 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: michael13162
Date: 2013-02-26 03:06
I recently bought an expensive mouthpiece and was told to take off the piece before swabbing. I've been following those instructions for about half a month now and the inside of the mouthpiece has started growing some sort of yellowish goo. It's pretty easy to wash away, but I can't reach into the very middle of it from the tip nor the bottom so it's not being thoroughly cleaned. Should I continue taking off the mouthpiece before swabbing or should I just swab it along with the rest of the clarinet?
I don't want to damage it at all, but the dirt accumulating inside isn't very pleasing...
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2013-02-26 03:43
Search for that subject using the Search function on this BBD.
This is another topic that's been beaten to death! :-)
B.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2013-02-26 22:46
Just buy a mouthpiece brush and clean out the mouthpiece in luke warm water plus washing liquid every few weeks.
Do not pull through unless you want to risk damage
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-02-26 23:24
I couldn't stop thinking of this post after reading it. I have never had any accumulation of anything in the mouthpiece over time. However I was forced to recall taking home a high school instrument that had a mouthpiece so incredibly caked with yellow gunk on the inside that there was barely an opening through the bore.
My first thought is that this may indicate more mucous in the saliva than what one might find typically. I don't know if this may be a tell regarding some less than desirable technique or physical condition but I'd just thought I'd throw that out there.
As for swabbing, as long as you swab the mouthpiece by itself using a silk swab or just take care not to rush whatever you do use, and back it out if there is the slightest bit of tightness, there should be no problem using a swab.
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: Ed
Date: 2013-02-26 23:40
Use a soft cloth or swab to wipe the mouthpiece after playing. Some suggest being careful so as not to pull over the tip for fear of wear. Be gently and careful and there should be no issues.
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Author: michael13162
Date: 2013-02-27 03:41
Sorry about the repost bmcgar Here's a pretty detailed conversation on this topic: http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=242517&t=242059
And Paul, besides a couple extra pounds, I don't see anything special that differentiates me from the average clarinetist ;/ Ugh, "a mouthpiece so incredibly caked with yellow gunk on the inside that there was barely an opening through the bore", thanks for that imagery...
I use one of those black legend swabs that Mr. Henderson sells. I have noticed in that couple times I used it on the mouthpiece itself, it did leave some sort of mark on the baffle area. I think it was mainly taking away some of the yellow gunk though and not the actual baffle.
Inspecting the mouthpiece now, there is a noticeable yellowish tint where my finger couldn't reach down into during the cleaning. I'll take a picture and post it here after a week or so of not cleaning it.
Does anyone know if there is a difference with different blanks? My old M13 developed this exact same symptom but much less drastically. My new mouthpiece is a Zinner blank; mayhap that has something to do with it?
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Author: donald
Date: 2013-02-27 05:35
Do you clean your teeth and floss regularly? Do you rinse your mouth out with water after drinking milk? Do you eat junk food (crackers, chips/crisps, various chip like stuff, anything from a fast food chain) and then play the clarinet before you have cleaned your teeth?
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Author: michael13162
Date: 2013-02-27 05:38
I brush twice a day and floss once everyday consistently and rinse my mouth always regardless of food before I start playing.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-02-27 06:03
Buy one of those small travellers toothpaste/toothbrush kits. The small brush is just about right for cleaning the inside of a mouthpiece. I've used one for years. Being soft plastic it doesn't damage the mouthpiece. I also swab mine with a silk swab. Never damaged one that way yet.
Tony F.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-02-27 13:37
I do still think there may be more physiological stuff. Perhaps some form of grunting (glottal) stops or starts to notes that shouldn't be there.
I for one have not been of the mind to brush before playing. In fact I may even have a sandwich and a coke in between measures. Just saying that having "stuff" in your mouth doesn't automatically put it down your bore.
.....................Paul Aviles
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-02-27 14:30
The real problem is that any food particles which find their way into the instrument provide an excellent breeding ground for all sorts of nasties, be they yeasts, fungi or the byproducts of putrescence. As for coke, I've lost count of the number of school instruments that have come to me with sticking pads caused by the sugar from soft drinks.
Tony F.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2013-02-27 17:13
Since you are already familiar with he Doctor's Products, why not get one of his mouthpiece cleaning kits?
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 (2013-02-27 17:13)
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