Klarinet Archive - Posting 000549.txt from 2004/01

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <arlyss1@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Re: [clarinet] care of clarinet
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 11:25:34 -0500

Karin Berman wrote:

>I now take all the joints apart and swab additionally with a soft tissue, every joint separately. The moisture seems to get trapped between the joints. I then re-assemble my clarinet and let it
>rest on its side in a safe place till the next day.
>
>

Karin, congratulations for taking up an instrument. You will derive
many hours of enjoyment and pleasure from this, I assure you.

three suggestions:

1) I'd use your regular clarinet swab to dry the excess moisture between
the joints, rather than tissues. Tissues can leave unwanted residue on
corks and wood.

2) after each playing, disassemble your clarinet and place it in its
case. Though this may seem a bit much, I was leaving my clarinet on his
stand for a while, since I'm a busy mum. The keys became discolored,
and I had to do quite a bit of work to get them back to their luster.
More importantly, unwanted dust and other tiny microscopic bits can get
between the keys and into the mechanism, causing the horn not to play
well, if you, like I, live in an older home that tends to be a tad on
the dusty side. (Here's hoping you are fortunate and live in a newer
place. My home is about 60 years old and even with new air filters,
dust, and grime gunked up my horn and I had to do an extensive cleaning).

3) Launder your silk swab from time to time, using warm water and a
gentle laundry detergent. If you have a laundry bag for delicates, I'd
place the swab inside this, and put it in the machine. Otherwise, you'll
have to wash it by hand. This is to ensure that disease-causing
bacteria do not build up and cause you to become ill. Our bodies get
rid of a variety of organisms. Additionally, all sorts of bacteria can
live on a damp swab inside a case or even in the open. As I have to be
so careful with my health, I thought I'd pass this along. (Again, being
a busy mum, I can't afford to be sick but so often!)

If ever I can help, please feel free to e-mail me privately. You've
taken a fabulous step which will bring you countless hours of happiness.

Patricia A. Smith

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