[Trombone-l] Water Key Solutions

[markmcgrain]

All of the above!  Depending on the situation (and on who’s watching!). 

I used to carry a rag/towel in my bag for those times when there might be no acceptable alternative, but putting that used towel back in my bag at the end of the gig—especially when someone was watching—would really gross me (and them) out.  A better solution is to take the outter slide off and pour the water onto the inner slide then quickly replacing the outter slide before too much spills on the hardwood floor or carpet.  It’s the art of deception as most of the water appears to be being recycled back into the horn.  When confronted, I adamantly explain that “it’s NOT spit, it just condensation!”  Clients will sometimes buy that explanation; sometimes not. 

www.markmcgrain.com/music



> On Dec 26, 2019, at 8:42 AM, Gil Estes via Trombone-l <trombone-l at trombonelist.org> wrote:
> 
> Okay, for those who have a home studio (i.e. room in your home dedicated to practicing and doing all things “trombone”) as well as college teachers w/ a dedicated room for doing trombone stuff…this question is for you.
> 
> As I clean my horns after having the flu, I also notice my trash can which has a towel in the bottom which is used specifically for residual liquids that come from my slide after a practice/warm-up session (i.e. “spit bucket”).
> 
> My question: Where do you empty your “water key” and how do you keep it sanitary:
> 
> 1. Towel on the floor
> 2. Towel/rag in a bucket
> 3. Actual old-school “spittoon”
> 4. Plant growing in a pot
> 5. On the carpet…b/c it will dry eventually
> 6. On the hard surface floor…b/c I like watching people slip when they enter
> 7. My spit valve leaks enough that I don’t need to empty it (don’t be “that” guy)
> 8. I never empty it…b/c I like the popping sound (get out…you aren’t welcome here)
> 
> Seriously though…for good hygiene, what have you found that works well…
> 
> Gil
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