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Re: How do you solve water problem?

Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2008-03-08 16:18

As I've complained (whined) before, tone hole water avoidance should be the next frontier of technical improvements in clarinetting. The trill key, G#/C#, etc problem is universal.

I think I'm getting benefit from the warm-up and swab protocol mentioned earlier in this thread. Swab paranoicly --mumble something to the audience between movements as you flamboyantly fling your bright silk swab through the bore.

I've tried and tried to find the magic repellent that will keep water out of the G#/C# tone hole (By the way, one piece Rossis with the G#/C# on top of the bore, as well as my articulated G#/C# full Boehm, are not immune to the problem). I found that an English hard wood finishing wax helps, but rubs off with swabbing in just a few days --and the G#/C# tone hole is the only one on the horn that is "easy" to reach with a wax applicator.

Is it true that the Buffet Tosca has an insert in the C#/G# tone hole (like the thumb hole) in an effort to get the condensation to run around the tone hole?

OH, and it has been my experience that the principal flutist most deserves to become the depository for excess water. S/he's earned that right.

OH, and the Imani winds clarinetist both at our "jam" session and during their concert here this week showed high level expertise in blowing out her tone holes --and she does even that with perfect embouchure.

Bob Phillips

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How do you solve water problem? new

2008-03-07 19:51