 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: julceyyxd
Date: 2012-09-22 17:03
I usually blot my pads after playing, but recently there has been WAY too much moisture under the pad of my low C# key. The one with one ledger line. So much so than I can hear the moisture when I play it and I'll have to take time every 5 minutes or so to blot it. What's going on?
Post Edited (2012-09-22 17:03)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-09-22 19:01
Water will collect in this tonehole due to the position of it - being very low-lying so water will run into it easily. It's normal and something you will have to deal with the best way you can.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-09-22 20:20
Remove the key and scrub the bore area thoroughly with a dampened, well-worn cotton handkerchief dipped in water. Wrap it around the tip of you little finger or the eraser end of a pencil. Do the same for the tone hole chimney, but be gentle if you use a pencil. Let the upper joint dry out completely.
Take a pipe cleaner (the type with fuzz wrapped around a wire) and bend 3/16" at the tip 90 degrees into an L shape. Dip the bent part in bore oil and paint an inverted U in the bore around about 1/4" above the top of the tone hole. The oil will repel condensation and guide it around the hole.
When you put the clarinet down, make sure the tone hole points up, or keep the instrument on a peg.
If it fills up anyway, open the key and give it a stiff blast of air, as if you were tonguing TU. Wipe the inside of the bore with a handkerchief wrapped around your little finger and stick a piece of cigarette rolling paper between the pad and the rim to absorb any remaining water.
A cork pad often helps.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-09-22 20:26
A lot of players swab their horns after perhaps 20 minuites or so. For me it's also about 20 minutes.
Condensation varies a lot with weather conditions, such as heat, cold, and humidity. From experience when playing in bands and symphonies I will swab the horn between pieces.
I think you can over swab, but there's nothing written that I know of, but with much older horns I believe swabbing has effected the bore of the horns. Because of this I use silk. I make my own. I learned to sew in the Air Force! Not very well though! Anyway, you can find a piece of silk at fabric stores for very little money and you will be set for a year or so. I have several because I like washing them alot. Nothing worse then seeing a player using a swab that has all sorts of gross things, weird colors, and the look of digested food!
I went way beyond your posted question, but sometimes using the correct techniques will add a longer life to your horns.
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