Klarinet Archive - Posting 000518.txt from 1998/08

From: Dirk Kussin <dirk@-----.de>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Buffet clarinet cracks
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 11:12:39 -0400

In a message dated 8/18/98, arehow@-----.net writes:

> I believe this is true, but a universal phenomenon, rather than a Buffet
> problem. Loree oboes all are expected to crack (my new one in 1996 did
> so after 8 weeks) wheras this was an unusual catastrophe in my youth.

I've read the break-in procedures for oboes, but wonder if it could be applied
to clarinets, and other wood instruments to insure that there is no cracking.
1) Week one - Begin by playing only 5 minutes first day, then add 5 minutes
each day, so that by the end of this week you play it for 30 minutes straight.
If this is interrupted, you must start over with 5 minutes and build up again.
2) Week Two - For three days, play 30 minutes. Build five minutes each day.
the last two days, you should be playing 45 minutes.
3) Week Three - Instrument is pretty stable. Take care not to play over an
hour this week.
4) Week Four and on - No Restrictions
Chris Hoffman

My dealer (also woodwind repairsmen and maker) gave me the advice
(as a rule):

First week: 10-15 minutes per day, add 10 minutes per day each
WEEK. So, for example, in the 5th week you can play 50-55 minutes per
day. Moreover, avoiding open windows (not only at the beginning),
swabbing and putting the clarinet into the case immediately after
playing and so on.

I think that this is only one of many "rules", each person having its
own. What interests me is what to do, as someone mentioned, after a
longer break. For example, if you havn't played the instrument for
some weeks or months, is the same/a similar procedure recommended as
for the beginning?

Dirk

--
Dirk Kussin dirk@-----.de
Fachbereich 17 Mathematik Raum D2.323
Universität-GH Paderborn Tel. (+49) (5251) 60-2636
D-33095 Paderborn --------- http://www-math.uni-paderborn.de/~dirk/

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