 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: crampy
Date: 2009-11-24 23:43
Hi. Would appreciate your advice.
When should you use the mouthpiece cap?
and is it ok to leave the clarinet assembled (with mpc removed) after playing - have a safe place to keep it on a stand.
Have only been playing a short while and have a beginner clarinet (Ycl 250) that came with a 4C mpc.
When I've finished playing I take the reed off, dry the mpc a bit and put it aside to finish air drying until next time. I put the clari back in its case (after swabbing) with lid open a bit so doesn't become stinky.
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Author: Nessie1
Date: 2009-11-25 09:14
I would say you should use your mouthpiece cap at any time when your mouthpiece or reed (if it's on the mouthpiece) might be at risk of damage, in other words at most times when it is unattended.
If you want to leave your clarinet on a stand then I should put the top on. You may think it's in a safe place but you'd be surprised how accidents do happen. The cap will not be totally air tight so some air for drying and ventilation will still get in.
You should also certainly put the cap on if you leave your clarinet unattended during a break in something like a band rehearsal. It would be very easy for someone passing by/fooling around etc to knock it and at the very least possibly spoil a prized reed.
In the case your mouthpiece might also move a little which, again, might knock a reed enough to chip or bend the tip, say.
Vanessa.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-11-25 11:19
I have a stand, but I never leave my clarinet on it, and certainly not with a $200 or $300 mouthpiece on top of it.
I leave the capnon the mouthpiece whenever the clarinet is assembled, and the instrument is not in my mourh, or likely to be within a few seconds.
Jeff
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-11-25 13:06
As Jeff said above, the cap should be on to protect the mouthpiece (don't worry about the reeds - those are expendable) whenever it's not in my mouth, or the clarinet is not in my hands.
If you want to put your mouthpiece aside, make sure it's in a stable place that won't be disturbed. A high shelf that might get shook is NOT a great place. I personally just put it all in the case. Haven't had problems yet. I just really clean the mouthpiece every few months or so.
As for leaving the clarinet assembled, if you do a search on this board, there have been a few threads about it. There are pros and cons to leaving it assembled. I can't remember specifics. I take mine apart each practice session. Only takes a minute (maybe) to put together for the next time.
Alexi
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-11-25 14:57
I would certainly use the cap anytime my clarinet is unattended. I also put it on during long rests to reduce the amount the reed dries, even if I'm still holding the clarinet - the cap isn't airtight, but does slow the drying process down so I don't find myself blowing at a dry reed at my next entrance. Of course, this has to be done very carefully - if you suddenly get butter-fingered and drop the cap during a quiet section, the attention might be more than you wanted. At the very least, to protect the mouthpiece you should have it capped anytime it's on a stand, stored in a case or being carried from one place to another (I wish I could convince my students of this).
IMO, you can leave the clarinet assembled between practice sessions (or during intermissions at rehearsals and concerts) if you prefer, but always check to be sure the corks are lubricated and move the pieces even if you don't take the clarinet apart. I occasionally leave mine assembled overnight, but there is a risk of compressing the corks and having the wood parts of the joints swell and bind up.
I wouldn't personally leave an instrument or even just a mouthpiece in a case that isn't latched shut. If someone (you, because you've forgotten it's open, or someone else who doesn't notice) picks up the open case and dumps the clarinet and/or mouthpiece as a result, bad things can result. The case won't get "stinky" if you close it and engage the latches. Just make sure you practice every day so you can open the case and air it out. :-)
Karl
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Author: William
Date: 2009-11-25 16:57
Two uses (for me, that is): 1) to keep the reed moist when the clarinet must be on a stand--usually during doubling situations; However, how that I play Forestone reeds, keeping them moist is not longer a problem and the cap is just added protection in case the clarinet gets accidentally knocked over. 2) to protect the mouthpiece while it is in the case. For this, I secure the ligature on a reed blank and then place the cap over it for storage--you could use an old reed.
You may also find it useful to throw at obnoxious conductors (LOL)
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-11-25 17:13
Something else I would add re: mouthpiece caps: Use a cap that is softer than the mouthpiece it is designed to protect. A metal cap can chip that expensive mouthpiece and ruin your whole month, especially if you don't have a backup mouthpiece. ![[whoa]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie10.gif) Use a plastic cap!
Another alternative is the mouthpiece pouch the Doctor sells on his website. It's cheap and offers added protection when the mouthpiece is not residing on the clarinet. I may be parpanoid, but when the mouthpiece is off my clarinet and in my case, it rests in a Doctor's mouthpiece pouch. one extra layer of soft protection never hurt anything.
http://www.doctorsprod.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=28 Well worth the 8 bucks, IMHO! Cheaper than replacing a prized Smith or Grabner mouthpiece.
Jeff
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-11-25 18:31
I can agree in theory with your warning about using a cap that's softer than your mouthpiece, but with two reservations: (1) many ligatures (e.g. the metal inverted Bonades I use) best fit with the cap (also metal) that's made for it. If I use a larger plastic cap, it'll be loose and fall off easily, especially when the mouthpiece is on its side in the case. (2) I've used metal caps (with metal ligatures) for many of the years I've played and never chipped a mouthpiece with one - it's a matter of how careful you are when you put the cap (and the ligature itself) on.
I have had the experience once of having the metal ligature actually damage a plastic cap. As a result of trying to push the cap firmly enough onto the ligature to make it hold, the metal where the cap sits on the top screw assembly cut into the corners of the window in the cap that goes around the screws.
I guess sometimes you can't win no matter what you do.
Karl
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-11-25 23:04
Well, I use a string ligature, so the part about a tight-fitting cap is fairly academic. When not using the string, I have an Eddie Daniels with its own custom plastic cap, so my bases are covered there, too.
Jeff
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Author: crampy
Date: 2009-11-26 07:09
Thank you everyone - I really appreciate your advice.
I didn't even consider putting the mpc in the cap in the case - I mean the case lining is kind of soft and fluffy. I just assumed the mpc would be fine as is (there's a little slot in the fluffy stuff where it goes).
Plastic cap came with the clari so will give it a try.
Otherwise I could put eyes & little paper ears on it, and a little tail.
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