Klarinet Archive - Posting 000083.txt from 2005/02

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] loose barrel rings
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2005 00:13:14 -0500

At 10:25 PM 2/3/2005 -0500, Rommel John Miller wrote:
>"If a clarinet wants to crack it will?"
>
>Does the wood from which the clarinet is made have a mind of its own, or
>as is more on the point, the wood of which a clarinet is made is subject
>to the harsh conditions of its environment.
>
>The point therefore is to control the environment in which the wood of the
>clarinet finds itself.
>
>And control can be accomplished with humidifiers, humistats, and good old
>organic bore oil -- namely olive oil.
>
>If properly cared for a clarinet is likely to never crack due to it being
>stressed or overtly dried-out.
>
>And the will of G-D or whatever Supreme Being you may ascribe your faith
>in, has nothing to do with whether the clarinet will crack, only poor
>maintenance.
>
>This comes from a man who has an advanced degree in Philosophy, and is
>struggling to regain his musical prowess and I make no claim to be an
>expert or authority in this matter, but rather a messenger of those who
>are --
>namely Larry Naylor.
>
>Also, a little logic and simple common sense goes a long way.

It is not at all uncommon for instruments to crack REGARDLESS of the best
of care, simply because the wood itself contains internal stresses, and
every piece of wood is different, that cannot be detected at the time of
manufacture. Sometimes they crack even before they are sold! But
otherwise relatively stable pieces of wood can be made to crack with
IMPROPER care. Although manufacturers typically recommend gentle break-in
periods, personally, I recommend playing the He** out of a clarinet right
away. That way, if it DOES crack due to a defective piece of wood, it is
still under warrantee and the affected joint will be replaced!

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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