The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-12-05 06:30
I am thinking with this dry season, that I may need to keep track of the humidity in my clarinet case. The ends of my tenons seem to be getting dry (that red wood color) and I want to make sure that I don't keep it too humid or too dry.
I have a little non-digital hygrometer, but it's not calibrated. The guy at the cigar show told me how to calibrate it by put a tiny cup or salt water paste in a zip lock bag with the hygrometer and calibrate to some %. But I forgot the precent! Anyone know how to calibrate it?
Thanks,
Contragirl
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2003-12-05 14:48
Contragirl,
Relative humidity is the amount of moisture in the air versus the maximum amount of moisture that could be in the air at that temperature. When there is no moistue in the air, it is 0 % relative humidity. When the air is holding all the moisture it can, it is 100% relative humidity. If you place a small open container of water (or enough paste) inside a sealed plastic bag, the relative humidity will (after some priod of time) stabelize at 100%.
I have a whole house humidifier which I adjust so that during the heating season the indoor humidity is a minimum of 40%. This keeps clarinets, piano tuning boards, furniture, etc. from drying out as much as they would otherwise. It is also more comfortable (less wind chill on skin).
In the cooling season I run a dehumidifier, adjusted to maintain a maximum of 50% relative humidity. More comfortable and less mold.
You can buy both humidifiers and dehumidifiers. MIne are both ancient and came from Sears. I'm not sure if the still carry them.
This doesn't help when your clarinet is away from home, but most clarinets spend most of their time at home.
John
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-12-05 15:42
CG, see the "Air Travel Thought" thread below, re: Rel. Hum. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: TerpUMD
Date: 2003-12-05 21:02
Bonnie,
I get the same thing going on with my tenon rings. I've always used orange peels myself. As for your meter, I'd like to check it out.
E-mail me and we'll get together someday and do lunch, etc.
Kisses,
Rob
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Author: Noebie
Date: 2003-12-05 21:05
75% contra...and leave it sit a few hours closed before you calibrate
from an old cigar smokin' guy
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2003-12-06 01:42
Does anyone know much about damp-its? Could that help? Or could it over humidify my clarinet?
Thanks,
Contragirl
P.S. And Rob, baby, maybe some time we can go out and dance the night away.
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