Klarinet Archive - Posting 000032.txt from 1998/01

From: Rgoren <Rgoren@-----.com>
Subj: Moisture in the clarinet pads
Date: Fri, 2 Jan 1998 08:19:03 -0500

Hi,

I recently joined the klarinet list - have been playing the clarinet since 8
years old - almost 40 years now - and really enjoy it. The clarinet is a
hobby for me and this list is a great place for information (along with the
sneezy web site).

I attended the First Night activities in Boston on New Year's eve. At one of
the venues was a Clarinet Quartet - called "4 of 1." They were sponsored by
the Consulat General de France because they played French music for clarinets
(classic and modern French composers/transcribers).

In between each piece, two of the musicians kept blowing out moisture from
keys. They spent so much effort doing this that one of them finally said to
the audience (This is not a direct quote but very close to what was said): We
are not frustrated flutists. Moisture builds up in the holes when the
temperature inside the clarinet is much different than that outside the
clarinet. We do not want to produce the ugly gurgling sound.

I have experienced this build up on certain padded keys. I usually use a thin
piece of paper (from the tobacco shop) and blow it out too.

My questions are this:

Is the difference in temperature the explanation? It was very cold in Boston
on New Years eve (about 10 degrees ). However, it was very warm and dry
inside the venue (an old Church). I had never noticed moisture buildup
occuring more frequently on my clarinet during certain times of the year.
(Maybe, I just don't remember correctly.) I've lived in two places,
Philadelphia and New Hampshire. Both places have marked seasons. Philly has
very humid weather in the summer. Heat and dryness are big factors in the
winter for both places.)

How can one prevent such a recurring problem while playing. I had been told
that key pads made of certain materials are better to prevent the retention of
liquid than others? Is this true? If so, which materials are better?

I was surprised that the musicians did not use some type of paper like I do.
Since they are professionals, I wonder whether there is something wrong with
using the paper to absorb the liquid?

One other thing. I have never heard any "professional -level" clarinet
quartets, clarinet choirs, in fact, anything other than clarinet soloists
before this one. Are all-clarinet groups popular in the Universities? I
never see them listed in music school/university recital programs. My town
(Nashua, NH) has an amateur flute choir which performs several times a year
and I believe that there are many such flute choirs all over the US. Are
there many amateur all-clarinet groups as well?

Thanks in advance for any responses,

Rochelle

rgoren@-----.com