Klarinet Archive - Posting 000066.txt from 1998/01

From: Dee Hays <deerich@-----.net>
Subj: Re: cleaning mouthpieces
Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 10:55:05 -0500

Neil Leupold wrote:

> On Tue, 30 Dec 1997, Dee Hays wrote:
>
> > Washing the mouthpiece a couple of times a week with room
> > temperature water and soap should keep it clean. Of course this assumes that
> > you swab it out after each and every use.
>
> I was surprised that nobody responded to this. Maybe it is meant as
> a joke and I'm the only one who doesn't realize it? Swabbing out a
> hard rubber mouthpiece after every use is a good way to gradually make
> a new mouthpiece for yourself. The friction, even with a silk swab,
> will slowly erode the inner chamber of the mouthpiece and alter the
> geometrical qualities which afforded the mouthpiece its acoustical
> identity in the first place. The danger is that the changes which
> occur will go unnoticed by the player, because the changes are
> gradual and it is impossible for the player to recognize that the
> sound and response are being altered infinitesimally each time a swab
> is drawn through the chamber. After a year or two of daily swabbing,
> the inner dimensions are no longer the same. It's best to keep swabbing
> to a minimum, i.e.; once a month, if even that frequently, and never
> draw a cloth swab all the way through.

Ok, I will concede the wear issue, but I would like some measurements. I find only
a year or two hard to believe. I'ld buy it if you said 5 or 6 or 10.

Anyway if one is concerned with the wear of swabbing, then you need to rinse it
after each and every use with DISTILLED water. When you wash it you will need to
use DISTILLED water. Other bottled waters and tap water contain minerals that will
dry on the mouthpiece after a period of time and also change the contours of a
mouthpiece (much more rapidly than swabbing).

The main reason that I say swab it, is that for many kids in band, that is all that
they can do at the end of band class. There is no time to run to the bathroom, get
out your bottle of distilled water and rinse it. The food and mineral deposits are
much more of a problem than changes due to swabbing.
If they go on to music in college, they will probably want to buy a new mouthpiece
anyway more suited to their particular musical interests.

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