 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Batman
Date: 2000-01-21 15:15
I recently had a crack develop in my Buffet R-13 clarinet, and I suspect that it is due to temperature and/or humidity changes. Does anyone have any suggestions for keeping the wood in relatively the same condition year round and safeguarding the instrument against temperature changes?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-01-21 15:34
We had a thread some time ago on this BB. Mark may recall it, or try searching here under the keywords such as humidifying, cracking etc. I'm sure others will chime in with suggestions, but yes, I humidify my woods particularly in winter when the outdoor RELATIVE Humidity may seem high, but the actual water content is low, and when this air enters the home, the R H falls very low and rings loosen and there is more danger of cracking!! Also static electricity is a bother and its telling you the indoor R H is low. Don
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Author: David Goss
Date: 2000-01-22 12:39
Here's a few tips that I have done with my clarinet of three years, no cracks.
-Try and minimize rapid and extreme temperature changes. Don't play it outside in the winter. Don't take it out in a cold room and immediately begin playing.
-Put the instrument together, place the barrel and upper joint in your armpit to warm it up slowly. (My private teacher stresses this a lot.)
-Swab the inside as well as wipe off an saliva that is in the joints.
You can try oiling it, but that will open another can of worms. Search the BB for oiling as well. Some people say oil often, others say once or twice a year, and others say never. I hope this provides some help.
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Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-01-22 14:42
I oil my clarinets, since they're all old, but I also try to keep the room humidity up to about 50% in winter, though I've never had a clarinet crack. I practice in an attic office that's separated enough from the rest of the house that our humidifier doesn't do much good in there. On days like today (11 degrees this morning), that attic used to become terribly dry, even though I can keep it reasonably warm with the central heating. My skin dried out and my clarinets don't play as well in a cool, dry enviroment as they do in humidity that's above 50%. When I put a small gargoyle fountain that recirculates water on a table near the heat register, the humidity improved a great deal in that room and I've noticed the clarinets play better, too.
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