 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Caihlen
Date: 2018-01-01 02:55
Hello. I have what I think is a legitimate question that I hope the vast experience and expertise here can answer for me. On weekdays I get home from work, practice, swab out my clarinet and I'm done. On weekends I tend to practice all through the day and leave my clarinet set up and ready to play. I swab it at the end of the day. Is there an inherent problem with this procedure?
Post Edited (2018-01-01 02:55)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2018-01-01 03:19
It isn't clear if when you "swab" your clarinet, you're also disassembling it and putting it away.
You'll get other opinions, but my own is that as long as you aren't leaving it assembled overnight, leaving it out for the day on weekends won't do harm and it makes it easier for you to pick it up and play it when you have a few minutes.
But, apart from whether or not you're disassembling it at night, you probably should swab it out more often than once at the end of the day. Water can accumulate in the tone holes enough to block air from coming out freely and cause gurgling sounds as you play. It's a little easier to prevent this by swabbing often than to blot the water out of a hole once plugged up.
Karl
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Author: LC007
Date: 2018-01-01 03:51
My practice sessions are around 90 minutes every day, all in one sitting. During that time I'll swab 3 or 4 times. I rotate my reeds at about every 20 minutes of playing, so when I'm changing reeds, getting a new one wet, I mop out the mouth piece and swab the horn (assembled). Otherwise I find their is just too much water accumulating and it affects my sound and playability.
You didn't mention if your horn is wood or plastic. If it is wood, I personally would not leave it sit wet all day. I would swab it after every use and then disassemble it, and do a good clean when done for the night.
Swabbing takes just a few seconds so for me there's no reason not to do it - often. My horn sounds best when it's well warmed up, freshly swabbed and with a fresh reed.
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2018-01-01 20:40
Another point to add is that there is frequently moisture in the tenons where the sections go together and it is a good idea to clean that out as well. I keep a small absorbent cloth in my case for that job so I don't get my swab so dirty. Personally I do not think it is a great idea to leave a wooden clarinet together for an extended amount of time, but I understand how convenient it is! Anyway, it is wonderful you are starting up playing. Have fun!
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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