 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: atl4413
Date: 2004-03-01 14:44
What do you do when spit builds up around your pads, giving you a "gurgling", spitty sound and you don't have time to take it apart and swab it out?
I don't recall ever having this problem on my old clarinet, but am experiencing it frequently on my new Ridenour...
Could it be the clarinet (the way the holes are drilled)? Or perhaps as I get older, I just have more hot air (hee hee)? :-)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-01 16:05
One thing you can do is to blow sharply in that hole. Simply hold the key or pad open, and a forceful blowing into it will clear the spit for a bit. Although this can be very noisy and probably wouldn't be good for a concert. Another thing people use is to stuff something inbetween the pad and the hole that will soak up the moisture. A corner of a piece of cigarette paper is a popular choice. I use a corner of my silk swab. You'll be surprised how much moisture is drawn out in this method.
As to what causes it? Mostly just prolonged playing. But other things too. Not so much the way the holes are drilled (although sometimes it IS a factor, but mostly the keys and holes are in around the same spot on each clarinet), but the mouthpiece you have, how much saliva you produce when you play, how long you've been playing, what kind of pads you have, a bunch of stuff.
Alexi
Retired, playing more sax than clarinet, but still playing clarinet and still loving it!
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Author: Laura
Date: 2004-03-01 18:32
Sharply blow in the spitty hole.
If the water keeps going to the same hole time and time again, then you should oil your clarinet. That way the spit trail will "erase" and will not keep going into the same hole.
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Author: cujo
Date: 2004-03-01 18:32
Cigarette paper works good. But there is cleaning paper you can buy it is thicker and stronger so it lasts longer Also it is made for cleaning pads and reeds so it has no chemicals.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-03-01 18:55
I've never tried this, but I once read here that you can put a dab of bore oil on a Q-tip and mark an inverted V right upstream of the tone hole. This can help divert water around the hole.
Obviously you can't do this in the heat of playing, but try it when you're able.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-01 19:55
Also it's said to draw a circle around the tone hole. So the saliva will be diverted around it (similar to the above post).
Or to draw a trail of oil in a path that you WANT the saliva to follow, and eventually, it will divert to that path every time.
Alexi
Retired, playing more sax than clarinet, but still playing clarinet and still loving it!
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2004-03-01 20:18
Since this is a hard rubber clarinet, I'm not sure oiling is the thing to do for it.
I would suggest talking with Tom. He's really helpful and always willing to be of service. I'm sure he wants you happy with your new clarinet
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2004-03-01 20:55
For cleaning, cigarette papers are good but avoid the glued end. Go to a hair salon and ask for a box of curler wrap papers (or some such name). These have no glue & work great.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2004-03-01 21:22
It could be the pads. I know my friend that plays on a pair of Selmer Signatures has a warm time with her A key pad (and others but less frequently) I assume since Selmer decided to make all of them white leather.
Bradley
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