The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Humidity

Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2017-10-12 20:26

Before you humidify the case, you might consider what might happen if you open the case in an environment whose humidity differs greatly from that in the case: Stress.

The greater the difference, the greater the shock to the wood.

(Talk to some woodworkers and clarinet builders about this. There's a reason why they take lots of time to let their wood stabilize before they work on it, and why naturally dried wood is preferable to kiln dried.)

Personally, after nearly sixty years of playing and owning dozens of clarinets, I've never bothered messing with case humidifiers, and never had a crack, and I know few pro-level players who mess with this.

As for reeds, humidifying might make it easier to start playing quicker, but your reeds will come up to the humidity of your breath within a few minutes of playing anyway. The only situation in which you might see an advantage is if you have to set the clarinet aside for long periods during a performance and you have the time to put your reed in a humidified reed case and attach it to the clarinet when you need it later.

B.

Post Edited (2017-10-12 20:32)

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics