Klarinet Archive - Posting 000542.txt from 2002/01

From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] Orange Peels
Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2002 22:11:34 -0500

>> On Fri, 18 Jan 2002 11:06:32 +0100, gooden@-----.nl said:
>>
>> > Well, don't take oranges or orange peels or a clarinet with orange
>> > peels * into an airplane. You'll be arrested for sure.
>>
on 1/19/2002 7:13 AM, Tony Pay wrote:

>> * or a clarinet by itself
>>
>> Why?
>>
>> Answers on a Klarinet post please.
>
>I didn't know about Roger Shilcock's bass clarinet story, but the answer
>is that sharp objects are now not allowed in the cabin.

Couldn't you just get a longer barrel?!? ;-) And, in the case of you
period instrument folks - do they have period baggage inspectors to
determine sharp objects? (440/415/4xx?)

But seriously, folks - I've followed this thread with some amusement.
I've used orange peels since Bob Schmidt recommended them to me in the
late 1970's. In the cold dry winter climate of upstate New York (cold and
dry 9 months out of the year, I might add) they kept the instrument
nicely humidified. A repair tech that I used at the time also thought it
better than anything that was more "wet" (dampits, etc) because the
excessive moisture could corrode or rust springs. I try to keep my
clarinets, case, and the orange peels away from open flame ;-)

Others have commented on how they use the peels in their cases. I cut
them into strips wide enough to go over the corks of each joint, which
keeps the corks nicely expanded. Never had any tarnishing problems
(Yamaha 72's, silver plated keys, now 12 and 16 years old). The extra
bits I put into the bells to keep the ring tight.

BTW I once had a student try grapefruit peels, which were very oily and
made somewhat of a mess in her case and on her clarinet. Based on that
experience I wouldn't recommend it.

Cheers!

David
(who is enjoying a snow day)

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/

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