 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TomD
Date: 2010-09-27 17:53
After playing with a head cold, is there any way to de-germ the bore, i.e., anything that you can swab through the clarinet that will kill germs without affecting the wood or is it best to just leave it alone? I use alcohol on the mouthpiece.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-09-27 19:35
Colds are caused by viruses that mutate very quickly. That's why there's no vaccine yet, and you keep getting them.
However, once you get a cold, you become immune to re-infection by that particular virus version. Thus you can continue to play without getting that cold again.
Germicides such as alcohol have no effect, since the infecting organism is a virus, not a germ. If you feel "safe" using it, go ahead, but it has no actual biological effect.
Viruses can't survive for very long once the sneeze droplets by which they are transmitted evaporate. Thus your clarinet won't get "infected."
You of course keep swabbing out the clarinet to prevent mold and keep water from soaking into the end grain of the wood, and you clean the mouthpiece to remove mineral deposits from evaporating saliva.
Ken Shaw
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2010-09-27 19:47
Is it recommended to chuck reeds used (with any illness)? I generally do.
Rachel
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-09-27 20:32
Rachel -
In a word, no, for the same reasons I gave in the previous post.
You play a reed until it's no longer good. However, when it gets dirty or cruddy, I can revive it, at least for a little while, by scrubbing the vamp with an old toothbrush and a bit of toothpaste.
Ken Shaw
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Author: clarinetcase
Date: 2010-09-27 21:50
If you really like the reed and you're worried, soak it in hydrogen peroxide. Viruses and bacteria do not thrive in an oxygen-rich environment.
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Author: TomD
Date: 2010-09-27 22:56
Colds aside, does the bore ever need "cleaning", i.e., does a film build up over time that needs to be removed over the years or does the swabbing after playing take care of this? I have a 4 year old Yamaha CSG-H. Yamaha doesn't even recommend oiling.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-09-27 23:12
I'd say swabbing takes care of it, provided you wash the rag from time to time. A "film", if there is one, probably consists of traces of cork grease and the (sugared) liquids you've been drinking prior to playing. A dirty swab will spread that stuff all over the place.
Good wood is self-sealing in the way that when moisture is acting upon it, the surface will swell (ever so little), thus seal itself and drive excess water out.
What's making wood age is the constant change of moisture, dryness, moisture (ie expansion, contraction) etc. But once you swab it while it's still wet I see no fundamental problem. Do air the instrument a bit after swabbing, then store it in its case. And by all means, use it in regular intervals.
If the bore does get "fluffy" because fibers are standing up, then it's probably time for a service...
--
Ben
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Author: William
Date: 2010-09-28 00:41
I have always thought that when you get over a cold or the flu, it is because your immune system strengthened sufficiently to combat the germs and you are therefore immune. So there is no danger of reinfection from your reeds or instrument. If I am wrong about this, I hope one of our physician clarinetists will correct me.
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