 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chamberguy
Date: 2017-03-02 23:05
Is there a method for removing the chalky deposits on the part of my clarinet mouthpiece that go into my mouth? I have tried to simply brush them off with a toothbrush, or scrape them off with my fingernail, but neither works. Is returning the mouthpiece to its original all-black sheen even a reasonable thing to try?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2017-03-02 23:52
Clean the mineral residue by soaking the mouthpiece beak in vinegar or lemon juice. I use vinegar full strength and have never damaged a mouthpiece with it, though many people will insist it needs to be diluted.
I carefully put the mouthpiece tip down in a shot glass, then pour in plain white vinegar until the deposits are covered. Let it soak that way for 15 or 20 minutes, though I've often gone on to do something else and forgotten about it for a couple of hours with no harm. Then rinse it in cool water and you're good to go.
As far as restoring the original black sheen is concerned, that's harder. You're dealing with oxidized rubber. I've been told it's possible to use a buffing polish with a cloth wheel, but I've never tried it. Too much possibility of damaging the rails to be worthwhile.
Karl
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Author: TomS
Date: 2017-03-03 00:41
Brad Behn recommends lemon juice soak and rise in water. He has info on his site ...
Tom
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Author: kdk
Date: 2017-03-03 02:13
Glenn,
white vinegar - <$4.00/gallon (about 256 treatments)
Realemon - $4.97/qt (you could dilute it to produce at least 128 treatments)
Doctor's Mouthpiece Cleaner - $4.75/9 treatments
I like Omar's products for some things, but I miss the point of this one.
Karl
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Author: GBK
Date: 2017-03-03 02:26
I've personally never used Omar's mouthpiece cleaner, but knowing Omar, I'm sure a lot of testing went into its development.
The few times I had to clean a student's mouthpiece, I've let it soak for 10 minutes in straight lemon juice, and it made a big difference.
...GBK
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Author: chamberguy
Date: 2017-03-06 03:33
Thank you all. I have tried the vinegar method and it seemed to work, but not completely. After the 15 minutes, and rinse, I found that there were still white or grey places left there, which could be partially scraped off with my fingernail. But bow I am trying a second treatment, and hope that it will get rid of all of it. I am also learning not to obsess over all this!
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Author: kdk
Date: 2017-03-06 04:15
Leave it in the vinegar longer. If the minerals are really heavily established, it may take longer to dissolve.
Karl
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2017-03-06 05:39
I've used the Doctor's Product several times. I always use it on new mouthpieces and whenever mine seem grungy. It's simple to use, inexpensive, and effective. Pick up some of his cork grease as well! Both GREAT products.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2017-03-06 06:30
I use neat lemon juice. It seems to do a better job than vinegar and it tastes better. Never had a problem with it.
Tony F.
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Author: The Doctor ★2017
Date: 2017-03-06 18:04
(Disclaimer - I sell a mouthpiece cleaner)
Most of the accumulation on mouthpieces is Calcium Carbonate which can be dissolved by weak acids like lemon juice (citric acid) or vinegar (acetic acid) but some are other mineral salts that are found in saliva are not dissolved by either weak acid. These other accumulations must be gently attacked by other cleaning chemicals. Rinsing your mouthpiece out with cool water after playing will not allow either type of deposit to accumulate. Crusted mouthpieces must be treated a couple of times with my cleaner or weak acids and a soft toothbrush will finish the job of removing the crust.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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