 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: moolatte
Date: 2009-09-05 07:57
Well, I was just traveling with my band yesterday, and they told us to put our cases in the compartment under the bus. It rained really hard, and just 30 minutes ago, I pulled out my case, and there was water everywhere. I have a fabric case that I absolutely love, and all of the outside got wet, but nothing too major inside got wet (My etudes book got wet, along with all my band music, which I've got both airing out to dry.)
The clarinet may have gotten wet. I'm not sure. I felt each joint individually, and all of them felt dry, except for the bell, which felt cold, not wet.
Based on anyone's personal experiences, what's the best thing to do? (Besides sue the band for ruining a limited edition case because I was not warned it would get wet :P) I was riding with mainly the saxophones and bass clarinets, which are hard cases that don't let in water except through the opening. Therefore, I wasn't offered a chance to get it anyways.
I've got my case bouncing around in the dryer, and it's makes absolute noise this late at night.
The clarinet is something probably replaceable. It's only a Normandy 4, and they're pretty cheap these days. But I'd rather not deal with shelling out $200-400.
Post Edited (2009-09-05 08:06)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-09-05 09:05
Just let the case dry in the sun, opened. The clarinet will quite probably be okay after a day on a towel on the dresser in the bedroom.
--
Ben
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-09-05 10:13
Whenever travelling on coaches, always take your clarinet on with you and don't put it in the luggage compartment regardless of what the band director may say - it's your clarinet and you want what's best for it. Clarinet cases are small and will fit in the overhead compartments.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-09-05 12:38
A clarinet is designed to get wet, particularly in the bore, but the outside is made of the same material. The springs might rust, but probably not if you leave the instrument out on a towel, as tictactux advises. A wipe-down and quick blow-off with a hair dryer set on medium or low could help.
When the West Point band got caught in a storm during an honor guard or a parade, we would all bring our (plastic Bundy) parade clarinets to the repair room, where the guys would blow off the water with an air hose and put a bit of oil on the screws and rods.
Ken Shaw
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Author: pewd
Date: 2009-09-05 15:14
this is why i recommend plastic clarinets for marching band use.
and i get in trouble with a few band directors for doing so.
the advice above is spot on.
i also put a bit of key oil on a q-tip, and rub it on the exposed springs - so they don't rust. after a pouring rain, i'd disassemble the horn, and oil all the springs and flat spring screws.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-09-05 15:27
I think plastic Yamahas still use stainless steel springs (both flat and needle) so chances of them rusting are very slim - same with Bundys. B12s and some others have blued steel springs that will rust, and they can then break without warning.
But in any case, do try to avoid getting the mechanism, springs and screws wet (which may be easier said than done), and if it does get wet, dry everything thoroughly (leave it out of its case to dry as Ben suggests) as soon as possible instead of putting it away while the mechanism is still wet.
If the pads are wet, blow the excess water off them (open the keys and blow as you would do when you get water in a tonehole) and then blot them with tissue paper or kitchen towel (Bounty/Plenty is good as it doesn't tear easily), but don't drag the paper from under closed pads as this can scuff or tear the skin - open the keys, close the pads onto the tissue paper and then open the key again to take the paper out.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2009-09-05 15:35
"The clarinet may have gotten wet. I'm not sure. I felt each joint individually, and all of them felt dry, except for the bell, which felt cold, not wet."
It seems your clarinet did not get wet anyway.
If it did, then the important thing is that the pivots are/were oiled, so that moisture does not rust them, although many pivot rods and screws are now made from stainless steel.
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