Klarinet Archive - Posting 000611.txt from 1996/12

From: FROM ME MAN <musicandkeyclub@-----.com>
Subj: Re: The incredible shrinking clarinet
Date: Mon, 23 Dec 1996 00:28:47 -0500

On Sun, 22 Dec 1996 20:08:21 -0500 Erica Horn <EJHtalk@-----.COM> writes:
>In a message dated 12/16/96 10:53:37 AM, you wrote:
>
><<Hi,
> For the last couple of months my clarinet has moved from a
>damp
>but generally clarinet friendly English climate to a permenantly
>heated hotel room in Vienna. This seems to be causing my clarinet to
>shrink! About a week ago the metal ring round the top of the bell
>came loose. Yesterday one of the rings round the barrel came loose.
>I'm worried about it cracking. The best think I can think of is to
>keep it in the bathroom and open the case when I have a shower. Is
>this a good idea? Any other suggestions?
>
>Thanks,
>Ian Dilley.
>
>
>Dear Ian,
>
>In California it is often very dry and here's what I do. I use a
>couple of
>cello damp-its. (Those rubber tube things with sponge inside that
>cellist
>have their f-holes) and keep the moitened and in your case.
>
>Another trick (though I never did it for fear of mold or something
>nasty) is
>to put some orange peels in your case. As they dry out, your
>clarinets
>absorbe their moisture.
>
>Lastly go to you friendly neighborhood tobaconist. Buy a small cigar
>humidifier and keep it in a plastic bag with you reed case. (truely
>vital in
>a dry climate)
>
>Erica
>
Dear Ian,
My added suggestion is to try putting a couple MOIST pieces of sponge
around the perimeter of your case. Don't put a lot! Once they have
dried out...moisten them again...repeating this until the natural
humidity of Austria has come back up.

Another suggestion, is to oil your clarinet...

Hope I helped!

Kenneth Chin

p.s. I was in Vienna for a couple days this past summer and I loved
it...especially in the square near the Operal house...It's a very nice
setting...