Klarinet Archive - Posting 000099.txt from 1998/01

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: cleaning mouthpieces
Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 19:51:23 -0500

On Sat, 3 Jan 1998, Bill Hausmann wrote:
> If that is so, surely the
> relentless pounding the facing receives from the vibrating reed would
> render the mouthpiece useless in a matter of hours! I'm going to keep
> swabbing, and if I find that I do wear one out from the inside before I
> drop it or wear a groove all the way through the top, I'll go out and buy a
> new mouthpiece!

I'm not sure if you meant this tongue in cheek or not Bill, but the facing
doesn't really take a pounding from a vibrating reed does it? My reeds
seal to the mouthpiece facing and really stay put.....the rest of the reed
does not strike the mouthpiece on the curve......not quite the same thing
as pulling an abrasive cotton swab through a mouthpiece daily. My refaced
Blayman (many years removed by the way!) kept getting thinner and thinner
at the tip until someone pointed out the swabbing issue. I have never
swabbed regularly since, but I do keep it clean. The silk swabs are much
less abrasive as you pointed out, so the danger is not as
apparent....albeit still there.

Roger Garrett
IWU