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Re: Clarinets and Bleach

Author: Tobin
Date: 2009-02-13 19:23

Hello George,

This issue that you're speaking of can be readily solved by having your own mouthpiece/reed on hand. You take their mouthpiece off, swab out the moisture in the barrel joint, and then play their horn.

I also teach extensively in the schools on top of my studio. Yes, I do play my students instruments in the manner I describe above. If further testing is necessary I may let them play my instrument in the same way.

I have never passed nor received an illness from any of my students.

I would never play another's mouthpiece without cleaning it with warm soapy water, and I would never play their reed at all. It doesn't make sense to do so either: their mouthpiece/reed combo might not be the best for me...better by far to use what I know to determine the issue.

Your initial question didn't provide any background for what you were asking. It could easily be inferred that you were talking about your own instrument.

Regardless it is, IMO and experience, overkill. I do not believe the germs that are blown into the clarinet (along with the condensation that is generated) creates that great of a petri dish, especially if the student is taking proper care of their instrument. Also, so what if you blow a germ down in their instrument...how is it supposed to get to them? As long as they swab frequently and CLEAN the swab frequently there is no health issue.

As Ken's post explains, there are a host of germs that are necessary to survival. I find that, generally, those who are most germaphobic have created a life where they are more susceptible to illness by not providing their systems a healthy opportunity to develop.

James

Gnothi Seauton

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