Klarinet Archive - Posting 000245.txt from 2000/02

From: David Blumberg <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] re: alcohol and mouthpieces
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2000 06:26:43 -0500

"W. Edinger" <wde1@-----.com>
Subject: alcohol and mouthpieces
Message-ID: <389906D3.4136AE32@-----.com>
The use of swabs to at least partially disinfect clarinet parts sounds
like a clever and effective idea, but it should come with a warning
against using it on plastic mouthpieces. I've never had a problem (I
don't use plastic), but I was convinced some time back from a very high
authority (it was several subscribers to this list with personal
experience) that alcohol can make the plastic brittle and fracture it,
or make it susceptible to fracture.
Bill Edinger

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

It is wrong. I use Alcohol swabs constantly with my students, and over many
of my younger ones play with Plastic M.P.'s (sneezy sponsor) that show
absolutely zero change with the use of the swab. Not more brittle, don't
break any easier at all. I go through about 1 box every 3 weeks or so.
But then again, let's assume that it does make it easier, more brittle,
more "molecularly unstable" , as others may feel - it's only plastic that
costs under $30. So get a new one! They aren't Gigliotti's afterall.

David Blumberg
music@-----.com
http://www.mp3.com/mytempo
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