 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Meri
Date: 2000-04-28 18:48
First, I'll say that this message is more geared towards those of us living in Southern Ontario/Quebec and the Northeastern US.
Has anyone living in any of these regions noticed the rather low humidity levels the past week or so (given that humidty in this region is normally about 60-65%, but recently, with levels as low as 34%), feel as if your clarinets are "drying out", especially in the case of instruments made in the 1970's or earlier?
Just wondered if it was me or if others in this area are experiencing such problems.
Meri
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Author: George Kidder
Date: 2000-05-01 14:32
Congratulations on your weather. Here in one part of Northeastern USA (coastal Maine) it has been overcast if not actually raining since a week ago last Thursday! Rained 7 inches over weekend before last. No humidity shortage here!
I try to fight the changes in humidity by changing what I do with the swabs and the case. In the winter, the damp swabs go into the case, which is kept closed. In the summer, the swabs hang out on the music stand to dry, and the case is left partially open, to dry out. Seems to keep the wood at a more-or-less constant measurement, presumably because it is at a more-or-less constant water content.
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Author: KevinS
Date: 2000-05-01 18:18
Meri,
I live in Las Vegas, NV. Our humidity levels are between 5% and 25% normally. I own a pair of Leblanc Dynamiques circa 1955. I have had to put a humidifier in my case. I use a small humidifying device that is adjustable for the outside humidity levels. It was originally designed for cigar humidor. Works great and fits right into the bell of the Bb clarinet in my set.
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Author: Frank
Date: 2000-05-01 19:46
Another humidifier trick you may use, if you don't want to spend any money: If you have an old 35mm film canister lying around, you can poke a series of holes in the canister (about 30 holes) fill the canister with a papertowel or tissue (tightly packed), the thoroughly soak the papertowl with water. Put the cap back on the cannister and place the entire thing in your case. This has worked for me for many years.
Sudden and drastic changes in humidity do affect pad seating also. About five years ago in Los Angeles there were severe rain storms followed by very low humidity a few days later. Pads were not sitting right, and clarinets were cracking. So a humidifier is "A Good Thing."
Good luck,
Frank
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