Klarinet Archive - Posting 000980.txt from 1998/09

From: avrahm galper <agalper@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] SWAB GOT STUCK !
Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 19:49:14 -0400

SWAB GOT STUCK !

Most interesting comments came in. All good.

I remember some of the old timers used to swab their clarinet even
before they played on it. The reason they gave, it warms up the inside
of the bore so that moisture does not form that quickly.

I always swabbed from the bottom of the clarinet. One of the reasons
being that on the top, the swab might over a period of time slightly
open up the bore more than necessary. That is- if you start from the
top.

I came across some words about swabbing by Boehm the flute maker and
inventor.
He says" The most important matter in the care of flutes, especially
wooden ones (he liked wooden ones) is the wiping out of the tube.
The warping out of shape of the wood which alters the proportions of the
bore and causes most of the cracks, is the result of moisture, which
collects in the tube during the blowing.
This produces an unequal expansion, the consequence of which is often
the formation of superficial ridges, and frequently the complete
bursting of the wood.

Consequently after each blowing the, tube must be wiped perfectly dry,
for which purpose one had best use an old silk or fine linen
handkerchief.
By SLOWLY drawing the cloth through, all the drops of liquid will be
taken up by the first part of the cloth while the following part which
is yet dry will completely remove any remaining moisture.

--
Avrahm Galper
THE UPBEAT BAERMANN MELODIC SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS
htt
--
Avrahm Galper
THE UPBEAT BAERMANN MELODIC SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS
http://www.sneezy.org/avrahm_galper/index.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------