Klarinet Archive - Posting 001332.txt from 1997/09

From: Dee Hays <deerich@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Assembling the clarinet
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 1997 21:50:02 -0400

Scott M. Gerhardt wrote:

> Any suggestions on how to assemble the clarinet "safely?" Particularly while
> attaching the top joint to the lower joint, I continue to worry about bending
> the keys; there seems to be no place to get a secure grip.

I highly recommend going to a music store and looking through the beginner's
books until you find one with pictures that shows this operation. Then buy it.

However, I will try to describe it in words.

1. Cradle the upper joint in the palm of the left hand with the fingers closing
the holes that they do in normal playing. This will let you have a secure grip
without danger of bending the rods and other keys. It also naturally raises the
bridge key for proper assembly.

2. Cradle the lower joint in the palm of the right hand. The fingers may press
on the large pad cups on the lower end of the joint. Be sure that your fingers
do not warp around the joint. They should not press on any of the long rods but
only the wood or the pad cups.

3. As you GENTLY push the two joints together, rotate the parts back and forth
GENTLY to help them go together. If they don't go together fairly easily, use a
little cork grease and try again. Don't use too much though.

That's really all there is to it.

Dee Hays
Canton, SD
deerich@-----.net