 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2012-02-15 23:47
So, now that my clarinet is pinned and all fixed, I'm taking any measures to stop it from opening yet again!
Unfortunately, I am suspicious that my Marcus Bonna case could have been the root of the cracking problems... When my semester began in mid January, I noticed that even 5-minute walks across campus in mildly cold weather were making my clarinet cold. I should have been smarter about it and let it warm up to room temperature, but I usually had to play right after the walks across campus. I talked to my repair guy about it, and he agreed that it's possible that getting too cold and then being played on right away could have made the wood unstable and caused it to crack. I have notified both Marcus Bonna and the person who I purchased the case through, and I have received no reactions to my suspicions... therefore, I'm guessing I'll be stuck with the case. Is there anything that I can do to keep the temperature more stable within the case? Would wrapping the joints in microfiber cloths (like, silver polishing cloths) help? I keep 2 Humistat humidifiers in the case already. Would Damp-its work better?
Has anyone else ever had this problem with Marcus Bonna cases? I know he's better known in the brass world for his cases, but brass instruments unfortunately don't crack.
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-02-16 00:13
A dampit will help so the wood doesn't get dry. As far as more insulation maybe you could place the entire case in a back pack or other type of case that has more insulation in it, that's what I do. The cold by itself won't cause it to crack but you do need to let it sit out for a few minutes before you play it. It should not get so cold in only 5 minutes unless it's well below freezing. ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2012-02-16 01:47
Name your price and I'll buy your Bona case!
I was telling someone just the other day that having a clarinet is like mothering a baby: I preheat my car before traveling with my clarinet, I take it into the store with me if I have to make a stop on the way home, and I make sure its "coat" (case cover) is zipped up.
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2012-02-16 02:04
The case is my most favorite color of purple of all time... I don't know if I can part with it! I think I just need a remedy. Perhaps wrapping the joints in polishing cloths could help keep moisture and heat in the joints...?
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-02-16 03:12
I have a cover over the clarinet case. Google soft clarinet covers. RDG has some that look pretty good. This is where I picked up mine. It should fit most cases, single or double cases. Price range is around $50 up to $200.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-02-16 08:46
Insulation around an inanimate object shouldn't make much difference (we generate heat so it helps to wear a down coat!) - keep the Bona. If you hold the clarinet, one piece at time in your hands (and blowing into one end once or twice) you can warm up the pieces fairly quickly. You just don't want any part to be frigid to the touch as you play with everything put together (that would be an intonation nightmare as well).
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Campana
Date: 2012-02-16 10:36
While wood may crack if allowed to dry out I would think that uncontrolled adding of moisture is equally bad. Wood likes stability and responds badly to fluctating between extremes. Heated halls and rooms in winter have very dry air, lots of "drying" in it. So the clarinet spends it's time from having moisture added to it and moisture being removed from it. This is inevitable, but if an unnecessarily large amount of moisture is added (enclosed in a box with 2 humistat humidifiers) it increases the extremes of the fluctations.
It may be helpful to buy a hygrometer and keep the humidity inside the case at an optimum level rather than possibly just adding moisture, needed or not.
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Author: BflatNH
Date: 2012-02-16 11:38
I've had the same concerns for sub-zero transit and found that the fabric stores sell insulated and layered material for use in outerwear that I gave to a friend to make super-insulated case carry bag. Take a sample and put a thermometer inside and see how your temperature drops, and you could make it as thick as you need.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2012-02-16 22:47
I would not recommend blowing into the joints to warm them up, certainly not before the external wood has been warmed up.
It's the differential expansion caused by warm moist bore trying to expand and cold rigid exterior that doesn't want to move that is a major factor in cracking.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2012-02-17 07:08
How about a real sheepskin case cover? Eider duck down is also a great natural insulator.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-02-17 10:49
Dear Norman,
I must clarify that if you do small amounts in just ONE joint at a time, blowing into the horn this way is NOT the sort of constant heat source that it is when playing. One way or the other, the body of the horn (and keys) need to become closer to parity with the inside ambient temperature BEFORE PLAYING....which is where you find trouble.
The reverse is true as well (???).
I was at a winter concert near an outside service door that was thrust open just minutes after the final note. Frigid wind blew across the band accompanied by a loud 'POP' from the clarinet section......which was the sound of one of us loosing his upper joint.
And as for all the insulation talk here, has anyone used a thermometer in insulated versus non insulated cases to come up with an answer? Just as a thought experiment I can't see that the limited 'atmosphere' in the case as you close it indoors would be sufficient to maintain any reasonable 'heat' such as you would hot soup in a thermos. And a lamb skin case cover is not a thermos either.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2012-02-18 01:49
I'm with Paul on this one. It doesn't make sense. Thecase and the clarinet generate no heat of their own to keep in the confines of the case, with or without insulation. The problem was that he clarinet was cold, and you blew very warm air into it. Every manufacturer of wood clarinets that I have ever seen cautions against this.
My daughghter is attending a school on the west side of Michigan and she is also subject to very cold seasonal weather. However, she generally keeps her instruments locked up in a storage locker in the music building. Her Bb has stood the test of time since I bought it for myself back in the early 1970s. The A clarinet is only about 5 or 6 years old,but is surviving rather nicely. She never plays an ice-cold clarinet. She always lets it warm up first, even if that just means holding the individual joints between her arm and her body for a couple of minutes before playing
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2012-02-18 01:50)
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2012-02-18 01:53
I think you are completely right. I think I've definitely learned a lesson here. Wrapping the joints in cloths is helping a lot. I will definitely take Paul & Jeff's advice! Thanks so much for all the info everyone.
Unfortunately, the person I got the case through told me that the case is not designed to insulate, only to be comfortable and lightweight. If only she had told me that before I bought it... urgh.
Therefore... if you are in an area that is subject to extreme temperatures... DO NOT BUY THIS CASE!!!!!!!
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: gwie
Date: 2012-02-18 01:56
Well, the clarinet won't generate heat on its own, but sufficient insulation should reduce the speed at which the temperature changes, which is really the problem here, right?
Speaking also as a violinist here...my violin doesn't really have issues (except tuning) in hot or cold venues, but the problem is subjecting the instrument to the stress of dramatic temperature and/or humidity changes over a short time period. I have a special insulated case with a waterproof external shell for travelling...
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Author: The_Clarinetist
Date: 2012-05-05 20:46
OT, I know, but has anyone tried to put a basset clarinet (in A) into the marcus bonna double clarinet case? Or is the lower basset joint too long to fit? It should at least be possible, yet impractical, if it is placed diagonally...
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-05-06 08:35
I don't think you can blame the case manufacturer. iThe case is designed to protect the instrument against physical damage, not temperature change. If the case is at room temperature before you take it to wherever, consider wrapping it in something like a mylar survival blanket inside a larger carry bag of some sort. These are very efficient at preserving heat, and while it won't stop your clarinet from ultimately getting cold it will considerably slow down the process. I've used this technique on photographic equipment with success. Ensure that any folds are at the bottom of the package and that the top is unbroken mylar, this will slow the loss of room temperature air. Wrapping the clarinet in cloth won't help keep it warm, but as by doing it you're adding room temperature mass to the package, it may slow down the cooling process a little.
Tony F.
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Author: Campana
Date: 2012-05-06 08:53
The best source of continuing warmth is your body. You could make 2 joint bags, a pair of mens socks would do, join them with about 18" of tape. suspend it around your neck complete with joints before putting your parka on.
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Author: JHowell
Date: 2012-05-06 13:27
When I was in school, and before I had a double case, I'd carry my single case under my coat for trips across campus. Now, in winter I make sure that I arrive at a venue with time for the instrument to sit and warm up, or warm the upper joint and barrel under an arm before playing. Insulation isn't a bad idea, but will only go so far.
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Author: Merlin_Williams
Date: 2012-05-06 14:45
Did you specify you wanted good insulation, or were you so excited by the purple case you forgot to ask questions?
"I think you are completely right. I think I've definitely learned a lesson here. Wrapping the joints in cloths is helping a lot. I will definitely take Paul & Jeff's advice! Thanks so much for all the info everyone.
Unfortunately, the person I got the case through told me that the case is not designed to insulate, only to be comfortable and lightweight. If only she had told me that before I bought it... urgh.
Therefore... if you are in an area that is subject to extreme temperatures... DO NOT BUY THIS CASE!!!!!!!
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance"
Jupiter Canada Artist/Clinician
Stratford Shakespeare Festival musician
Woodwind Doubling Channel Creator on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/WoodwindDoubling
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2012-05-06 15:13
I actually got some fleece and made little socks for the joints... it works great. It turned out that the case's lack of insulation had very little to do with my clarinet cracking... I assumed that because the cases are so expensive, they are also very insulated. I guess I shouldn't have assumed.
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: sowilson
Date: 2012-05-06 16:20
Guitar players and other string players have been successfully dealing with this for years. During the winter keep your instrument in its case when not in use, use a dampit, don't leave your instrument in a car, and leave it in it's case to warm up when you get to your destination. Insulated case covers will slow the cooling process down.
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2012-05-06 16:26
I wonder if anyone has tried sticking a handwarmer in the case - either disposable (chemical), or zippo lighter fluid, or boil-it first. Just a thought.
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Author: sowilson
Date: 2012-05-06 17:53
A couple of the disposables would probably work, inserted between the case and a case cover. I wouldn't use the fuel fired hand warmers.
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2012-05-07 07:08
I had the same concern this winter even though it was an extremely mild winter. There is no doubt that when you switch from a Bam Case which has all that foam insulating and a more fragile case as the Bonna.
I used to throw my Bam Case around like no one's business. I treat this Bonna case with as much care as my clarinets. It is is smaller and more functional than any other case on the market.
Also some clarinets simply just crack. The wood is simply not as high quality and aged as long as it used to be. This is especially true of clarinets that Buffet makes. I don't think any cloth would really help insulate like it would on a living person. We generate our warmth which is then kept in by our coats and such.
Thanks for bringing up this concern though. There is no way in hell that I'd bring my clarinets outside during a cold spell like we had in Chicago three years ago when it was 20 below.
Perhaps I'll nerd out and have someone in the city design a case cover that has a battery powered electrical blanket built into it to keep the case warm. Better yet maybe I just won't leave my house.
I've seen a few posts from you about your clarinet cracking. I'm really sorry that it happened to you. I was devastated when it happened to me a few years back.
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2012-05-07 20:48
Thanks James. Looking back on it, I'm just glad the crack didn't make the clarinet completely unplayable!
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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