Klarinet Archive - Posting 000112.txt from 1998/01

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: cleaning mouthpieces
Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 23:15:34 -0500

At 06:35 PM 1/3/98 -0600, Roger Garrett wrote:
>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.
>
Are you quite sure the wear on your mouthpiece was caused by the swab, and
not by the beating of the reed? Swabbing still seems the only reasonable,
quick, and simple way to keep the mouthpiece clean. I'm willing to accept
any infinitessimal damage it may cause, since I also accept that same
potential damage every time I swab the clarinet!

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.