How to Maintain Your Instrument: A Quick Guide

Looking after your instrument properly is essential to maintain its sound quality, playability, and longevity. That’s why we’ve put together this instrument maintenance checklist, designed to help you manage both the day-to-day care and the more in-depth servicing your instrument requires. 

Whether you’re tuning a piano, replacing guitar strings, or applying valve oil to your brass instrument, these simple but vital tasks can make a real difference. 

1. Piano Maintenance: More Than Just Tuning

Ideally, your piano should be tuned at least once a year. If it’s used frequently (in a school, studio, or by a serious player), then twice a year is often necessary. New pianos tend to need more frequent tuning during their first year as the strings settle.

Beyond tuning, you can have a qualified piano technician carry out regular servicing every few years. This includes checking and adjusting the action, pedals, and tone to ensure the instrument responds well and sounds balanced across all registers.

Pianos are sensitive things, and environmental fluctuations like humidity and temperature can affect tuning stability and overall condition. It’s best to keep your piano in a room with consistent temperature, away from direct heat sources like radiators or cold external walls.

Instrument Maintenance Checklist:

✔ Tune at least once or twice a year

✔ Arrange a full technician service every 3–5 years

✔ Keep the piano in a stable, temperate environment

2. Guitar Maintenance: Regular Restringing & More

For casual players, changing strings every three to six months usually does the job. If you’re playing regularly, you’ll want to restring every 1-2 months. For gigging musicians, fresh strings before every performance is standard practice.

Another simple habit is wiping down your guitar after each session. Natural oils and dirt from your fingers gradually break down strings, but a quick clean with a soft cloth helps prevent buildup. Oiling your guitar, especially the fretboard if it's unfinished wood like rosewood or ebony, is another important part of maintenance that gets overlooked.

Don’t forget about your guitar’s hardware, too. Check tuning pegs regularly to ensure they’re tight but still turn smoothly. Loose pegs can cause tuning instability. Keep an eye on the strap buttons and replace or tighten them if needed to avoid accidents.

Once a year, you might consider adjusting the neck relief, setting the string height, checking fret wear, and inspecting the nut and saddle. It can dramatically improve comfort, playability, and tone, so it’s worth investing in a solid maintenance kit. 

Instrument Maintenance Checklist:

✔ Change strings every 1–3 months depending on usage

✔ Wipe down strings, fretboard, and body after each use

✔ Oil the fretboard once or twice a year for unfinished wood 

✔ Check tuning pegs and strap buttons regularly

✔ Invest in a good maintenance kit

3. Brass Instruments: Keeping Things Moving

Using valve oil regularly is crucial for brass musicians. If you practise daily, you should apply oil to the valves every day to keep them moving freely and to prevent them from sticking. For less frequent players, once a week is a good rule of thumb. Make sure you use oil specifically designed for your instrument, as other lubricants can cause damage or build-up. Your tuning slides should also be moved regularly and lightly greased to prevent them from seizing up. 

Every couple of months, it’s important to give your brass instrument a thorough clean. A warm (never hot) water rinse with a small amount of mild, non-abrasive soap will remove built-up residue inside the tubing. After cleaning, rinse thoroughly and dry completely to avoid moisture damage.

Beyond the basics, don’t forget to inspect your instrument regularly for dents or loose parts. Even minor damage can affect sound quality or playability. If you notice anything unusual, it’s worth visiting your local music depot for advice.

Instrument Maintenance Checklist:

 ✔ Apply valve oil weekly (or daily if you practise regularly)

✔ Grease tuning slides and move them regularly

✔ Clean the inside of your instrument every 2–3 months with warm, soapy water

✔ Inspect for dents or loose fittings regularly

4. General Cleaning and Storage Advice

For many musicians, your instrument is your pride and joy, so it’s important to have a consistent care routine to ensure it performs for years to come. Here’s a more general instrument maintenance checklist:

• Avoid damp or heat
  Store your instrument somewhere dry, and never leave it in a car or next to a heater.

• Use the right cloth
  Wipe down your instruments regularly - microfibre works well for most. Don’t use polish or sprays unless they’re specifically made for your instrument type.

• Always store in a case
  Most damage happens between uses. Even if you play every day, putting your instrument away keeps it safe from knocks and dust.

• Regular maintenance
  A little routine care keeps your instrument sounding its best and avoids bigger issues later on. Set yourself reminders if needed.

Going the extra mile to care for your instrument enhances your playing experience and saves you time and money in the long run. 

Some maintenance jobs are best left to a technician, especially if you’re not confident or you’ve noticed a change in how the instrument plays. So use this instrument maintenance checklist as a guide, but for anything beyond basic upkeep, book a service or speak to a technician. If you’re local to Exeter, check out our services page for recommendations. 

FAQs – Instrument Maintenance

How often should I tune my piano?
Once a year is the minimum. Twice if it’s used often or in a public space.

When should I change guitar strings?
If you play weekly, every 1–2 months. Old strings sound dull and go out of tune quickly.

Do I need to oil brass valves every day?
If you play every day, yes. Otherwise, once or twice a week should be fine.

Can I clean instruments with household products?
No. Always use products designed for your instrument. Household cleaners can cause damage.

Why is storage so important?
Extreme heat, cold or humidity can warp wood, rust metal parts and shorten lifespan.