 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-05-01 11:40
I know several people that lick tenon corks and sax crook corks when they assemble them, and they wonder why I tell them not to (especially if they're borrowing one of my own instruments) as they've 'always done this'.
I know it's not good practice as it can cause corks to shrink and harden in the long term, but does amylase (or other enzymes) in the saliva damage the cork?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-05-01 12:14
It wouldn't surprise me, as the enzymes in saliva are there to begin the digestive process. Aside from that, there is no good reason to lick the corks, and the whole thing is just sort of disgusting. ![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif) ![[frown]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie2.gif) And if it's your instrument, they should respect your wishes!
Jeff
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-05-01 12:27
Well, if you have never licked a tenon cork you just don't know what you're missing.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-05-01 12:36
I'm workng with cork all the time, and the last thing I want to do is lick the stuff!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2007-05-01 12:58
Human saliva does not contain enzymes that break down cellulose but does have other enzymes which will attack the polysaccharide linkages that help hold the cork cells together. Actually, I have never seen anyone lick their cork tenons but I gather that the moisture temporarily improves the coefficient of friction enabling easier assembly of the instrument. This is what cork grease is designed to do and to me it is a socially offensive practice and I would be not happy if my own instrument was exposed to this as a loaner. Owners of their own instruments however are allowed to lick any part that makes them happy in their own environment.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2007-05-01 13:30
I've used the lick technique combined with a butane lighter flame to temporarily bring some life back to an old, over-compressed cork. But, that's only in a severe emergency when it's the only way that a borrowed horn will play in tune.
Also, I've taken to having my neck corks done from tighter, thiner sheet cork rather than from the "puffy" usual form of neck cork. I've found that they last much longer, wear like iron, and still do all that they need to do.
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2007-05-01 14:27
I agree with Jeff's comment that it is just disgusting. Yuck.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-05-01 15:14
Just smear those corks with Jalapeño oil before lending the instrument to someone. That'll teach them!
--
Ben
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2007-05-01 19:33
Jalapenos, or dark chocolate sauce?
Bob Phillips
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Author: D
Date: 2007-05-01 20:06
my first reaction was also yuck. but then I realised, that all that spit is going down the inside of the borrowed instrument anyway, and running out the tone holes, and soaking the pads. so what is the difference.....
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Author: hans
Date: 2007-05-01 20:29
It's an acquired taste ;-) And it's a common practise among sax players. If you've lost or forgotten your cork grease, licking the cork is better than nothing. Cork is just tree bark. It's already dead. If licking it shortens its useful life from 20 years to 15 years, that's nothing to get excited over.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-05-01 21:53
"my first reaction was also yuck. but then I realised, that all that spit is going down the inside of the borrowed instrument anyway, and running out the tone holes, and soaking the pads. so what is the difference....."
The difference is that it's mostly condensation and hardly any spit that runs down the bore, and the more important fact of the matter here is the borrowed instrument was one of MY clarinets.
I never mistreat any instrument I borrow, so I should expect they respect mine likewise.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2007-05-01 22:28
It seems that this is a regional thing. I've never witnessed the practice, neither on clarinet nor sax. Perhaps everybody uses cork grease here?
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Author: musiciandave
Date: 2007-05-01 22:53
I only lick my mouthpiece cork as I don't use cork grease to assemble that part. That way if I'm changing clarinets, I just put the mouthpiece in my mouth with the cork end and don't taste corkgrease.
works well.
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Author: susieray
Date: 2007-05-01 23:18
One of the guys in our clarinet section does that. He's been playing
the same horn since 1953, and I think he would have noticed by now
if it was causing any problems. I've also seen sax players do it a lot,
so I really don't think it is anything to worry about. But if you ask the
person not to do it when using your instrument they should respect
your wishes.
Post Edited (2007-05-02 03:48)
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Author: ChrisArcand
Date: 2007-05-02 01:05
I have never even heard of this.
Is it that hard to use cork grease? And doesn't that work a whole lot better?
If you're completely screwed before a performance and literally cannot get stuff together, I understand it.
CA
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Author: susieray
Date: 2007-05-02 01:12
Oh, it's way quicker than cork grease.
![[happy]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley12.gif)
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2007-05-02 01:51
could always ask the person next to you to borrow cork grease. I've never seen anyone lick their own instrument
think i'll stay out of the Oregon area ..... ;-)
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2007-05-02 10:32
Post Edited (2007-05-03 07:11)
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