the tuning slide of the first valve on my euphonium is seized. how do i free it.
thanx

oliver c lightbourne, August 2009

There is a specialist silicon lubricant you can buy from brass musical instrument shops that helps with this problem - both prevention and cure. Otherwise, WB40 will help. Force is the last option as there is a good chance that one or more stays will break away and need re-soldering and/or the slide hits something and gets damaged when it suddenly comes free. Believe me, I've been there a thousand times!

Simon Croft, June 2010

Try expanding the brass by immersing it in very hot water, and pulling hard.

John, August 2009