 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: blazian
Date: 2008-02-03 13:14
Whenever I play, I always have spit dripping out of my bell after a warm-up and a bit of whatever I'm practicing. I avoid playing in places with hard floors because I actually leave a small puddle of spit. How can I play leaving less spit?
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-02-03 15:27
....or you can place a spitoon under your bell! The liquid that comes out is a combination of condensation and saliva. Suck a lemon to reduce saliva and don't play a clarinet that is at a lower temperature than your breath. Swallowing excess saliva works too.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2008-02-03 15:52
I beg your pardon, that is not spit! That is condensation! Brass players have spit valves, we have wet tone holes.
One of the last frontiers of clarinet technology --the technology (chemical or mechanical or both) to keep CONDENSATION out of the tone holes.
Bob Phillips
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-02-03 16:16
The distinguished player places a bar runner mat on the floor under the bell. Preferrably with the band's logo, of at least the band's favourite beer brand.
--
Ben
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2008-02-03 16:33
i think the question is this: what can you do to trick your mouth that your not eating something? Whenever anything goes in my mouth, my saliva glands automatically start well salivating, thinking that i'm eating something.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: jimk
Date: 2008-02-03 17:11
I've found that the answer for me is to warm-up, then swab, then I'm good to play for quite awhile without the embarrassing drips. Don't be surprised if you take some ribbing from the brass players about "Leaving so soon?" I suppose this confirms the idea that a lot of the moisture is condensation and a cold horn condenses more moisture than a warm one. If the group takes a break, I need to repeat the process - swab after warming up (and of course when I'm finished).
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Author: glassguy
Date: 2008-02-03 19:29
Hold the clarinet in an inclined position so the fluid runs back down into the mouthpiece instead of down onto the floor. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
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Author: Chalumeau Joe
Date: 2008-02-04 01:57
Yes, swabbing after warm up works for me. I wouldn't recommend sucking on a lemon, though. The acids would be too harmful to the pads.
I always brush my teeth before playing and I found that using regular mint-type toothpaste (Crest, Colgate, etc.) seems to encourage the production of runny, thick saliva. So, before my practices, I brush with a non-foaming toothpaste (the German salt toothpaste, Weleda*, is the brand I use). It leaves a much cleaner feel in the mouth and my mucous seems to be less abundant.
*available at health food stores and specialty stores, such as Whole Foods
(Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with any dental hygiene or mucous-modifying products.)
Post Edited (2008-02-04 02:31)
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Author: blazian
Date: 2008-02-04 02:52
Thanks for the replys! I can definitely swab out my clarinet after a warm up.
Unfortunately, I have band right AFTER lunch, and there's no chance to brush my teeth in between. Would mouthwash help?
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Author: Chalumeau Joe
Date: 2008-02-04 03:14
I'm sure it would help, but make sure you get one without "sodium lauryl sulfate." This is a foaming agent that's used in many toothpastes and shampoos. (Some people are even allergic to it, which leads to mouth irritations and exacerbates salivary production).)
I've used Jason's lines of mouthwashes; they're free of any kind of foaming agents and are also free of saccharin, dyes, etc., which may also act as irritants. I find the taste "cleaner" than the typical commercial stuff; it's different, so it may take a bit of getting used to.
Lastly, make sure you're not drinking/eating a lot of sugary foods prior to playing. Sugar helps promote saliva (and it also destroys your pads).
Good luck.
Post Edited (2008-02-04 03:26)
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Author: Clarinetcola
Date: 2008-02-04 10:24
reminds me of a few years ago when I wasn't so fluent in english yet. Our high school band visited a few high schools overseas. There was this particular concert that the seating plan was changed to accommodate an orchestral setting after a concert band setting. I was lucky enough to sit where a trombone(!) player was sitting before, leaving a big puddle of spit &or condensation. When the concert finished the violist(!) came to me and said something about the big puddle that he thought i made. I had no idea what he said because of my minimum english at that time and just nodded, smiled and said yeh!
Nathan
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2008-02-04 15:30
more seriously,
the symphony pros I know keep their swab at hand and run it through when ever there is a break --certainly between movements. One told me that the air was so warm at one of their outdoor concerts that "we didn't even need our swabs."
Their paranoia has infected me. I hate having gurgling noises --and side key Bb5s that don't speak --forcing a quick search for the LH sliver key.
Bob Phillips
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Author: clarinets1
Date: 2008-02-04 23:22
i've drooled on my clarinet while falling asleep during particularly boring band parts.
sorry, i also couldn't resist...
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2008-02-05 00:40
I end up just detaching the barrel every now and then. you'd be surprised how much saliva splatters out after 20 - 30 minutes from between the barrel and the upper joint.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: CrystalClear7
Date: 2008-02-10 01:13
My band director used to say that the liquid that comes out of your clarinet is like the moisture formed when you fog up a mirror. (condensation)
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Author: Chalumeau Joe
Date: 2008-02-10 02:11
I'm sure that most of it does come from condensation, especially early on in your session when your clarinet is still warming up. Condensation isn't something you really have any control over; however, make sure that you're not exacerbating the problem by eating saliva-producing foods (sucking on lemons, chewing gum, and such).
As I indicated in my earlier post, I found that brushing with salt toothpaste helped me. Of course, salt toothpaste encourages production of saliva...but it's "thinner" than what I produce when I use regular toothpaste containing foaming or irritating agents. At least for me, thinner, less viscous saliva runs through the clarinet faster and doesn't "gum up the works" as much.
In short, "spit happens"; swab frequently and avoid things that can make the problem worse.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-02-11 14:32
Sucking lemons may or may not lead to more bell exudate....which is the poster's primary concern. The very act of oral stimulation(as well as the anticipation) such as wettng one's reed and putting the mouthpiece in one's mouth results in salivation. I am not aware of any proof that sucking on a lemon either before or after reed wettng or insertion of the mouthpiece produces more salivation than abstaining from it. There is a side benefit of the citric acid in lemon juice in helping to keep one's reeds ,mouthpieces and bores clean by removing the plaque that deposits in those places. Salivation is a body function shared by all wind instrument players (accordion excluded) and swallowing is the usual partial cure.
Holding the clarinet with the bell elevated and the thumb hole open is an old clarinetist's "trick" allowing condensate to drain out the thumb hole. Resting the clarinet on a cloth covered knee is another(old clarinetist's trick).
Bob Draznik
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Author: runner
Date: 2008-02-12 00:29
I actually find the d..... problem while playing for an extended time on the flute. The "Badinere" is one in which this happens. I have no solution yet.
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Author: tristan
Date: 2008-02-17 14:44
Not directly clarinet-related, but this reminds me of something that happened in my wind orchestra a few years ago. One of the oboists was wearing a dress with a low-cut back, and since the stage was very small she was seated right in front of the trombones. At one point during the performance a trombonist lowered his bell... and she got a big load of trombonist-drool right down her back.
Thankfully, she was composed enough to keep playing.
Tristan Marshall
Amateur
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