Klarinet Archive - Posting 000934.txt from 1998/09

From: "F. Sheim" <fsheim@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] SWAB GOT STUCK !
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:08:09 -0400

I ALWAYS swab from the top to the bell. The theory here is that the upper
portion of the clarinet gets more moist than the lower, and swabbing from
the top down distributes the moisture throughout the whole instrument,
which is better for the wood. Also I would guess that there is less chance
of swab jamming, since the swab is being sent through a tube that is
INCREASING in diameter. A couple of times it got snagged on the octave
tube, but that is easy to release once you remove the barrel. The only
reason I can guess to swab from the bottom up is that it is easier to start
the swab in the larger bell of the horn. I must admit though, every
orchestral musician I have seen does it from the bottom up. :(

Fred (fsheim@-----.com)

At 04:47 PM 9/24/98 +1200, you wrote:
>The trouble with pushing back a stuck swap is obvoiusly that the pushing
>bunches it up and makes it stick better. Maybe swabs should be pulled from
>the narrow end to the fat end of the joint.
>
>Personally, I never swab without dismantling the instrument because it is
>important to swab the tenons properly. And the swabs I use are always longer
>that any one joint.
>
>Just in case anyone might like the idea, here is how I make my swabs. Take a
>piece of thick cord , attach a weight to one end and make a slim noose at
>the other (this is where your boy scout training comes in). Then use a men's
>sized cotton or silk handkerchief, with one corner clamped into the noose.
>The result is a cheap swab - you can easily replace the handkerchief
>periodically or just throw it in the washing machine.
>
>Does anyone else have a swab design they would like to share?
>
>Graeme Cox
>Graeme.Cox@-----.nz
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: George Kidder [SMTP:gkidder@-----.net]
>> Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 1998 3:35 AM
>> To: klarinet@-----.org
>> Subject: [kl] SWAB GOT STUCK !
>>
>>
>> >Imagine that happening at a concert!
>>
>> I have seen it happen, to an oboist, who swabbed his instrument between
>> movements with great panache. When the swab stuck, he tried to get it
>> out,
>> then went back-stage and tried more. After about 3/4 of an hour, he
>> returned with a borrowed oboe and finished the concert. I heard that they
>> indeed had to drill out the swab!
>>
>> George Kidder
>>
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