Klarinet Archive - Posting 000003.txt from 1992/11

From: Jim Fay <NVFAYXJ@-----.BITNET>
Subj: Winterizing clarinets
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 15:27:55 -0500

Cold air makes us all turn our furnaces on. This makes home's relative
humidity below 40% (bad for wooden instruments). Consider a humidity raising
device in you clarinet case. Orange peels (change regularly!), pipe tobacco
humidifiers, Dampits (tm), are several ideas. Also check that rings are not
loose. Cut and fit slivers of paper & use as shims, if necessary. Loose bell
ring needs a shrinking dye (repair shop). These rings keep tenons from
cracking.

Personally, I usually use a "winter" ligature of the type that secures the reed
on top & sides. I find that the Bonade style (which lets sides of reed vibrate
) seems to make my reeds warp more in winter. Lately, have been using th Rovner
dark ligature (made in Timonium, MD). Also reeds dry out more in winter, and n
eed wetting more frequently.