 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Lisa
Date: 2008-03-09 23:53
The metal ring on the bottom of my bell is again very loose as it gets every winter with the dry air, to the point that several of my closed notes (low E/F, middle B/C) audibly rattle the loose ring. When I was in college years ago, the music majors used to talk about putting orange peels in side the bell while it's in the case to tighten up the loose ring. When I recently mentioned that at community band everyone laughed, so I guess it's not a widespread practice.
In lieu of a clarinet humidifier for the case, is there anything WRONG (or bad for the wood) with occasionally stuffing the bell with orange peels?
Thanks,
Lisa
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-03-10 00:00
I wouldn't think it is wrong. If it doesn't help, it at least leaves a pleasant smell. I think I've heard that citrus oil is good to repel reed moths, pad lice and cork worms.
In winter, after practicing I swab and let swab and clarinet dry only ~5 minutes, then I pack everything in. The remaining humidity will take care of the instrument. (I play every day, so I don't really fear mildew and the like)
--
Ben
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-03-10 01:30
Orange peel was a very common practice years ago because there wasn’t anything else to use for humidity. I suggest getting a Dampit and just letting it sit in the clarinet case. Just check it often to make sure it damp enough to do some good. You don’t have to keep in the clarinet, just in the case. I do it all winter and I’m a pro. ESP
www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2008-03-10 03:02
If you put an orange peel in your bell, my advice would be to put it inside a plastic bag with a few holes in it to avoid discoloring the inside of the bell. Also, plan to change it every day or two to avoid mold. In my experience it is remarkably effective, but unless you continue to use it for a fairly long period of time after the rings have tightened, they will become loose again when you stop the treatment. If you use a Dampit, as Ed says, put it in the case, not the instrument. I'd probably go with a small humistat instead of a Dampit because I personally don't like Dampits. A good repair tech can tighten your ring.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2008-03-10 08:56
Humistat all the way.
orange peels get forgotten, and mold will probably get onto your instrument if you don't clean it up.
but theres nothing for the mold to eat so it just sits idle until another orange comes in to be devoured.
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: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2008-03-10 11:40
I've found quite a few orange peel remains with old clarinets I buy at flea markets and yard sales. When someone puts a clarinet away damp, without planning never to play again, an orange peel or anything else containing natural sugars will exacerbate the damage from mold, mildew and insects. If the peel just slowly dries out and the owner opens the case every day to practice, I doubt there'd be much of a problem, unless the peel attracts bees, but if it's damp enough in there for the peel to rot over time--yuck. That smell could choke a goat, and the wood and case lining absorb the stench all too well. Yes, I mean the clarinet wood, too--it's simply a myth that the grenadilla is too dense to absorb odors.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2008-03-10 17:04
In my home this winter, I've been paranoiacly monitoring the humidity in the house and in my clarinet case. I've found that "clarinet" sized Dampits don't much increase the in-case humidity. Neither do (a pair of) Humistats. I've put one of the humistats into my brown sugar canister, where it seems to be working to keep the sugar soft and useable (couple of weeks, only).
At the suggestion of Ken Decker (oboe maker and crack repair genius), I've got two blocks of sponge in the case now. They are about 1-inch square and 2-inches long, cut from a kitchen dish sponge. I put them in small hardware parts bags cut down to be just a bit taller than the 1-inch height of the sponge. The bags keep the sponges from soaking the case lining. Being open at the top, they expose the 2-inch x 1-inch top of the sponge. I need only wet the sponges about once a week. I squeeze them flat under water, release them, return them to the holding bag and put them upright in the case.
They will increase the in-case humidity from about 35% to 50% (rarely to 60%).
When i pick up the case the bags keep the sponges from wetting the lining.
In comparison, orange peels smell better, but can't possibly provide the amount of moisture needed here.
Bob Phillips
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-03-10 17:21
Well, you'd have to eat an orange every day and in any case I wouldn't "stuff" the bell with them. I've been using my homemade "wet sponge in plastic vials" humidifiers but even they have to be checked often and the sponges changed as they become smelly. I line the top and bottom of the case with "Saran" to keep the case from absorbing the moisture. However, almost daily attention is still a good idea during winter in the Midwest. (Recently purchased humidity meters from Doc prove how hard it is to control humidity.)
Bob Draznik
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2008-03-10 18:08
Lisa,
First get a Hygrometer (it's about $7) and check the humidity level in your case.
I am not sure what is the optimal relative humidity level, but above 50% can lead to mold and that is not good.
My inclination is to try to keep the clarinet in its case between 35 and 45%, I have no scientific data. It just seems to be a reasonable range, below mold and above cracking danger zone, although I am really unsure of what really causes cracking.
If your clarinet has a loose ring at 35% humidity, I would consider getting the ring tightened by a technician, so this problem is gone for good. You can then decide for yourself what humidity level is optimal for you and use whatever toosl to bring the humidity to this level. As most have noted orange peels work, but are not the best.
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: Lisa
Date: 2008-03-10 22:49
Hi all,
Thanks for all the replies so far. Yes, I do play frequently and never have left the peels in for even a full 24 hours, so mold growth isn't a concern for me. I only add more if/when the ring gets loose again over time once the peels have sufficiently tightened it to the point that it won't move.
Should I really look into having the ring tightened even though I have no problems at all with it during the 3 warmer seasons? Will Dampits or Humistats actually tighten up my really loose bell ring (as they don't seem to affect Bob D's in-case humidity), realizing that's the only ring with the problem?
Thanks, as usual.
Lisa
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-03-10 23:21
If 2 humistats aren't enough humidity, make sure that it is set to the max level (more holes open). Also soak the humistat overnight with the top off before first using
it to prep it. They need that to soak the cotton so that it will release proper humidity.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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