The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2004-12-15 19:37
Without getting into all the details of why this happened, I left my clarinet in my car last night. The weather was about 24 degrees, really cold. I realized this morning that my clarinet was still in the car and kicked myself at least 30 times. Let's just say I didn't have a happy morning because of that.
When I drove to school I put the clarinet (which was freezing cold) in the front of my car where the heat was blowing. When I got to the school, I took out all the pieces individually and held them in my hands to give off body heat while blowing through them. This did warm my instrument up.
Does anyone think that any damage has been caused because of this event? I didn't play on it in extreme temperatures, only left it there accidently, so it was just sitting there inside the case. I also had a damp-it inside. Any ideas? Past experiences and results?
I just don't want my "baby' to be damaged... :(
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2004-12-15 19:53
Once, I ACCIDENTALLY (not) left my clarinet in the freezer. Absolutely nothing happened. I think I'll try it again soon.
No kidding!
Vytas Krass
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2004-12-15 20:04
If there is no obvious damage (like cracks) you probably didn't cause any harm.
Unless you had to play it right away when you arrived at school, it probably would have been safer to let it warm slowly instead of rushing it.
Sudden changes in temperature and moisture content are not a good idea.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2004-12-15 20:08
I would be most concerned about the effect of freeze-thaw on the pads, but at least they're easily replaced.
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Author: Painterspoon
Date: 2004-12-15 20:08
I was going to say the same thing....it's the sudden changes in temperature and moisture that do the most damage. If you haven't noticed anything by now, I'm sure your baby is okay!!
Melissa
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-12-15 21:01
Remember that it's the RATE OF CHANGE of temperature (or humidity) that really causes the damage, so if your clarinet has been left out in the cold for a long time, the important thing is to EASE it back up to temperature slowly --- the warming-up process should ideally take at least as long as it took to cool the instrument down in the first place. For instance, if you left the clarinet in the trunk of your car all night, then to warm it back up, leave it in a room-temperature room, with the case closed, for at maybe4-8 hours, then open the case and let the clarinet sit for more hours before you even attempt to blow a single puff of air through it. Chances are there'll be no damage at all if you do this.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-12-15 21:07
"I just don't want my "baby' to be damaged... :("
Hard to believe.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2004-12-16 00:15
David S.,
Very logical and good advice...but wait for my next 'freezer' story. You'll be surprised.
Vytas Krass
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
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Author: Fred
Date: 2004-12-16 03:22
Just remember that once an R13 is frozen and rethawed, you really have to cook it or throw it away. It can't be refrozen. Just another important holiday reminder for the kitchen.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-12-16 16:28
...or refreeze it to have distinctive and expensive toothpicks for your holiday table...
Allen Cole
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Author: VermontJM
Date: 2004-12-16 19:41
I did the EXACT same thing last winter- only the temp got to 20 BELOW. I could not even believe my eyes when I saw it there the next morning a 7am.
I brought it inside and didn't even BREATHE near it until about 4pm. I left it in the case AND bag. Hours later, I took the case out of the bad. At around 4pm, I opened the case and left it in room temp for another 3 hours- then I touched it and apologized and promised to never do that again. I think I oiled it that night too because in my mind it was the nicest thing I could do to apologize.
No cracks, no worries. Seems ok.
There was a quote here a while back that went :
"Some clarinets will crack no matter what you do, some will crack only if you do something stupid, and some will never crack no matter what you do..."
At least for now, I lucked out.
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Author: jjclarinet
Date: 2004-12-17 14:04
What did it do to your reeds? (did the ones you were playing earlier warp??)
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