Doublereed Archive - Posting 000042.txt from 2004/01

From: ContraReed@-----.com
Subj: Re: [DR-L] Re: new wooden instruments/cold lockers
Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 09:34:23 -0500

In a message dated 1/10/04 1:06:17 AM Eastern Standard Time,
el2@-----.edu writes:

<< The plastic used in oboes has a high coefficient of thermal expansion and
contraction, and when it gets cold, the body of the instrument shrinks enough
that posts are drawn closer together, rods bind, etc., etc. >>

A couple of years ago at a local Solo and Ensemble Festival, I was getting my
string students ready to go into the judges room when my junior high band
director (from 30+ years ago) came over and asked me to look at one of his
students' bassoon. Most of the keys would not move at all, and the body (Fox Model
IV) was very cold to the touch. I asked how far a drive it was to the site
from where she lived. About 10 minutes was the answer. I asked whether the
bassoon had been in the trunk for the trip. "No, we put it there last night so it
would be ready to go this morning." Since it was about 25 degrees (F) then,
I told him she's have to find another bassoon to play on for her session that
morning. The plastic had contracted so much that any rod longer than a
couple of inches seemed to be binding.

Moral: Don't leave any instrument in the car over night.