 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Eric T
Date: 2004-12-14 16:56
I live in Northeastern California, where it gets very cold in the winter. This time of year, I invariably have trouble with condensation in my clarinet--the instrument is quite a bit colder than the air I am blowing through it, and soon after I start playing, whether at home or in performance, I'm getting bubbly notes.
I recall a performance a year ago in the summer in a venue that was quite warm--probably 90 degrees Fahrenheit; when I went to swab the instrument out after 45 minutes of playing, there was not a drop of moisture anywhere past the mouthpiece...
So...wouldn't it make sense to have a heated case, to pre-warm the instrument, and thereby reduce the drippiness that invariably happens in the winter? The case could have an automobile plug, so that the instrument could be warming up on the way to the gig.
Surely someone has thought of this before? Would appreciate feedback.
Eric T
et
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-12-14 19:45
I used to keep my clarinet warm when I had a winter-time concert or recital coming up. I'd wrap the separated joints in a heating pad, warmed to a low setting that's only about body temp, put the wrapped parts in the case, and enclose the whole works in a small blanket or a large towel. That way the clarinet and case are both warmed to body temp. The case would keep the instrument warm while travelling. Then, when arriving at the recital location I wrap the joints again in the heating pad until shortly before it's time to play.
I agree with you - some enterprising person could invent a plug-in clarinet case that heats up just right. Or an extra thin blanket that could be wrapped around the inside of the case and plugged in - a cigarette lighter accessory?
The clarinet temp would affect your bubble-making problem, but keep in mind that clarinet maintenance affects that as well. There are some good posts that you could look up on this BB - a change in pad material, modest oiling, etc.
Men's suits and tuxes of course have lots of inside pockets where clarinet parts can be put to keep them warm. Your jacket would look lumpy for awhile but at least that reduces warm-up time. Women's clothing is usually devoid of any meaningful pockets, more than a little annoying when looking for a handy place to carry the swab, extra reed, and so forth while performing.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-12-14 20:27
You could build a small gerbil enclosure underneath the clarinet-supporting portion of the case --- assuming you take good care of the gerbil and it remains alive and healthy, its constant heat production should keep your clarinet warm. Plus, you'll have a new furry friend, for those 'bad audition days' when you're feeling down.
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-12-14 20:35
Keep the clarinet bell blocked off, just in case.
Wouldn't two gerbils make it warmer? and then there'd be more ... well ... warmth?
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2004-12-14 20:47
I'm curious as to why the clarinet is getting cold. Do you keep your house at a very low temperature or do you leave it in your car for extended periods? If it's a matter of transporting it a long distance in a cold environment, you could try wrapping the case in a blanket or other insulating material until you reach your destination so as to minimize heat loss.
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Author: dummer musiker
Date: 2004-12-14 21:09
Im just curious about what you consider very cold in NE California... :-)
"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats."
Post Edited (2004-12-14 23:42)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-12-14 22:03
Why wouldn't a sportsman's handwarmer work?
Bob Draznik
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2004-12-14 23:35
Have your ** bespoke tailor*** make compartments in your garments so that they can be carried with you at all times, which will keep them comfy.
Seville Row in London would be happy to jolly well oblige.
"On which side do you dress, sir?"
(too much seasonal frivolity??)
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-12-14 23:56
Hi,
I have been thinking about the posts above and wonder if you don't need to actually see what the ambient temperature is in your clarinet case before and after a specific length of time. I have a "fur-lined" case cover and my Selmer briefcase is pretty thick; I'm not too worried about an hour or so in the elements.
Draz, you're the metalurgist, how long would it take for the clarinet to become cold-soaked to a temperature of say 15 degrees less? Assume about 70 degrees room temperature and say freezing outside.
I'll bet it is a number of hours.
HRL
PS I guess you could just take a thermometer, place it in your case (empty of course) and stick it outside and see what happens.
Post Edited (2004-12-15 01:27)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-12-15 16:23
27 hrs, 32 min and 19sec ....assuming Buffet wood clarinet with germansilver keywork and nickel plating and that the owner had played "Stranger On the Shore" immediately prior to disassembly.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-12-15 16:33
For those who wonder why clarinets can get cold: It's not the transport that's the problem, since a padded case would keep the temperature relatively stable. Some of us don't live alone, and heating costs make husbands think that the house temperature should be 70 F. in the winter and 76 F. in the summer to save on air conditioning costs. Well, baby likes 76 F., but the 70 is a little low. Also, some performance halls are less than the ideal warmth. Actually though, keeping the temp low in the winter alieviates some of the extreme dryness that furnace heat causes. So, we deal with what we've got. We keep the baby in the warmest room, and make sure it gets its humidity levels maintained.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-12-15 16:49
Draz,
I knew that it would be hours but your specificity is amazing! Ah, the scientific process.
HRL
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Author: Eric T
Date: 2004-12-15 17:07
Thanks for all the responses--to answer the question of "how cold?", we just emerged from a two-week period when the temp did not go above 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
The extra inside pockets sound intriguing. Don't know if I'm ready for gerbils yet. I think what I'm going to try today (a performance day) is to put the clarinet case on top of a hot water bottle, and a down jacket over everything.
Thanks for all of the input.
Eric
et
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Author: ebasta
Date: 2004-12-15 22:42
sounds like a good project for NiMH batteries and a few resistors. a 4.5Ah D cell and a 4.7 ohm 1w resistor inserted in the upper and/or lower key section should put out .3w and last for 24 hrs. (at least mathematically). i don't know how warm that'll keep the horn, depending on and ambient temp, insulation of the case, and starting temp. too bad elementary electronics isn't publishing anymore.
ed
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