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While I am almost certain using saliva as valve oil is a bad thing, I feel compelled to ask for opinions anyways. I'm not concerned with how well it works, but what adverse effects it may cause. Not that I've tried it before...

The only time I ever resort to using my own saliva as valve oil is when I'm playing my sousaphone and I need a quick solution to a sticky valve.

As for what effects it might cause, there are none that I know of.

TubaNerd88 wrote:The only time I ever resort to using my own saliva as valve oil is when I'm playing my sousaphone and I need a quick solution to a sticky valve.

As for what effects it might cause, there are none that I know of.

I'd imagine that the food particles and such in our mouth's would be detrimental to the valve health of our horns.

I have heard that very old tubas seem to work better with it. I do know the valves on my old L&H/Conn Eb worked better when I DIDN'T oil them for a long time.

Back in the early 80's, I went to see the Chicago Sym. brass section perform a concert in Avery Fisher Hall. After the concert, I worked my way back stage, hoping to meet Arnold Jacobs. I did meet him and get to speak to him for a while. Piston CC tubas were not very common back then, as all the major manufacturers were producing rotary tubas. I remember asking him what he liked about playing a piston valve CC ( his York) and he told me he likes a tuba that you can take the valve out and spit on it if it starts to hang up. He told me he thought spit was excellent valve oil. It just didn't last as long as valve oil.

I used to sit next to an ex-military euphonium player who always used saliva to lubricate his old B&H Imperial euph without apparent problem. He swore it better than valve oil.

I guess that how tight the valves are would make a difference.

All new ideas are old. A page from my 1913 Boston Musical Instrument Company catalog.
Mind you, this is from the age where many folks bathed once a week (sometimes).



Dnniel C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
http://www.oberloh.com" target="_blank" target="_blank

this is one of those "just don't do it" things, and should be consigned to the history of playing. It is unhygienic, saliva contains enzymes, bacteria and it is an alkaine subtance which may do more harm than good. Valve oils are readily available to suit everyones pocket, and I can't believe that there is any excuse for not using it.

It is interesting to think of the things we used to do, like filling your instrument with milk, beating young players for playing wrong notes etc, that are now unacceptable, spitting on your valves should join this list.