Klarinet Archive - Posting 000071.txt from 2007/01

From: <eefer@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] instrument acting odd....
Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 17:51:03 -0500

I play rosewood and grenadilla clarinets. Rosewood is a
very "live" wood, more so than grenadilla. I live in the
northeastern U.S. From October 1st through May 1st, I use
a large (4" long) violin humidifier in my case clarinet
cases to keep the humidity at 45%-50%. Without that
level, my keys will bind on the rosewood clarinets. It is
nothing more than a tube that is filled with water and
stoppered with a vented, sponge-filled cap. They can be
bought at any luthier's shop or on-line at SharMusic
(www.sharmusic.com)) and are inexpensive. If you want a
hygrometer to tell the humidity level, you can get that at
Shar also. Oddly enough, that is exactly the level that
the luthiers reccommend for the inside of a violin case.
Violins are much more sensitive to moisture loss than
clarinets. I keep a humistat and hygrometer in my violin
case year round because air-conditioning can mess up a
violin as easily as dry heat. I have made the assumption
that the 45% -50% humidity level is acceptable for my
clarinets and have had no problems with binding keys.

Best,

Nancy

Nancy Buckman
Orchestra AACC
Opera AACC
Baltimore Flute Choir
eefer@-----.com

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