Take Note

Music rooms sometimes contain tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of percussion equipment. Maintenance can feel overwhelming, but it’s worth it to protect your school’s investment!

The good news: basic care can be outsourced to students. At the end of each semester, your section leader and players can oversee most of these tasks. 

First, dust everything with microfiber cloths, but don’t use cleaning chemicals. Keep a supply of cotton swabs on hand for dusty nooks & crannies!  After everything is dust-free, go through this checklist.

Keyboard Instruments

• Check cord between bars for worn or fraying spots
• Play each bar to check for issues

Timpani

• Check heads for damage, replace if needed
• Check lowest pitch on each drum (32” D, 29” F, 26” Bb, 23” D, 20” F) and adjust if necessary
• Store with pedal toe down

Snare Drums

• Check top & bottom heads for damage, replace if needed
• Check top & bottom heads for even tension, tune if needed
• Dust snares with a soft brush (toothbrush or other)
• Check cord on snares for wear & replace if needed
• Check snare tension in on position & adjust if needed
• Store with snares off

Cymbals

There’s some debate among percussionists about if cymbals should be kept as new or allowed to age with patina. If you choose to clean yours, here are some tips:

• Wipe down your cymbals regularly with microfiber to keep dust and oils from building up
• Fill a shallow tub large enough to fit your cymbal with 50% white vinegar, 50% water. 
• Allow the cymbal to soak 30-60 minutes
• Clean the cymbal with a brush, scrubbing in the direction of the grooves
• Rinse and dry with a clean cloth
• Store covered (or in a cymbal bag for long-term)

When your equipment has been cleaned and checked, cover everything. Manufacturer covers are great if you have them, but if you don’t, use sheets/lightweight blankets. Cover your drum set too! Covering after daily use makes a big difference in the fight against dust AND covered instruments are much less tempting for visitors to touch.

Don’t forget to check your storage for mallets and auxiliary instruments in need of repair or replacement, and vacuum dirt out of your storage drawers! 

Store all percussion instruments away from HVAC vents or radiators. If you have instruments with calfskin or other natural heads, make sure you consult the manufacturer’s care instructions.

If you have questions, consult a nearby percussionist band director, or a percussion faculty member at a local university – they’re usually happy to help, and you can get expert help with specific issues.

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