Klarinet Archive - Posting 000804.txt from 1997/09

From: Jrykorten@-----.com
Subj: Re: Washing Mouthpieces
Date: Tue, 16 Sep 1997 12:35:29 -0400

Peter,

You know if you wash a hard rubber mouthpiece in hot water it will discolor
the mouthpiece permanently. Turns a greenish brown - I think, I am color
challenged. Best to wash in only warm water.

In a message dated 97-09-13 06:43:28 EDT, Peter Stoll write:

<<
Could be either leftover saliva in the mouthpiece, or the smell of the
rubber...although they look like plastic, many mpc's are actually
hardened rubber, and especially if washed in hot water, will emit a
rubbery smell...what most players do is to wash out the mpc after playing
in lukewarm water, then let air dry...do not pull a swab through, this can
scratch the mpc bore, rather for extra cleaning, take a kleenex, twirl one
corner to make the tissue a long cone, and pull this through. Should also
help keep down bacteria (a stored mpc after playing is a dark, damp
environment, perfect for bacteria)...hope this helps!

Peter Stoll
Instructor of Clarinet and Chamber Music
University of Toronto
>>