Klarinet Archive - Posting 000620.txt from 2002/05

From: w7wright@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: Re: [kl] Cleaning Mouthpieces.
Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 21:41:36 -0400

<><> Sheri=A0Baldwin wrote:
do I have to be careful not to submerge the cork in the solution, or is
it okay?

It's better (with 10% vinegar in water, or with Sterisol) to submerge
the mouthpiece completely.

<><> Of course, this probably depends on what I'm cleaning the
mouthpiece with.

Just to be sure we understand each other, we are talking only about
immersing the mouthpiece, *NOT* about vigorous scrubbing or brushing or
swabbing of the mouthpiece. Immersion does the job. While there are
smaller swabs made for bass clarinet mouthpieces (I think you mentioned
bass?), and while I frequently *WITH CARE* insert a piece of Kleenex
into my mouthpiece and pull it back out the way it went in, if you
forcefully drag a brush or full-sized swab (instrument swab) through the
mouthpiece, you can damage the mouthpiece's sharp edges and this will
alter your sound.

Cheers,
Bill

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

If I had Stadler's mouthpiece, would I play better? Or do I need his
ligature also? Or perhaps he and I are different persons? If I had
Mozart's pen, would I compose better?

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