Dents in a trumpet are not just a cosmetic issue, they actually affect the sound and response of the instrument.  And playing the trumpet is enough of a challenge without sticking valves and slides.  Keeping one's instrument in good working order is part of being a musician.  If you need some professional help with the condition of your instrument, you can call one of the two brass repair technicians in the Boston area that work on my horns: Jim Becker and Ken Pope.

Jim works at Osmun Music in Arlington.

Ken works at Pope Instrument Repair in Jamaica Plain.