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Cleaning your mouthpiece after every single practice session or rehearsal/concert will go a long way. Continue to clean your mouthpiece for a while after you get better.

Make sure you clean out the inside of the throat/backbore every day while you're sick and once every few days once you get better. I suggest getting in there with soap and a q-tip/cotton swab, rub the soap around get out all that junk.

I don't think that too thorough of a tuba cleaning will be necessary. The farther the bacteria is from your mouthpiece, the less likely that bacteria will make it's way back into your system.

I'd say a good cleaning of the leadpipe and valves would be sufficient to get rid of any stuff that could re-infect you. I doubt that any bacteria beyond the valves will be a threat to you... just get rid of that stuff on your regularly scheduled full cleaning (ie chem/ultrasonic).

I would suggest using vinegar to clean your tuba, just rinse well or you'll smell the vinegar. Some people suggest squirting valve oil (get cheap stuff) down your leadpipe to keep the crud down. I don't know of any scientific findings that support this routine, but it must work since so many people endorse it.

Best of luck, get well!

MiraDave wrote:Im currently dealing with a cold (mild Bronchitis) and was wondering if it would be helpful or harmful to try and practice while Im getting over this cold...(Id hate for my lip to get out of shape)...Also Ive heard of cleaning your tuba after you've been sick...What are good ways/ideas of cleaning your horn other than a chemical cleaning?...Thank you for reading this and any input you have

I've always found that the compression built up when playing would back the sinus "gunk" up into my ears, then I'd get ear infections. If you're susceptible to ear problems, you might want to think about this.

...Dave

If you're concerned about being short of breath or injuring yourself while playing ill, try buzzing on the mouthpiece. In some aspects, buzzing on the mouthpiece involves less effort.

I was once told this nice little quote...

Practice every day that you eat.

As you know, there are some days when you're too tired or too sick to eat. It happens. On those days, don't practice. All the rest of the time, sterilization of the mouthpiece everyday sounds like a plan! Hope you feel better!!