Klarinet Archive - Posting 000804.txt from 2002/04

From: w7wright@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: Re: [kl] Breaking in new clarinet
Date: Sun, 28 Apr 2002 19:13:56 -0400

<><> Rob Gati wrote:
I have just purchased a new instrument and the book that came with it
says the clarinet should not be played for long periods at first [...]
I also read somewhere that a new clarinet tends to play flat for awhile.
I have noticed this to be true, at least with this horn. At what point
will the intonation become more "true"...?

Hello, Rob. Since nobody else has replied, I'll put forth my
opinion:

When you begin playing a new instrument, your own technique --- breath,
embouchure, tactile feedback, etc --- will undergo a period of
adjustment, perhaps unconsciously or perhaps consciously if you are an
experienced player. It's easy to feel that the instrument is
undergoing a 'break-in' or 'change' when, in fact, it is you who are
adjusting (that is, taking advantage of the new instrument's benefits).

Equally as important, if you have a wood clarinet, the climate is going
to have a noticeable effect as the seasons change, or as the heating/air
conditioning in your building changes, or as you move from one location
to another, etc. You will notice (occasionally) that a joint will slip
together a bit easier or tighter, or the metal ring at a joint will
loosen or tighten, etc. A wood clarinet never reaches a "final stable"
condition. And of course, the instrument's temperature affects its
tuning from moment to moment.

Here's another point: while there may be a temptation to assume that a
reed's behavior can be extended to a clarinet body's behavior, I doubt
that it actually happens that way. Thus superstitions can arise.
Probably they are false. Most people agree that you can damage a reed
if you play it too hard during the first few days. Reeds are fragile,
they absorb moisture to the point where they can become waterlogged, and
they *do* change during their first exposure to moisture (saliva).
But it's doubtful that a clarinet body, which is made of much different
material, behaves this way.

Perhaps the only thing that you can reasonably expect to happen during
the first few weeks is that the mechanical action may smoothen a bit;
but even here, a clarinet with quality keywork already operates
smoothly.

FWIW........

<><> Also, are there any suggestions as far as using bore oil or
anything else with regard to breaking in this brand new clarinet...?

This is like asking which flavor of beer is best. Some people will
argue this question to death and never agree. I think it's safe to say
that only a small percentage of players oil their instrument. But if
you wish, you can spend significant amounts of money to get your new
instrument oiled by an expert (who claims to do it better than you can
do it yourself). I'm sure that someone here will want to explain to
you the alleged benefits of oiling..... but not me.

It is possible to gum up your instrument (keys, holes, register tube) if
you leave too much oil behind.

There was one occasional when I oiled a woodwind. I had purchased a
very thin-walled bamboo flute, and I was travelling from one climate
(Irish coast) to a very different climate. I was worried that the
instrument would crack, so I swabbed it a couple of times with whatever
oil was handy at the moment. (My memory is that it was something
especially weird.... banana oil or something like that). The
instrument did not crack.... so I suppose this proves that banana oil is
<just kidding!!! that's how superstitions get started, someone is going
to remember "banana oil" and pass it on...>

Cheers,
Bill

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