Klarinet Archive - Posting 000369.txt from 1995/05

From: Tom Ascher <U15310@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Swabbing mouthpiece
Date: Fri, 19 May 1995 06:38:44 -0400

My contrary nature cannot resist asking: If running a cotton cloth
through a mouthpiece ultimately destroys it requiring a replacement
every 3 years, why wouldn't soapy water do the same thing? Running
water wears rock into pebbles, ultimately into fine grains of
sand! I can easily carry a cotton handkerchief or small piece
of cloth in my clarinet case for easy swabbing after each session. I
have no ready source of warm soapy water.

This conversation borders on the similar thread of "blown out"
clarinets. Some claim that clarinets eventually get "blown out" others
keep clarinets for 40 years and feel that they seem to play fine.

Contrary nature again: If clarinets get blown out, why don't mouthpieces
get blown out?! Reducto...mouthpieces should be replaced every few years,
or possibly resurfaced merely from the act of playing.

Seriously, instruments and mouthpieces should be replaced periodically
to keep the manufacturers in business and encourage evolution of the art
of clarinet/mouthpiece making...