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Re: How to clean a mouthpiece

Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2006-08-22 01:14

(Disclaimer - I sell a mouthpiece cleaner)
This may be an old and tired explanation for many BB'ders. Accumulations on mouthpieces are generally of two types - the inorganic mineral deposits on the outside and inside most commonly noticed as white or brown and the miniscule food particles inside the mouthpiece. Some people are more prone to forming these deposits because of their saliva content than others.

Rinsing out a mouthpiece after every use with cool water, and not eating shortly before playing are good practices that cut down on build up. It sounds as if many practice good cleaning techniques but those on the fringes - including many professionals do not. Playing a show-bar gig where you are hot (which concentrates saliva) and get a band break at 12:00 A.M. and are hungry for a small nosh and finishing at 2:00 A.M. does not lead to cleaning anything thoroughly - -- just sleep.

I do not put any object in my mouthpiece to clean it (just my mantra) Will a silk swab wear away the window or rails ? ... probably not for a long time. Food dried in the MP or mineral deposits dried on and in the mouthpiece may become pretty immune to swabbing after a while however. Many mineral deposits can be removed by soaking in a 50% acetic acid (white vinegar is good) solution for 15 min. now and again - some use lemon juice (citric acid) - but this only removes calcium carbonate and not all mineral deposits. Some mineral deposits need a more strong chemical or physical removal (a soft toothbrush works sometimes) if they are allowed to build up over time. Stronger treatments may damage hard rubber so be careful.

My experience from giving free mouthpiece cleaning clinics at ClarinetFests over the years is that many players are not good about keeping deposits and organic build up inside their MP at bay. The dried food particles soften to some extent with playing and become an ideal breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacterial growth. If your mouthpiece smells (other than an old sulphur smell from some vintage mouthpieces) you may have this incubator going in your MP.

Routinely cleaning with soapy water and rinsing after playing are good preventative measures. Physical removal with a swab or fingernail around you MP patch helps too. Some people who are "depositors" may need some extra cleaning help.
L. Omar Henderson

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How to clean a mouthpiece new

EuGeneSee

2006-08-21 16:50