Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2014-11-18 18:57
I recently saw a comedic video shot by a clarinetist, mocking clarinetists.
In it, one scene features 2 clarinetists sitting opposite one another at a cafeteria (table), instruments in hand, and having a discussion.
After about every other sentence of dialogue (but no clarinet play), either actor would pick up their clarinet out of mock habit, open the C#/G# key, and blow into it to clear any trapped moisture.
Perhaps that's humor only a clarinetist could love.
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That said, science, as most of us clarinetists know all too well, has demonstrated that water is a byproduct of respiration. I suspect there's no shortage of good advice here on how to deal with the problems such moisture causes, via things like preventative and periodic swabbing, the use of drops of oil near the flooded key vent, and of course, the aforementioned and mocked "vent blow."
My question regards whether there is anything we can do to reduce the moisture we put into the clarinet in the first place. I tend to swallow excess saliva before putting lips to mouthpiece, although this probably has little bearing on the moisture content of my breath.
Now far be it for me to suggest or seek methods of compromsing the respiratory process. In fact, I understand that many acute poisons such as cyanide work by inteferring with the respiratory process. Suffice it to say that a little annoying moisture in my instrument is (literally) not worth dying over.
So--anyone have techniques of reducing the moisture that goes into the instrument in the first place, barring of course a suggestion championed by my family of simply "playing less?" (ha, ha)
If I may beat those to the comedic punch: yes, taking cyanide would definitely reduce the issues I have with moisture in my clarinet. Homeopathic options only please.: - )
Thanks.
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