The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SVSorna05
Date: 2003-07-28 22:15
Well im just curious how many people out there prefer their tarnished keys or would prefer new metal plate.... as for me i really dont care which i have
-Dain-
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-07-28 22:47
It all depends. Older clarinets often have solid German silver keys which were plated with a silver or nickel finish. If the top plating has gone you are better off leaving the keys un polished as they get a bit slippery. On modern horns the keys are brass or similar plated with copper and then with nickel or silver. It is best to keep these keys clean as acid from the hands can often permeate the top plating and attack the copper underneath causing bubbling or blooming making the keys uncomfortable to play not to mention spoiling the appearance. A simple wipe down after playing helps and you do not necessailry need a silver cloth to keep them clean.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-07-28 22:51
Mark Pinner wrote:
> IOn modern horns the keys
> are brass or similar plated with copper
Are you sure? I haven't seen any brass keys (or similar) on modern clarinets. The copper plating is there because copper is relatively soft and can be polished to a very smooth surface which makes it much easier to create a very smooth plating on top of it.
AFAIK most modern keys are german silver or similar alloy.
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