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To swab, or not to swab... (Part II:The Revenge)

© Chris Mindel

Let's move into some other areas of saxophone care. You will need two types of lubricant for your instrument: cork grease and key oil. I prefer the type of cork grease that is in the tubes like lip gloss. It is easy to apply and doesn't get all over your fingers. [If you are lucky, you're instrument will develop an oddity that mine has. I no longer use cork grease. I slide the mouthpiece on until it is firm. After a few years, my neckpiece cork has become used to the mouthpiece. When my mouthpiece is firmly on, my saxophone is almost always in tune to a concert A. Pretty nice!] As for key oil, I normally leave that up to the professional repair folk. I don't know how or when to use it properly, and it's easier to take my sax in for a periodic "doctor's check up" at the instrument repair shop.

Another helpful item to buy is cigarette rolling paper. It is very thin delicate paper. When you place it in a air hole and press the pad down firm using its respective key, it should not pull out. If it does, then you know that your pad is leaking air. This is a great, simple way to find pad leaks. [You might even be able to find some free samples on the Internet. I think I got two free packages that way!] Dollar bills are handy when dealing with sticky pads. If you follow the above testing procedure with a dollar bill, the bill will clean off whatever is causing the pad to stick. George and Abe to the rescue (and, if you're lucky, Andy and Ulysses, too!)

Another thing to worry about is the lacquer, or finish, of your instrument. The oil from your fingers can eat it away little by little. All you need to help with this is a nice polishing cloth. What I do is, after I play and have swabbed out my sax, I give it a nice rub down with a polishing cloth. Then put it in the case. Which is another thing you have to consider: what type of case is best for your instrument? I'm clumsy, so my cases have always been hard cases. I don't want to chance denting through a leather case. I'm not saying the hard ones are better than the leather ones, I just prefer the added protection.

You must also think of where you are going to play, when you consider instrument care. Beaches are very dangerous, as the salty air destroys pads quickly. Also, I'm sure, with all the pollutants smoking leaves in your lungs, smoky rooms can't be beneficial for your saxophone either. Rainy conditions are harmful, too. Too much salt or smoke ruins any situation, and moisture is where mold, bacteria, and fungi grow!

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