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How to Get the Top Piece of the Trumpet Off

A trumpet is a musical instrument with the highest register, or musical range, in the brass family. One of the oldest musical instruments, it's made of brass tubing that's bent twice into a rounded, oblong shape. The size can vary depending on the size of the person using it. The trumpet is held with both hands and is played by blowing air through closed lips into the mouthpiece at the end of the trumpet. This will produce a buzzing sound. If you want to clean the top piece of the trumpet, the first thing you have to do is remove the slides and the mouthpiece.

Things You'll Need

Pliers
Flat head screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Set the trumpet down on a flat surface and locate all of the top pieces. These pieces are also known as slides and come up from the side of the trumpet along the top. There are three valve slides and a main turning slide.
- 2
  Grip the first slide with your dominant hand. Hold the trumpet down in your non-dominant hand. Pull up carefully on the slide and try to loosen the slide from the trumpet. Repeat the process for each of the slides to loosen them. Pull the slide all the way off if possible, but more than likely, you'll need tools.
- 3
  Grip the bottom of the slide where it has pulled up with a pair of pliers. Tighten the pliers around the slide and pull up carefully to remove it. Hold the trumpet down firmly so it doesn't slide when you're pulling up and remove the slide from the trumpet.
- 4
  Move on to the next slide and remove the remaining slides in the exact same manner. Set the slides aside so they can be put back on later.
- 5
  Slide the screwdriver between the mouthpiece and the trumpet. Pop off the top mouthpiece with a flat head screwdriver.

Childrens Toys