Klarinet Archive - Posting 000533.txt from 1998/08

From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Re: Nasty question
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 12:38:40 -0400

Cracks occur because the wood close to the interior of the bore expands more
than that close to the exterior wall--usually because of temperature,
sometimes from moisture. Solution is to warm the exterior of the horn
before blowing through it. One should avoid playing in situations where the
temperature differential can't be overcome (think football)--although I have
played in some mighty cold orchestra pits.

If the wood is weak to begin with due to a flaw in the grain, there is
probably nothing one can do. Oiling the bore is irrelevant for cracks
caused by temperature differential. If your horn is going to crack because
the interior walls get wet, then I'm afraid oil won't help much in the long
run there either.

I suspect that the wood used today is inferior to that of 50 years ago. I
know that the hardwood used for construction is--why should grenedilla (an
endangered species of tree) not be the same?

There is also a bit of statistical anomaly at work. I'll bet that most
clarinets that are going to crack do so within the first year or so. Old
horns won't crack because they didn't--new horns are just waiting their
opportunity.

kjf
-----Original Message-----
From: George Landis [mailto:George@-----.org]
Subject: [kl] Re: Nasty question

With all the discussion about cracks, I'm surprised no one has posted any
advice on proven ways to avoid them. (Other than the obvious "avoid sudden
temperature changes," "maintain relatively constant humidity", etc.).

I've had close to two dozen clarinets over the years and have never had one
crack, and I live in an area with one of the most temperature extreme
climates in the country.

Any comments.

george landis

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