Klarinet Archive - Posting 000423.txt from 1998/09

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] breaking in my R13
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 12:23:58 -0400

On Mon, 14 Sep 1998, Cox, Graeme wrote:

> I think that the major reason for blowing-in a new instrument gradually
> is that when new, the wood is very dry.

When the wood is new, it should be in its *least* dry state. Grenadilla
is one of the oiliest woods in existence. There is so much oil in it that
water will hardly penetrate it at all. That's one of the main reasons why
it is used for wind instruments.

> It also doesn't have a history of oil application which reduces the
> uptake rate of moisture.

We can apply as much oil as we wish, but such applications are only
topical. The oil will stay on the surface of the wood until we wipe it
out by swabbing or other means.

I think we will have to look elsewhere for an explanation for this regimen
of short playing periods at first. I suspect that the only reason most
people will advocate this procedure is that they have heard others
recommend it. It sounds like it ought to be logical, so that's good
enough.

> Regular application of bore oil early in the instrument's life will help
> prevent the wood fibres absorbing the moisture, and swelling and
> contracting excessively and unevenly.

See above. I doubt that this is true. Can anyone prove it?

> By the way, recorder players know all about the destructive effect of
> overplaying without drying out carefully.

This is an entirely different matter. Recorders are made of softer, more
absorbent woods. In this instance, oiling makes a lot more sense.

I would like to believe that there is a magic formula for a "break in
period" for a clarinet or oboe, but I await any solid, scientific
evidence. In the meantime, I think I will continue to play on my
approximately 28-year old R-13, which has never been touched by oil, and
which has never cracked.

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu

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