 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bob Redstone
Date: 2002-11-14 13:47
I'm buying my son his first wood clarinet for the holiday's. How about some input on day to day and long term maitenance of his new instrument. You know, how often to apply cork grease, use of the swab and the best material for it. Care of the reeds, etc.
Maybe the Doctor would be interested in creating a pamphlet about the subject.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-11-14 14:44
Swab after every use. Silk "hankerchief" models are best. Don't forget to wipr dry the tendon sockets as well.
Grease the cork tendons by applying greash first to the forefinger and then onto the cork. This will prevent using too much. Rule--if ou can see the grease, yu are using too much. Apply grease whenever assembly is difficult. Assemble joints with a push and twist motion.
Clean mouthpiece occassionaly with "lukewarm" water and soap. Do not swab.
Store reeds in a LaVoz style reed container that will protect them and allow them to dry uniformly. Some use a glass type reed storage compartment (Harrison, Selmer, etc) and others simply use a piece of glass with a rubber band to hold the reeds in place. I also recommend using only saliva to wet the reeds before use and rubbing of the reed vamp before and after use to seal the tubes of xylum that are cut during manufacture. This increases the life of the reed and enhances tone production.
Do not drop clarinet. And do not stand clarinet on the floor on its bell when not in use. Lay it in a safe position (for short periods of inactivity) on a chair or the floor, carry it with you or put it back in its case for storage.
Avoid sudden temperature changes as in playing it while still very cold or taking it outside in the winter while it is still quite warm from playing. The wood may crack.
Just some brief thoughts on care. Enjoy playing--that is what it is "all about.""
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-11-14 15:34
Hi, Bob.
Thank you for sharing your son's, and your's of course, interest in the clarinet with us. What a delight
One of the best clarinet gifts (investments) you can treat yourself and your son to, in my opinion, is the Tipbook, Clarinet - published by the Tipbook Company (Netherlands). It's available at many music stores and frequently on the 'Net. A series of booklets, about 4"x8" and 130 or so pages, each one of the booklets covers one of most major instruments, piano, strings, woodwinds, percussion, brass.
These handy little publications are great for both before and after purchasing a musical instrument.
Here are just some of the chapter headings:
A Quick Tour
Learning to Play
Buying a Clarinet
A Good Clarinet
Mouthpieces, Ligatures, and Barrels
Reeds
Before and After
Maintenance
Brands
Groups and Orchestras
The Clarinet book has 14 chapters, glossary, index - and more... covering all the essentials you'll need for a very long time. They cost around $10 (U.S) -- and you can easily take it with you wherever you go.
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Author: Vic
Date: 2002-11-14 16:15
Bob - and to supplement ron b's excellent recommendation, I would suggest "The Art of Clarinet Playing," by Keith Stein. Best of luck, and above all, have fun!
Vic
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