 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BassClarinetBaby
Date: 2011-03-08 13:26
I have just ordered my very first wooden clarinet and am eagerly anticipating its arrival! I purchased a Buffet R13 after playing on a B12 for the past 7 years. I am just out of high school and hoping to study music at university next year. As this is my first wooden clarinet, I just wanted to make sure I learn everything about proper care. Is there anything important I should know? And do you recommend breaking in a wooden clarinet gruadually? Thanks.
Never Bb, sometimes B#, and always B natural! ♫♪
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Author: PrincessJ
Date: 2011-03-08 14:04
It is over the top a wee but it is better to be safe than sorry. I take a paper towel (separate from my swab cloth) and use that to absorb the moisture from the tenon sockets.
I use a "que tip" to get any extra cork grease off the tenons (grease build up), and I oil the tenon sockets and tenons more frequently than I do the bore.
Never over-oil a wooden clarinet.
I oil the tenon sockets every month, lightly, put a drip on a little piece of cloth and swish it around in the socket. Those sockets get the worst of the moisture for me.
I swab my Bb and A clarinets as I play, every 30 minutes, every 15 if it's just practice. The bass doesn't need as much.
Also, don't oil them in the winter. Oil helps the wood to absorb less moisture, and that's not what you want then the heater dries everything out. You want to gently humidify it if the winter dries things out. Don't do the orange peel thing, trust me on this one. There are better ways to keep the wood moist in the winter.
And last but not least, I hope you enjoy your new clarinet, and I'm positive you will. All that maintenance is well worth it!
-Jenn
Circa 1940s Zebra Pan Am
1972 Noblet Paris 27
Leblanc Bliss 210
1928 Selmer Full Boehm in A
Amateur tech, amateur clarinetist, looking to learn!
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-03-08 17:43
You don't really have to over do it. I own five different clarinets and never had a crack in my life and I've been playing a long time. Some repair people suggest oiling the clarinet bore but others say it isn't necessary. I don't think it hurts it but don't over do it, especially when it's new, it's already been treated. Make sure you cover all the closed pads with paper if you do so the closed pads don't get oil on them.
As far as breaking in, it's probably is a good idea to do it gradually, half hour a day the first few weeks, then 45 minutes then an hour till a month or two. Be more careful in the winter because you don't want to take it in the cold when it's warm. If ever it is very cold just let it sit out for a while to get close to room temperature. I suggest using a dampit, a middle size not the very thin one, in your case to keep moister in there in the winter. Don't keep it in the bore, just where ever it fits and keep it moist every few days. You could use some other type of spongy thing if you want. Other than that, common sense. Of course swab it out, make sure the pads are dry, dry the sockets before you put it away, grease the joints so you don't stress the joints when putting it together or taking it apart. Don't keep it near a heater, don't keep it in the trunk of your car in the winter etc. You don't have to over do anything, just common sense. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2011-03-09 19:53
One point not often noted is that the toneholes present endgrain in the same way as the inner bore-end of the tenon and socket.
It's not uncommon for quite a lot of water to collect in the topmost toneholes, especially the upper side trill keys and the A and Ab keys.
A good practice after swabbing out is the close the lower end of top joint with your R hand, and close the finger holes as in playing then blow into the bore and open the various keys one at a time. This creates a firm stream of air through each tonehole and forces out any excess moisture therein.
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Author: BassClarinetBaby
Date: 2011-03-10 03:15
It's here! It's here!
Only unfortunately I'm stuck at work, just itching to get my hands on it and try it out. Too bad that won't be until 9pm tonight :(
Never Bb, sometimes B#, and always B natural! ♫♪
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