 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sspengler
Date: 2014-04-25 08:03
Is there a reference guide for this topic? I know the basics of cleaning, but want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything.
Also, I saw some earlier posts about allowing a wooden clarinet to warm up before play. Can someone give me some clarification of this? I'm probably over-analyzing it a bit... When do you need to do this, if ever? Does one just rub the joints or hold them to allow the heat transfer? Or does "cuddling" it work best?
Thanks in advance!
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Author: Johan H Nilsson
Date: 2014-04-25 11:23
If the instrument feels cool in your hands, warm it with the same hands, especially the upper part of the upper joint. That's where the heat from your air stream will warm up the bore the fastest.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-04-25 11:29
The 'clarinet care' side of warming up refers to winter months in cold climates. If the clarinet is left in a cold room or car (well below a comfortable temperature) for a length of time just before being taken out to play, you should get it up to 'room temperature' FIRST before blowing air through the horn (body temperature air rushing down a wooden tube that may be 50 degrees cooler is NOT a good idea).
In that case, you hold the individual sections (barrel, top joint, bottom joint, bell) in your hands until the wood body and keys are no longer cool to the touch.
.........Paul Aviles
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2014-04-25 12:00
For humidity control in the drier months, use dampits (NOT on the inside of the clarinet like it says, trust me) or orange peels or a small piece of damp sponge. I live in Tempe, AZ (go to ASU) and if I don't refill my dampits everyday, after maybe two days, the rings start to become loose on the joints, barrels, and bells.
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Author: sspengler
Date: 2014-04-25 21:44
That's pretty interesting to note, Clari. I noticed that the ring around the bell and the rings around the barrel are loose and had wondered why. The repair tech recommended a soak and oil to recondition the wood..
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2014-04-26 17:11
The use of a dampit is very important in a dry climate. If you have to fill it every day try the next size to hold more moisture. If the clarinet is very cold just open the case for a while before playing it. I used to do that all the time when we toured and the instruments would be cold during the winter when we had to ship them. I always shipped my bass clarinet but carried my set. What I always do then is to blow air through the barrel top into the clarinet for a few minutes before playing it. I've always told my students to just us common sense. Unless the clarinet is "freezing" cold it won't hurt the wood to SLOWLY warm it up. The problem is that it will play flat until it is well warmed.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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