The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ClariBone
Date: 2006-02-04 20:09
Hello
Well, its a Saturday, and after I practiced, I was thinking about mouthpieces. I know that it is strongly advised against swabbing out ones mouthpiece, and also correct me if I'm wrong, but leaving your saliva in there is also bad. So, why not use a feather like some of the oboe players?!?! Has anyone every tried this, or know of someone who has. I tried searching the archives, but I couldn't find any relevant info. Just a thought!!!
Thanks!!!
Clayton
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-02-04 20:22
Er...I do swab my mouthpiece (first I rinse it with hardly lukewarm water, then I swab it). I even saw that in an instructional video.
If it weren't so expensive I'd use compressed air (the one in cans is /not/ good as it is extremely cold) to dry it.
--
Ben
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-02-04 20:51
I wouldn't use a feather, not even on an oboe (and if I see any pheasant feathers in an oboe case I have in for repair I throw the buggers out!) - do you know where a feather has been?
They're (excuse the pun) FOUL! And the filaments come off and get stuck in toneholes.
A good quality cotton or silk pullthrough does a better job and can be cleaned.
And I use a pullthrough on my clarinet mouthpieces as well, but only going in from the tenon, not the other way round.
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-02-04 21:12
I use a Q-tip.
In fact, I used one this evening.
Not before time. Yuck.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2006-02-04 21:37
I realize that different repair techs have their own methods [and business practices, if they're "independent"]. Personally, I've never considered throwing someone else's stuff out, no matter how I may feel about it. I may express an opinion about what they use, but customers have every Right to use anything they want, including feathers, to maintain their instrument. A technician does not have a right to impose his or her opinions/practices on a customer. The tech, hired to do skilled labor, may educate and suggest to the customer that there is a better (convenient, economical, sanitary) way to do something but a hired technician has NO right to arbitrarily 'throw out' something that doesn't belong to them... regardless how noble you may feel about it.
- rn b -
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Author: Burt
Date: 2006-02-04 21:40
I don't swab my mouthpieces, except for metal sax MPs. I'm concerned about the wear on the opening. When I clean my MP, I use a Q-tip and warm water. Occasionally, I soak the MP in vinegar (upside down to keep the cork dry) to get the white stains off, rinse, then wipe with a Q-tip or a towel.
Burt Marks, Richardson TX
old Buffet (1956?), M30, Gonzalez FOF 3.5
1st clarinet, Richardson Community Band
tenor sax, Carrollton Wind Symphony
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-02-05 00:49
Swabs can have too much bulk or can be pulled through too quickly so that the tether (not feather!) will have a "sawing" effect on the tone chamber/rails. As long as you have a less bulky swab (silk is best), pull straight out, and pull relatively slowly, I don't have a problem.
.........Paul Aviles
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