 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Contragirl
Date: 2000-04-09 16:02
ok... I have a problem with moisture build up in my C#/G# key, and E-flat/B-Flat key, on my clarinet. I was wondering if there is a way to redirect the spit from building up or something. I hate playing Shostakovich with spittle noises.
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Author: beejay
Date: 2000-04-09 17:47
Don't we all?. I asked the same question a while back and was directed to earlier exchanges in the archives. One piece of advice was to paint a line with oil to direct moisture around the holes. I'm afraid, I could never figure out how to apply the oil, so I use cigarette papers to mop up.
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 2000-04-09 17:54
Unfortunately, there's no definite solution; I've used the trick of letting a drop of oil slide all the way down the bore, to create a path for the water to run down, and my keys still get clogged pretty often. Swab out as much as possible, and use cigarette paper, and hope--those are the only solutions I've found ;-)
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Author: Fred
Date: 2000-04-09 19:40
I've been told that those keys are the top candidates for cork pads, and that they lessen (but not eliminate) the problem. Any truth to that?
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Author: Aaron Hayden
Date: 2000-04-09 22:38
Cork pads will help. Do you have a plastic or wood clarinet? Did this always happen?
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Author: Alphie
Date: 2000-04-09 23:09
A friend of mine who is a repair-man, frequently cleans out the bore with alcohol and oil the inside after to prevent this problem. I don't know if you have to know anything more in addition to this so be careful. Alcohol can be hazardous in many ways.
(He didn't tell me if he used whiskey or brandy)
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Author: Amber
Date: 2000-04-10 01:17
I was always taught to clean out troublesome pads by closing them on a dollar bill and pulling it out (while it was still closed) to absorb the spit. This practically eliminated my problem, unless it was a long concert. Then I did it in between pieces. Do this before and after playing and it should help minimize this problem. (P.S. This also works really well for sticky pads!)
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Author: Rick2
Date: 2000-04-10 04:17
Run a piece of white thread down the bore of the clarinet until the end is inthe bell. Lay the thread onthe left side of the clarinet so it runs down the side with fewer tone holes. Make sure it gets to the side of the register tube. Trap the thread between the upper joint and the barrel.
As moisture collects, the thread will get heavier from being wet and gravity will pull ot to the bottom of the tube. The thread will guide the moisture down the tube. Once you get the hang of where to position the thread when you start you'll never gurgle again.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-04-10 17:25
Contragirl wrote:
-------------------------------
ok... I have a problem with moisture build up in my C#/G# key, and E-flat/B-Flat key, on my clarinet. I was wondering if there is a way to redirect the spit from building up or something. I hate playing Shostakovich with spittle noises.
Contragirl -
Doesn't happen on contra, does it? At least if you keep it vertical.
As it happens, there's a really good permanent post right here on Sneezy at <A HREF=http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/Study/WaterInTheHoles.html>http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/Study/WaterInTheHoles.html<A>.
Perhaps because I read the Willamann book (quoted in the posting) when I was coming up, I've always used his method, which is to take a pipe cleaner, bend the last 1/8 inch of it to the side, put a single drop of bore oil on the end of the bent part and "paint" a circle of oil in the bore around the tone hole.
Since water and oil don't mix, the oil will deflect any stream of water around the hole.
You want the oil to soak into or at least dry on the surface of the wood. Once again, since water and oil don't mix, you should swab the instrument out thoroughly and let it get completely dry (preferably overnight) before applying the oil.
Good luck. How's the switch to Bb coming along?
Ken Shaw
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