Klarinet Archive - Posting 000660.txt from 1997/04

From: "Randall, Stephen/LON" <srandall@-----.com>
Subj: Re: saliva and pads?
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 12:19:13 -0400

I have a few items to add to the discussion.

Firstly. I think the subject is mis-named. What comes out the holes
ain't spit but rather is water - condensed out of the warm wet air
emanating from one's lungs. Thus, the wateriness of the player's mouth
should have little to do with the quantity of goo. However, climatic
conditions should have a big effect in controlling the rate of
condensation. Hence playing outdoors in winter is very bubbly. Also,
the direction the water takes down the tube has a big effect on whether
it causes a problem or not. Ideally it should run in a little stream
at the bottom of the tube.

This brings me to my second point:

A sax/flute/clarinet teacher acquaintance of mine tells me that if his
pupils water up he takes this to be a sign that they are not holding the
bell of the instrument high enough. His theory is that there is an
optimum angle of dangle for a clarinet at which the water behaves itself
and keeps out of the holes. This angle is generally nearer horizontal
than most players, particularly beginners, like to use. I can't say
that this matches my experience or intuition. Does anyone know
different?

Thirdly:

Surely the approved method of removing water from tone holes is to wait
until the flautist is caressing a ppp passage and then to give a hearty
blow across the offending hole. If you can contrive to drop your
mouthpiece cover (metal is essential for this) at the same time, the
effectiveness of the operation can be considerably enhanced. (:->)

Stephen Randall