Q&A for How to Remove a Stuck Mouthpiece from a Brass Instrument

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My mouthpiece is REALLY stuck, and it's burned off and the brass is twisted. What do I do?

wikiHow Contributor

Community Answer

Take it to a local music store -- they have special tools that can get it off.

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Question

What can I do if neither my band directer nor I have a mouthpiece puller? Neither of us can buy one.

Community Answer

Go to a music store. They probably have one and will do it for free if you ask them.

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Question

I tried putting boiling hot water on the mouthpiece, and it didn't work, so I tried cold water and that didn't work either. It's REALLY stuck and I can't get it off! What can I do?

Community Answer

Go ask your band director for a mouthpiece remover. If you do not have a band director, see if you can buy your own mouthpiece remover. It shouldn't cost too much, as it is literally two slabs of metal with screws. A good way to prevent this from happening in the future is to take apart you instrument and put it back in its case.

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Question

Do all of these help with a mouthpiece stuck on a trombone?

I.P.

Community Answer

Yes, they do. Though trombones are different, they have the same kind of mouthpiece.

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Question

None of the methods worked. It is seriously stuck. We do not have a nearby music store, and I don't have a band director. What do I do?

Community Answer

Buy your own mouthpiece puller. I have never had one not work before.

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Question

I've tried the methods and they didn't work I think when I used the extremely hot water it just melted and didn't budge.

Community Answer

There is no way you used a mouthpiece puller. I have used that tool many times and it has always worked. If you are afraid of telling your director that your mouthpiece got stuck, then suck up your pride because it happens fairly often and pulling it out properly is better than leaving it stuck in there forever. If the mouthpiece puller doesn't work then you need to get your instrument to a music store ASAP, because there is something seriously wrong with your instrument.

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Question

How do I explain to my band teacher that my mouthpiece is stuck?

David Gang

Community Answer

Tell them when and how it got stuck, and ask for help getting it out. Honesty is the best policy, especially when trying to fix something. Also the sooner you tell them (if you cant remove yourself) the better.

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Question

I've tried everything and the mouthpiece keeps getting more and more stuck.

David Gang

Community Answer

I find running some hot water over where the mouthpiece and trumpet meet for a little while (usually like 1-2 minutes), then applying some tuning slide grease around the same area, helps me slide out the mouthpiece. If that doesn't work, it's probably not coming off without a mouthpiece puller. If neither works, then bring it into a repair shop because that probably is the only way you're going to get it out.

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Question

What do I do if I have an adapter stuck to my mouthpiece on my brass instrument?

Community Answer

Try asking a woodwind for cork grease, and if that doesn't work, get pliers and try pulling it off, but don't scratch the instrument. Put some tape over it.

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Question

What can I do if I cannot afford a mouthpiece puller to fix my trombone?

Community Answer

Ask your band director to remove it, this is usually the easiest way. You can also ask a local music store to get it out, most of the time they’ll do it for free.

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Question

How do I get my trumpet unstuck without using a mouth piece remover at all?

chameleom

Community Answer

Where the pipe covers the mouthpiece, run it under warm (not hot!) water for a bit. Put slide grease around the seam and slowly work it out twisting as you do so. If that doesn't work you can use a wrench over a towel and be very careful not to scratch the horn.

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