Is it sanitary to buy a used instrument or rented one?

Question

Do you soak the mouthpiece in alcohol or buy a new one or something?

Answer 1

Hi Marlena,

  Good question and you are very smart to be concerned about a health issue but not to worry,   it is not bad to buy or rent a used instrument.   There is nothing wrong with using the moughpiece that comes with it either.   You don't mention which instrument but if it is a brass horn... the mouthpiece is also metal.   You can soak the mouthpiece in hot detergent water.   They make brushes to scrub down the shaft...cost a couple of dollars.  Then rinse the mouthpiece really well and lay it out to dry.  If you like you can then wipe it with alcohol.   I just finished cleaning my brass mouthpieces and after the last step,  I polished them with silver polish... they look like new.

And if you would feel better, you can have the brass repair tech give the instrument a acid bath....   this sounds crazy, but it is what they do to clean out the instrument - inside and out.   It is recommended  that a horn get one of these acid baths regularly to prevent red rot.

If you are getting a clarinet or saxophone... you can do the same procedure.   They also make those scrub brushes or because the shafts of these mouthpieces is larger, you can use a toothbrush.

Scrub very well with warm water and dishwashing detergent.  Dry with a clean towel.  You cannot wash out the inside of the clarinet body, but you can have it oiled and lubricated.

If you are talking about a flute... you have the whole headjoint to wash.  Hold it under warm running water and pour a gentle dishwashing liquid into the head.  Again with a very soft toothbrush clean out the inside and use your hands to wash out the outside.  Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth.   You can also wipe down the lip plate with an alcohol cottonball. You cannot wash the inside of the flute body.... but you can have it professionally polished by the repair tech.

These are the home fixes.  At the music store they sell a disinfectant spray.  You just wash off the mouthpiece dry it and spray it to kill any germs.

And that is it.  I think you will be safe with a used instrument.

Thanks for reading.  :))

Answer 2

Yes. But depending on the instrument it would probably be more sanitary to buy new reeds and a mouthpiece and stuff.  

Answer 3

Hi Marlena

I dont see any issues with secondhand instruments unless the person has a disease or something. If you buy a sa or trumpet, change the mouthpiece.

A guitar or piano is another issue. Don't use someone else's mouthpiee ever.