Five Accessories You Need for the Euphonium
In this blog post, we'll delve into five indispensable accessories that every euphonium player should have at their disposal. From valve oil to cleaning snakes, these items are instrumental in keeping your euphonium in optimal condition. Let's explore the world of euphonium accessories!
1. Valve Oil
Valve oil will keep your valves moving smoothly. If they are feeling a bit hard to push down or aren’t coming back up when you push them down, this can usually be fixed by oiling your valves.
2. Slide Cream/Oil
If you play a non-compensating euphonium, there will be some slides you need to move while playing. Slide cream (or slide oil) will keep these slides moving quickly. If you find yourself without slide cream/oil, valve oil will do the trick. However, it evaporates quickly and you will have to reapply frequently, so it's better to have some cream or oil on hand for your valve slides.
3. Slide Grease
Slide grease is thicker than slide cream and is good for the main tuning slide, as you don’t need this to move freely while playing. Remember to move this slide in and out occasionally to stop it from seizing up.
3. Cleaning Snakes
Cleaning snakes are long with small brushes on both ends. You can pull it through your leadpipe and slides to remove any accumulated build up. This is a safe way to clean your euphonium, as non-flexible brushes may cause dents to your delicate instrument.
5. Mouthpiece Brush
The mouthpiece brush is shorter than your cleaning snake and the perfect size for leaving your mouthpiece spotless. It's a good idea to clean your mouthpiece between full instrument cleans as this is where you will have the most build up.
Optional Item: Cushion
Depending on your build, you may need to place a cushion or towel under the bottom of your euphonium to raise the mouthpiece to sit in line with your mouth.