Klarinet Archive - Posting 000546.txt from 2004/01

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <arlyss1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] [clarinet] care of clarinet
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 11:04:46 -0500

Gene Nibbelin wrote:

>Since I very carefully swab and rinse the mpc. after each use, I
>don't get any interior "crud" or calcium buildup.
>

Good point, Gene. I always have had to tell my students NEVER to play
on grody mouthpieces unless they want to have the flu for the rest of
their adult life - not to mention other diseases their momma don't want
me to tell them about. ;-)

One thing to keep in mind for beginners and the less experienced folks
on the list:

If you ARE going to use a swab through your mouthpiece, in addition to -
or instead of cleaning it (say, in a hurry after a rehearsal or practice
session) -

Make SURE you pull the swab through the mouthpiece in such a way that it
does NOT rub against the TIP of the mouthpiece or against the bottom of
the window. These areas are VERY vulnerable to erosion, and the
continued swabbing action will eventually erode the facing and change
how your mouthpiece responds. What begins as a fabulous mouthpiece can
become the mouthpiece from the bowels of Charon.

Patricia A. Smith

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