Klarinet Archive - Posting 000084.txt from 2000/02

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Swabbing mouthpiece, was: What is the best reed-and where do I keep
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2000 21:24:20 -0500

In a message dated 2/2/00 6:47:54 AM Central Standard Time, reedman@-----.com
writes:

<<
Actually, he says that it is a myth that it changes it at all. - Again,
another differing view, as many that I respect do say that it changes over
time.
>>

The hard rubber that most mouthpieces are made of is very tough. It takes
some heavy sanding, filing, scraping to make the changes necessary to face
and voice.

If you have a smooth cotton or silk swab, I can't imagine that it could do
anything to the mouthpiece. If your swab is hard and stiff with a feel like
sandpaper.....well, you shouldn't be dragging it thru your clarinet either.

The string on the swab could conceivably do some damage. I have watched
students RIP a swab through a mouthpiece and cringed, anticipating major
damage. I have, however, never seen a mouthpiece that I knew was damaged by
swabbing.

Is this then an old wife's tale?

I don't know, but I personally never draw my swab through my mouthpiece, I
simply wipe it out with a cloth I keep handy for that purpose.

Walter Grabner

http://www.clarinetxpress.com
Hand Crafted Clarinet Mouthpieces:
Clarinet Reed Making Kit
"Making Clarinet Reeds By Hand"

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