How to Fix a Slow Rotary Valve

Disclaimer: Last Row Music is not responsible for any damages or injuries occurred as a result of improper application of these techniques. If you are unsure of these procedures, please consult your local professional brass repair technician.

Recently, my valve on my tenor horn was moving very sluggish, and even though I had oiled it in the necessary spots, it was still moving rather slow. Since I was not going to have time to take it to a brass mechanic, I began to do what I my father-in-law suggests when working on cars – go to YouTube and try to fix it yourself.

Sure enough, I found two very helpful videos that showed me the necessary In’s and Out’s of properly fixing a rotary valve. This first video (in French) from Musique et Son showed me how simple it was to take apart the valve, clean, and replace.

This second video from James Boldin, Associate Professor of Horn at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, gives a more detailed approach to the terminology of work on french horn rotary valves. These instructions can apply to both trombone and horn rotary valves.