Instruments in music class

[hezzier]

The students in 4th grade are given the opportunity to try out musical instruments during class (this only happens once a year).  The intent is to get some kids in music lessons run by the school and eventually get some future band students.  I sent a message to the music teacher to find out what the process is to clean instruments between students and classes.


This is the information I received back:
We have two each of flute, clarinet, sax, and trumpet this week (the company did not bring the trombones so they will be next time with the strings and percussion) In between turns we instruct the kids (i have other music teacher help) how to disinfect with the alcohol based sanitizer made especially for wind instruments. If the alcohol steri-spray is sufficient I can make sure an adult sanitizes before his turn.  I can also change the reed of the clarinet and saxophone for his use. I usually change the reed after each class. I am wondering if I could just have him try the instruments before the class comes in, therefore being the first to try them. I would be more than happy to have you come in with him to see what I use to sterilize the instrument and/or be with him while he tries them out privately.


So I know nothing about instruments...how to clean, play or sanitize them.  I figured I might not be the only parent to run into this so what do you suggest?

[ajasfolks2]

Hoping Mac gets in here . . . alcohol based sanitizer won't take out peanut and nut proteins . . . but I'm not sure what should be used that won't damage instruments and parts of instruments . . .

[yelloww]

Hezz, what instrument are you leaning towards? Any? It's easier to sanitize a brass instrument than a woodwind. Porous vs non porous. Something to consider....

[hezzier]

To be honest, I'm not sure DS even really wants to play an instrument, but I don't want to tell him he can't try them if I don't have to.  This is literally a test it out in class situation. 

[PurpleCat]

My DD did what was suggested to you back in elementary school.  She was first to try a flute and a clarinet.  They gave her a new reed for the clarinet and they sterilized the mouth pieces right in front of her.  They sent me the ingredient list the week before.

She was fine and ended up playing flute for one year.

[Macabre]

Based on what we know, the alcohol based cleaner would remove some but not all of the protein (it was 50% in a study).

Yes, brass would be easier. Frankly, these are instruments that travel around and are not going to be in fabulous shape and will not be used for an actual performance. I would not have many problems running a Clorox wipe over the mouth pieces. I did use one on the school oboe DS used for a few weeks at the very beginning. It did not kill the oboe. I did it lightly but on the keys, too. I do not use one in the intermediate oboe we bought DS.  I would only do it with the mouthpiece of these though. Do you think you could show the teacher the two studies--one on the use if hand sanitizer to clean and the recent on on how peanut protein stays on the instrument until it's cleaned off and Clorox or Lysol wipes are effective?

For trying the reed instruments--new reed. And the instructor will need to have clean hands when inserting the reed.

Do they have any double reed instruments?  You didn't mention oboe, but only the reed goes into the mouth.  There is no mouthpiece. A new reed could work.

But hmmm. I don't know how store bought reeds are made.

I'll tell you that the oboe is one of those risks we take. DS' teachers always make his reeds. Always. And they have to use it to make it--hearing how it sounds and tweaking it. They do not eat pn on lesson days when tweaking a reed. Yes I try to get them wonderful gifts.

It will be great when DS can make his own. It's expensive to get the equipment, though.