Klarinet Archive - Posting 000761.txt from 1997/04

From: ronbower@-----.com
Subj: Re: saliva and pads?
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 1997 12:27:24 -0400

On 04/22/97 10:19:13 you wrote:
>
>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
>
>
>
>
>
>

I agree it is condensation and not saliva. Also the use of finned barrels
such as DEG Powerstar would theoretically increase the rate of condensation
high in the clarinet and exacerbate the problem(there ain't no free lunch.
Ron Bowers

   
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