BASIC MAINTENANCE

A wooden wind instrument requires special care when it is new or if it is not played regularly. The condensation of air in the tube creates humidity which is soaked by the wood causing it to swell slightly. Since the exterior surface is much less exposed to moisture, the uneven swelling between the exterior and interior of the wood can cause the wood to split. It would be surprising if a head cracked after the first use, but a lack of regular maintenance can cause problems.
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Basic maintenance involves oiling the inside of the headjoint with our stick before starting to play. This creates a thin layer of oil that prevents moisture from penetrating the ports of the wood. Check the level of condensation every 10 minutes and wipe with the wiping stick. It is optional to re-oil each time you wipe off excess water, but we strongly suggest oiling the head before storing it in its case after your session.
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For those who have to play for long hours, we suggest taking the time to break in your headjoint by following the following steps.
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Both 1st weeks: Play a maximum of 1 hour per day. Oil the inside of the headjoint with our stick before starting to play. Wipe every 5-10 minutes with the wiping stick. Oil the head before storing it in its case after your session.
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3rd and 4th week: Play a maximum of 1 hour 30 minutes per day. Oil the inside of the headjoint with our stick before starting to play. Wipe after 10-15 minutes with the wiping stick. Oil the head before storing it in its case after your session.
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Consider that our wooden instrument will be ready to play for long sessions like 2-3 hours after this break-in time.