Klarinet Archive - Posting 000043.txt from 1995/08

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Help req re. stuck barrel
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 1995 00:59:47 -0400

On Mon, 31 Jul 1995, M. Zaiem Beg wrote:

> > Actually, storing citrus peel in the case is a time-honored method of
> > humidifying an instrument, and is still one of the most effective ways
> > to do it. BTW, grapefruit peel works even better - it is thicker, and
> > therefore has more moisture content. Be sure to remove all of the
> > membrane inside the peel so the moisture can be transferred from the peel
> > to the instrument. Not insignificantly, this treatment also makes your
> > instrument and case interior smell better!
>
> This is great for getting moisture in the instrument, but isn't that
> horrible for the pads?

I wrote the original message quoted above. I would say that humidifying
the pads isn't necessarily bad for the pads. If the skin of the pads
loses too much moisture, they can become hard, resulting in noisy key
closing and, eventually, leaks. If you live in a desert climate, or in any
climate where the instrument is subjected to dry heat in the winter and
humidity-removing air conditioning in the summer, the instrument can
become too dry.

Naturally, you don't want to get water directly on the pads, but in an
environment where the ambient humidity is greater than that of the pads,
as they are made of an organic substance, they should pick up moisture
from the surrounding air.

Ed Lacy
*********************************************************************
Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)497-2252
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