway out.
2. Take a soft cloth and remove dirt.
3. Lubricate valves with a few drops of trumpet valve oil. Work them up and down to distribute the oil. Make sure that the valve guides fit into their slots. Avoid over-oiling.
   

2. Stuck Mouthpiece

This is your case if you twist your mouthpiece, pull, and nothing happens, no matter how hard your effort is. 

How to Fix:

1. Twist your mouthpiece gently and pull straight out. If it doesn’t move, stop. 
2. Use a mouthpiece puller to lift the mouthpiece without bending the receiver or leadpipe. This tool provides even pressure without damaging the instrument. 
3. If you don’t have a puller, take your instrument to a repair shop.

3. Clogged Mouthpiece

You definitely have this problem if the air feels restricted when you blow your trumpet. The issue always comes with dull and slightly off-pitch sound. You can also recognize this problem by visible defects like the accumulation of residue or dried saliva inside your mouthpiece.

How to Fix:

1. Fill the basin with warm (not hot) soapy water.
2. Soak your mouthpiece there for a few minutes. 
3. Scrub the inside of your instrument with a mouthpiece brush, twisting it gently through both ends. 
4. Rinse the mouthpiece with clean water and let it dry before reinstalling back. 

Tip: To avoid the dirty buildup and prevent the growth of bacteria, clean your mouthpiece after each practice session or performance. Store and carry your mouthpieces in specially designed pouches to protect them from dust and dirt. 

4. Stuck Tuning Slides

You will recognize this problem when your tuning slide or the first/third valve slides become harder to move or don’t move at all. The problem with these parts makes it difficult to adjust pitch.

How to Fix:

If your slides move a bit, pull them out, clean the tubes with a soft cloth, and then apply a small amount of tuning slide grease to the slides and work them back and forth a few times to let the grease spread. Be careful not to apply too much grease.

5. Air Leaks or Resistance While Blowing

You are likely to have this issue if the airflow feels blocked or harder than usual, or if notes don’t respond properly. 

How to Fix:

Check whether each valve is in its correct casing and the valve guide clicks into place. All slides should be fully inserted with no gaps around.

When It’s Time for a Trumpet Technician 

Now, let’s review the issues that need professional help: 

• You notice air leaks, or you have persistent resistance when blowing the trumpet. This may be the result of a dent or leak that can be fixed by a pro. A professional shop with lapping and replating equipment can effectively restore your instrument parts. 
• Your tuning slide is completely stuck. Do not apply force to avoid bending the tubing. Contact a professional as soon as possible.  
• You accidentally dropped the trumpet. Even if everything seems fine with your instrument at first glance, there still can be unseen bends. Moreover, even a small dent in the leadpipe or tuning slide can affect your tone.
• A soldered joint or brace seems to feel loose or detached. This is definitely not the case for trying soldering at home. Without precise tools, you risk burning the lacquer, melting joints, or warping the tubing. The professionals have precise torches and low-heat silver solder to resolve this issue with minimal risk.
  
• Slides or valves don’t move even after cleaning.  It’s better to call for a technician, as pulling them harder increases the risk of snapping off the stem or bending the casing. 

Useful Habits: How to Keep Your Trumpet in Proper Condition 

Make regular valve lubrication and greasing the slides part of your trumpet care routine. Trumpet valves need to glide freely. Even a few hours of dryness can make them feel sticky. The same goes for slides: once they get stiff, you need to remove them carefully, wipe off old grease, and reapply a new layer. Always use specially designed slide grease and oil for your specific instrument to maintain all mechanisms in proper condition. 

Once a month, you should give your horn a good bath for deeper cleaning. This process comes in a few steps: 

1. Remove all slides and valves.
2. Place the trumpet (without felt pads or corks) in a bathtub or sink filled with warm (not hot!) water with a few drops of dish soap. Let it soak for 10–15 minutes to remove dirt.
3. Clean the tubing by using a flexible snake brush. 
4. Clean valve casings with a brush for the valve chambers.
5. Rinse the instrument thoroughly and let it completely dry.

Alternatively, you can use an Aqua Nozzle, a cleaning accessory that effectively removes dirt and particles from the inside of your trumpet. It's simply: connect the Aqua Nozzle to a shower or garden hose, insert the nozzle into the lead pipe, and turn on the water.

Proper storage also matters. Put the instrument in a flannel bag or leather case, valves down, with no pressure on the bell. Avoid quick temperature changes. When you go from the outside to a warm room, let your instrument adjust to the temperature first before playing to avoid stressing solder joints and cracking lacquer.

Final Word

We hope our article helps you gain a deeper understanding of when it’s possible to fix your trumpet issues at home and when it’s better to contact a professional. You can do trumpet cleaning, valve oiling, and caring for slides by yourself. But anything that involves solder or internal parts belongs to a tech. Remember that even the best players have issues. It’s impossible to avoid them, but great players know when to fix something by themselves and when to stop and call a professional.

We’ve already mentioned some helpful caring advice, but you can find more tips in our Trumpet Care and Maintenance Guide.