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: hunidity (spit?) while playing

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2018-01-03 20:48

Is it me spitting - NO, NO, NO!!! It's usually condensation. Hot moist air from your mouth similar to exhaling on to a mirror and fogging up the mirror. NOT spitting. Lets get that straight!

A funny short joke. True story. I was playing a rehearsal and had some condensation in the throat A key and the note made that weird, very unpleasant sound during a slow romantic solo. Well the conductor stopped and asked what happened and without thinking I said I had water in my A-hole. Needless to say the whole orchestra busted up laughing. So this is not uncommon. It happens to everyone.

Wipe your clarinet every 1/2 hour or so 20 minutes if it is a problem. Should solve your problem. Use quality ones. I think the worst are the Yamaha ones and the Buffets are actually decent. Buy several and wash them a lot. Germs spread like crazy on these. Hand washing is the best because in the washing machine the long string turns into knots. A dishwasher actually works OK, just don't dangle the cord down, drape it along the rack.

As for pads I like cork pads the best in the upper register, probably because I've been using them since the late 1970's. With the newer pads which are very good, I feel this sponge effect, because the pads are softer than cork. Cork will usually last a long time, 10 to 15 years. Then they are pretty hard and can make noise sometimes when pressing down on the keys. But in theory they can last longer than 15 years. Some of the newer cork is really soft compared to the old days.

Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces

Yamaha Artist 2015

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics