Klarinet Archive - Posting 000225.txt from 1995/05

From: Barbara E Longair <longairb@-----.EDU>
Subj: swabs
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 21:13:34 -0400

I have assumed that the function of a swab is to draw the moisture out of the
instrument rather than absorb it. One puts the swab through bell end first for
this reason. I have found that silk whisks away droplets better than the
cotton swab - and also leaves a higher shine in the bore. Go silk!

On this same subject -- why do some oboists use turkey feathers as swabs?
(sounds like the good beginning of a joke doesn't it!)

Barb LonGair

> >
> > One or two people mentioned that they didn't think the silk absorbed as
> > well as cotton- personally I've found it better. The oboist I play with
> > uses silk swabs too (little skinny ones of course).
> >
> > -------------lgb Lorne G. Buick