 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: John Kelly - Australia
Date: 2002-10-08 06:23
I just wanted to field some opinions regarding storage of the instrument overnight.
My m.o. is to leave the clarinet on the stand overnight [bell and bottom joint only] with the rest separated and lying on a piece of paper to dry out. I don't take the reed off every day unless it needs to go into the "Reedgard" to regain its tension and shape.
Before playing or practicing the next day though, I run the m/p and reed under the hot tap to kill the bugs [seems to work] and rub with a paper towel to dry out.
If I forget this routine I end up with a blister on the chops - but I was wondering if anyone had a better idea. I guess I don't like to completely dismantle the clarinet and return it to the case each day and really, I don't think it's necessary.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-10-08 13:52
Dismantling the instrument is--for me--a lot easier than getting it together in the first place for practice. But it will probably not hurt to leave it on the stand if you be careful to completely swab and dry the bore and tendon sockets. The reed is another story. It should be taken off the mouthpiece and stored on a flat surface in order to dry flatly and uniformily. And, as it is a more sanitary practice, you may not have to worry so much about killing the "bugs".
I knew a local clarinetist who claimed to have used the same reed for twenty years without removing it from the mouthpiece. I doubt that his claim was actually the truth, but his tone quality was awesome--as in, AW!!! SOME sound.
At least, remove and store the reed on a flat surface (glass, reed gaurd) and you should notice an improved difference in reed reponse and longevity.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2002-10-08 15:00
Besides some comments above, if you leave it assembled the corks will compress and eventually the joint will become loose. The cork needs to breathe and it will expand. Otherwise the life will be considerable shorter. I would never wash a mouthpiece in hot water unless I wanted to ruin it. You will warp it. Good luck.
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Author: Mark Charette, Webmaster
Date: 2002-10-08 15:34
Ed wrote:
>
> Besides some comments above, if you leave it assembled
> the corks will compress and eventually the joint will become
> loose. The cork needs to breathe and it will expand. Otherwise
> the life will be considerable shorter.
8 years and still waiting for the corks to compress. I think the problem with corks & assembly may be overrated.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-10-08 15:45
Experience is the best teacher. My teacher taught me to diss it completely and put everything in the case and I still do it that way cause it works for me. I wash my coffee cup with soap and water in the morning,however.
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2002-10-08 19:49
RE: corks compressing
I purchased an Ebay clarinet that had very tight joints. Even with liberal cork grease it was verrrry tight. I left the clarinet assembled for a couple weeks and have found assembly to be much easier ever since.
My hypothesis: the corks will only compress so far. Once they reach a certain pressure point equilibrium is found. They shouldn't compress any more. There may be a breakdown due to lack of oxygen or some other reason but I think it's different than compression.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: John Kelly - Australia
Date: 2002-10-08 23:10
Thanks for the input. Oddly enough I have found that prolonged use of the "Reedgard" actually makes the reed less responsive?!
What I find is that when I use a reed that has been stored "compressesed" for more than a few days I lose a grading, so to speak, that is, a #3+1/2 becomes like a #3 to me and I can't then play it until I cut the tip a little. For me, leaving the reed on the m/p does not have an adverse effect on its playability.
Curious eh?
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