Klarinet Archive - Posting 000239.txt from 2003/05

From: "Raycraft" <raycraft@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] excessive saliva
Date: Sat, 10 May 2003 20:07:05 -0400

> This lady, an accomplished amateur seems to acquire an excessive=20
> amount of saliva when playing. She has to swab out or blow out on
> the C# or Eb side key within five minutes or less playing time.
Can anyone on the list give me a reason and a cure for this problem.

Doug,

There IS no cure. ;-)

I also have this dreaded malady, "The Wet Pad Syndrome".......I
have been told that it is because I drink too much coffee. However,
others who drink more coffee than I, do not seem to have this problem.

I do believe the correct term is *condensation*. Those of us with this
condition do not drool or spit into our instruments. It must be that we
have a lot of hot air ;-) and blowing it into a cooler instrument
causes moisture to build up very quickly. That seems to be the theory,
anyway. But then, why does it still seem to happen when the instrument
is properly warmed up?

Pads in the susceptible locations only last a few months, even with
blotting the moisture frequently while playing. I have had to switch to
cork pads in about five or six places. This does not solve the gurgling
sound that such moisture produces, however.

I would also be interested in suggestions for dealing with this, but
as I said before, I realize there is no cure. Except maybe to sell
my clarinets and take up the guitar. :-(

Sue

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