All parts of a trombone need to work together for the instrument to work. This is the reason a small issue can throw the entire trombone off and impact its sound. Also, this affects your ability to play the instrument. Just like other instruments, you must be aware of the common problems associated with trombones and understand the causes and solutions to these. Generally, a professional repair technician that specializes in trombone repair near me can address these problems. If you want to learn to play the trombone, this post will walk you through some of the common problems associated with trombones:

Slow Functioning Rotor

This can be repaired by oiling the rotor’s inside. The bell part of the instrument must be removed from the slide part. Then, you must pull out the tuning slides on the pipes attached to the rotor. Drops of valve oil should be dripped down the tubes into the rotor. Press the trigger many times and take away the rotor cap and add drops of oil inside the rotor. If this doesn’t solve the problem, bring your instrument to a technician.

Stuck Mouthpieces

The mouthpiece of the trombone has a shape that makes it easy to get stuck. This problem is also common in other instruments such as saxophones, trumpets, and other brass instruments. In general, you need to ensure the mouthpiece fits snugly enough to prevent air from escaping. A looser mouthpiece runs the risk of having the mouthpiece fall out while being played. If your trombone mouthpiece gets stuck, take it to an experienced repair technician with a special tool to remove stuck mouthpieces without damaging the trombone.

Stuck Slides

There are two slides in a trombone that can get stuck. The playing slide is made up two inner slides and two outer slides made to fit together with a small gap that nearly no air can leak through. The entire playing side will function sluggishly when there is even a small dent or debris stuck in those slides. If the slide has debris or dirt, it will stick intermittently. You can address this by taking the trombone apart and giving it a bath with warm water and mild soap. But, if this does not solve the issue, take the trombone to a technician.

Broken Soldier Joints

When a trombone is accidentally dropped or twisted, you must go to a technician right away. The repair includes heating the joint with a gas torch to melt the solder and restoring around the joint. The repair technician will then clean your trombone. You can avoid this kind of repair by keeping your instrument safely stored in a sturdy trombone case.