 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2013-02-20 11:05
Because of a hectic work and travel schedule, I have found myself needing to leave my clarinets in less than ideal conditions to ensure that I can get to rehearsals and concerts on time and still fulfill my work commitments.
For example, I leave today for a business trip and will return tomorrow evening just before rehearsal. So, in order to make timing work, I am forced to leave my instruments in the car overnight at the airport during the very cold Chicago winter. This is the third or fourth time this has been the case in the past several months....so far, there has been no damage to my horns, but leaving expensive instruments in the car parked at the airport is just asking for trouble (i.e., having them stolen or cracked by temperature).
So, two questions....(1) how do others handle this kind of situation, and (2) if I invest in back-up horns (that are less expensive and less likely to crack if left in inclement weather), do you have any suggestions for brands/types of horns?
Thanks in advance for your insights!
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2013-02-20 15:05
I have a very small Noblet hardshell case that fits into my briefcase. It's barely big enough to hold a clarinet, a tube of cork grease, and a Reedgard. Into this very compact case I pack either:
1. A Bundy 1400 for "beer tent" outdoors gigs
2. A Ridenour RCP-576BC for concerts in less-than-ideal conditions
3. A fine wooden clarinet if the prevailing weather and performance hall considitions ensure that there's no worries about cracking it
That way, the clarinet is never left inside my car, and I always have my eye on it.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2013-02-20 15:50
Depending on how much you want to spend then one suggestion is the Buffet Greenline instruments (but you wouldn't really want to risk theft of that value) or alternatively any decent model of hard rubber instrument.
Hard rubber models often show up on that website, in UK frequently B&H models often used by the military, but in USA Tom Ridenour offers some instruments that seem to get good reports on this board.
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Author: Veldeb
Date: 2013-02-20 17:52
I have a B-12 for marching band that is my substitute for when my R-13 is in the shop... others have used it and like it. I got a good deal on it but went through 20 of them at the store before I found a really good one - I was surprised at the variation in quality - alternately, you can get a small traveling gig bag and just bring the horn with you on the trip (leaving everything else in your regular case) I have a buffet pouchette with a fleece cover for winter gigs.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-02-20 20:31
I have a plastic Conn "Henkin", which I use in less than ideal conditions and as a general back-up. It's one of the best student-level instruments I've come across. If I had to leave a clarinet in the car, that's the one I'd leave.
Tony F.
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Author: pplateau
Date: 2013-02-21 00:37
I have a plastic Yamaha YCL 250 "upgraded" with a 67mm synthetic barrel (Muncy) and had cork pads installed. Works fine.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-02-21 20:02
I use a Greenline for gigs that require a 'less than perfect conditions,' however I don't condone the idea of LEAVING a clarinet in 'less than perfect conditions' for extended periods of time. My rule on this is: if I would not be comfortable in "X" situation (being locked in the trunk of a car in the winter for several nights for instance) than neither would the clarinet.
Here is why. The clarinet is comprised of a collection of very disparate materials; metal, hard wood (or plastic, etc), soft wood (cork), lacquer (or glue) etc. All of these have differing properties that react, that is, contract and expand differently at different temperatures. Eventually (though you may not experience an immediate problem) cork bumpers may loosen and fall off, pads could loosen and fall out, posts could loosen (much harder to detect) and cause spring tension problems or key binding issues that are more difficult and costly to deal with.
Since you are allowed a carry-on and at least 2 personal items on most carriers, I'd just go ahead and be burdened with the horn sitting around with you rather than in the car. I've never had a TSA agent give me the slightest grief over a clarinet (as long as you leave the 6 inch long reed knives at home!). Who knows, you could even sneak in some scales during a bored moment at the hotel.
....................Paul Aviles
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2013-02-22 04:24
Thanks to all for their input and insights!
I'm going to go ahead and invest in some less expensive and more temperature resilient horns for the odd occasions that this might happen again. Unfortunately, I simply work and travel too much not to have a back-up plan, and the Chicago winters just too cold (and summers too hot!) to take chances with my good instruments.
I also like the suggestions regarding just taking the instrument with me, and will certainly consider how I might do it (without too much inconvenience added to the travel) in the future when necessary.
Thanks again!
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