Klarinet Archive - Posting 000139.txt from 2005/05

From: ormo2ndtoby@-----.net (Ormondtoby Montoya)
Subj: [kl] Storage and cleaning
Date: Fri, 06 May 2005 20:59:23 -0400

Warren=A0Rosenberg wrote:

> I was wondering how damaging would it be if
> I just kept my clarinet out most of the time.

If you're thinking of not taking your clarinet apart and swabbing and
drying it after each session, you're headed for trouble. You can
develop problems even if you do these things but allow yourself to be a
bit sloppy about it, or if your weather remains warm & humid.

> I was thinking of even getting a plastic one so
> it would be less of a risk (I assume).

Moisture accumulates in sockets, regardless of whether they're plastic
or wood. If you don't disassemble and dry the sockets and the tenon
cork surfaces, the saliva will sit there without evaporating and it will
act as a culture medium. (After all, saliva contains lots of living
stuff.)

> How do you, if you do, clean your
> mouthpiece.

Rinse briefly in water, or in soap & water, after each session, then dry
it with a Kleenex. Many people also soak it occasionally for 10
minutes in a white-vinegar-and-water mixture --- some people use
straight white vinegar --- especially if you see a buildup of white
material (calcium) inside the mouthpiece.

And don't forget to rinse and dry the reed (with Kleenex or such) the
reed as well. There are plenty of horror stories about students
looking at their reed under a microscope after having left the reed
stuck on the mouthpiece for a few weeks.

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