Klarinet Archive - Posting 000012.txt from 2002/08

From: Robyn Brown <rjbrown@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] Crack personal experience?
Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2002 03:08:26 -0400

Hi all,

Having just purchased a brand new Buffet, the thing that is obviously on my
mind is a fear of having my instrument crack, especially because I am in
dry Eastern Washington. I've played an ancient Buffet for many years and
have never had to worry about cracking because the wood was so old and
stable. I've gotten some information on crack prevention from the
archives, but I would like to know what your personal experiences
are. I've heard varied and conflicting reports, so I'm curious to know
what processes of breaking in and maintenance actually work. So, here are
my questions:
1. Has anyone carefully broken in a clarinet (15 minutes a day for a week
then gradually adding a little a day) and still had it crack? Or has
anyone jumped right in and used the clarinet a lot and never had it crack?
2. What else have you done to your clarinet that either helped prevent
cracking or caused a crack?
I realize that a clarinet that is inclined to crack will probably crack no
matter what you do, but I'd like to do my best to avoid it. My clarinet
arrived a week ago (it's wonderful) and so far I've been playing it every
other day for 30-45 minutes. Please tell me your stories! Feel free to
contact me on or off list (rjbrown@-----. Thanks in advance for your help!

Robyn

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