 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jane
Date: 2001-06-29 06:22
hey! my name is Janey and I just start playing clarinet a year ago or something. i was wondering if anyone could help me. (I'm not quite sure how this forum thing works. sorry) umm, i'm renting a plastic clarinet right now, and I really like it. What is the difference between wood and plastic? Should I be playing on a wooden clarinet? Also, how do i oil my clarinet, and clean it properly? I really enjoy playing and I want my clarinet to last for a long time. Anyhow, I'd appreciate any help. Thanks alot.
-Janey
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-06-29 08:26
Hi, Janey!
You came to the right place. What you're doing is how it works. Just come on in and feel at home. You're always welcome here. Glad you dropped by :]
You raise a good question, one that most of us are a bit prone to gloss over. Also, some people go for years without knowing some of the basics of caring for their instrument and then wonder why one day it's suddenly giving them a difficult time.
It might be helpful if we could know for how long you're renting your clarinet and what make (brand) it is. I don't think you need to oil it. It's helpful to use a mouthpiece brush to clean the mouthpiece once or twice a week. If you don't have a brush, just rinse it well with warm running water and maybe a little hand soap. Run a swab through the bore of the instrument when you finish playing/practicing for the day. If you don't have a swab, just air it out for a while before you put it away. Plastic is pretty maintenance free. Wood horns require a bit more care. They're somewhat sensitive to sudden temperature and humidity changes.
Could you tell us a little about yourself? Do you have a clarinet teacher, or are you picking it up on your own? Do you play in a group -- band, orchestra, ensemble, or just to entertain your pet... ?
Enough. Others will be over to offer some advice too. Nice meeting you.
- ron b -
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-06-29 11:20
Plastic clarinets do not require oiling of the instrument. At some point in time (but certainly not for a long time yet), the pivot points of the keys should be oiled. Just keep your plastic clarinet and your mouthpiece clean by swabbing.
The question is not plastic versus wood but instead student grade instruments versus intermediate or professional grade. Modern student instruments are made of plastic and are better than the wooden student horns of 60 years ago. Of course this assumes that we are talking about the major brands. On the other hand, intermediate and professional horns are of better quality than student horns. It so happens that the majority of the latter are made of wood. However there are a few non-wooden pro horns around and they are very good.
A good quality student horn will be adequate for many years so long as you are using a good mouthpiece and reeds. Do a search on this board and read up on these topics. The mouthpiece and reed are actually more important to your sound than the instrument itself.
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Author: Roger
Date: 2001-06-29 11:29
When you advance you may wish to upgrade to a wooden clarinet. BUT if you are doing (or think you will do) marching band you should hold on to the plastic clarinet. The best way I know to ruin a perfectly good wooden clarinet is to march it in the rain and cold. Beside pad replacement (which could occur under these circumstances on a plastic clarinet) you expose the wood to greater danger of cracking.
Another piece of advice. Try not to get discourgaged. There is a lot to learn and you cannot learn it all at once. It takes time and patience. You will have horrible practice sessions where you do nothing right and then suddenly at the next practice session you do it write. I am 54 years old and took up the clarinet in earnest at age 37 and am still learning. Be patient and may you find the perfect reed.
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Author: Janey
Date: 2001-06-29 23:02
well, thanks alot for all of your advice. that's helps me alot!  clarinet is so fun! i will try not to be discouraged because i know that i'll have good days. and some bad days, but i think it will be fun becoming better at the clarinet and working hard at it. anyhow, thanks alot!
-Janey
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Author: willie
Date: 2001-06-30 05:30
Be careful with running a mouthpiece brush through the mouthpiece. Some brushes have exposed metal at the tip that can scratch the bore, or worse the rails and tip. As for the warm water, use the baby bottle method of temperature. Test with the skin on the inside of your wrist. Too warm or hot water can warp the mouthpiece. Personaly I use lemon juice ( citric acid ) and a Q-tip on mine about once a week.
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Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2001-06-30 15:00
Janey -
Welcome to the world of clarinet playing. You will find a large number of very capable clarinet players here who will be willing to pass on information to you just for the asking. The main thing is to just enjoy your playing and grow at a steady pace. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day. You will not become an expert overnight, either. Slow, steady improvement is much prefered over spurts of rapid improvement and then forgetting what you learned.
I would recommnend that you take good care of the instrument which you have and it will last you a very long time. Careful attention to cleaning the instrument each time you play is one of the best methods of good care. Don't put off swabbing the instrument out EACH time you finish playing. If you wait until you get home the saliva will already have had time to dry out and you have defeated the purpose of swabbing.
Wipe off the reed each time after you play also and store it in a reed holder designed for this purpolse, not necessarily the container in which it came. This is one of the best ways to preserve and keep the reeds in good condition. Remember, that they will not last a lifetime. Just like shoes, they do wear out and need replacing. They also need proper breaking in just like shoes. Treat them properly and they will serve you well.
I could go on for hours, but you need to digest this first. Enjoy your playing, learn slowly but steadily, and practice with a purpose in mind, not haphazardly.
Good luck,
Bob Curtis
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Author: Janey
Date: 2001-07-01 01:19
Wow thanks so much! i didn't expect so many replies to my post thingie. but i've learned alot already! thanks somuch to everyone who replied to my questions! i got lots of goodadvice!
-janey
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