 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2006-02-09 21:27
Well- the weather is cold and the heating's on full blast everywhere. The wood on some of my instruments has shrunk, causing some of the long rods to be too tight between the pivots, and the rings on the bell and barrel are loose. I tried putting a "dampit" into one case and it seems to have improved things. Maybe there's a cheap homemade version that I could put into all my other clarinet cases? (I've got quite a few)
Even more depressing is the effect of dryness on my reeds, especially in the orchestra pit where I play. Does it help to store the reeds in a more humid enclosed space? Or doesn't it matter, seeing that you play them in the same dry environment anyway? Any ideas/suggestions would be welcome!
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-02-09 21:43
I found out that the bedroom (heating usually off) has a better storage climate for my clarinet than the living room. Then I put the clarinet into the case right after swabbing (including the swab), the remaining humidity in the swab should ease up things additionally. I don't fear mildew and the like right now, as I use the clarinet every day.
For the reeds - tough one. As soon as you remove them from your humidor they're immediately dry anyway.
Tuck your reed case in the shirt pocket, under the sweater. Every bit helps.
--
Ben
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-02-10 00:08
Supposedly passed on from Moenig himself.......put orange peels in the clarinet case, when they dry out, cut another orange. This is cheap and lends a pleasant aroma to the whole clarinet playing experience.
And......no matter how fast they dry out, keep the reeds humidified (the condition that you want them in when they eventually get into your mouth). Also, try soaking in a water bottle just a little longer before placing on mouthpiece (I use a common prescription pill bottle).
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2006-02-10 00:11
Paul Aviles wrote:
> Supposedly passed on from Moenig himself.
Who was probably a kid when he heard it ... since the suggestion's been around a long time.
Watch out for mold on the peel if you decide to use it.
Me, I don't obsess about the humidity ...
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2006-02-10 03:59
In the winter, I have found that just putting the reeds in a ziplock bag helps with the moisture. I am having probs with the reeds drying out, causing the tip to curl, and reducing its effectiveness and life span.
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Author: ghuba
Date: 2006-02-10 14:09
A few months ago, humistats as a method for humidifying clarinets in their cases was raised in a long thread. I posted a note that I had been able to get the humidity within my cases up to about 45% or so, from the humidity of 20%--30% inside our house.
I received an offline suggestion that one look into room humidifiers.
My instruments are used and stored within an approximately 12-18 office (converted bedroom). I purchased a small humidifier at the local home supply megastore for about $50 (there were 3 or 4 models to choose from) which has a built-in hygrometer for measuring humidity and starting or stoppping the unit if the room humidity gets too high or too low. The unit can be set to achieve different levels of humidity before shutting off and it will restart when the humidity gets about 3-5% below the target level.
It is simple to keep the relative humidity in the room at about 50% with this quiet-running unit. The water is not heated (a fan blows over a coil) and the tank needs to be filled about once a week. The noise from the unit is about the same as you get with a computer fan.
The humidified room has also been quite good for my sinuses and the clothes I store in the office closet are never wrinkled!
George
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-02-10 17:15
THAT'S the solution - hooray for the humidifier !!!!!
............Paul Aviles
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-02-11 08:04
Liquorice wrote: "the rings on the bell and barrel are loose"
I wonder whether some oil would help. When I bought my Concerto a couple of years ago, the bell ring came loose after a few weeks, but a dab of oil on the wood made it go tight again.
I use oil from Anton Weinberg.
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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: Bassie
Date: 2006-02-13 07:35
I find most wrinkly reeds wake up again after playing for about ten minutes. Painful process, though.
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