 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Volatile
Date: 2018-10-03 04:15
For what it's worth I saw this on that most reputable, haha site Youtube.A guy, who shall remain nameless and by the looks of his workbench, by the way he has 3600 subscribers says monthly maintenance should include swabbing the bore with rubbing alcohol. He also swabs from bell to barrel. I've actually read somewhere that the bore should be swabbed in the same direction that air flows through the instrument. He also, besides cleaning the mouthpiece with dish soap and water, runs a swab through the mouthpiece, which some people claim will change the dimensions of it. I'm not a musician, or plan on becoming one. I do not have access to a teacher, but think to change the internal dimensions of the mouth by pulling a silk pull through would take a plethora of swabs. I have been practicing for about a year just because I like to. I've also read alcohol will cause cracks in the horn. Thanks
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2018-10-03 04:39
I would like to hear other's reaction to the alcohol assertion. I never heard of such a recommendation and it sounds counterintuitive to the idea of caring for wood since alcohol would serve to dry it out.
The direction one swabs the horn is sometimes an issue for some, but I don't really see any reason why it makes any difference. There is condensation in the horn, you should try to control it with some form of swab, but whether some modicum of moisture is pushed around the top (bell to barrel) or bottom of the tone hole (barrel to bell) shouldn't make any difference.
I also try to be practical about the idea of swabbing a mouthpiece. If the swab passes through without any real resistance, there should be no negative consequences for doing so. Of course you also want to be careful about speed. If you whip the swab through the mouthpiece there may be a sawing affect (and I'd be most worried about the affect on the side and tip rails) that could remove material.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2018-10-03 05:03
“Alcohol- the cause of, and solution to all of life’s problems “
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2018-10-03 14:27
Alcohol probably would be ok for a plastic horn but I don't think it's necessary. The fellow clearly refers to bacteria so I think he's a germaphobe.
The mouthpiece brush is a separate issue from a silk swab. The bristles are plastic and that in themselves could be more abrasive to the inside dimensions of a mouthpiece. Then there is the hard metal wire to which they are attached.....yikes! DON'T DO IT!!!!
As for oiling this fellow shows you the rod, but then seems to say a dab of oil at the assembled crevasse between the key and post will magically disperse oil to the full length of the rod (and presumably clean off the old oil and associated particles of worn metal too). Hmmmm.......
Just use some common sense when evaluating such instructional videos.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Volatile
Date: 2018-10-03 16:54
Yeah, nellsonic, that's the video. I admit I got a little carried away with the post when what I mainly wanted to know if alcohol would cause cracks in a plastic clarinet. I don't have access to a teacher, and not being an expert like you, I made this post to verify that alcohol could or would cause cracks in a plastic horn. If that's silly, excuse the hell out of me. I'm 72 and not having a teacher , thought I'd ask here. My instrument is a Yamaha ycl 250. Plastic, not wood. Funny how some people will post something they wouldn't say to face to another.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2018-10-03 17:03
I like beer, I drink beer, I love beer, I like beer, oh wait, wrong post.
As far as the mouthpiece goes, I agree. with a silk swab making sure it's opened and is gently pulled from the bore to the facing will take millions and millions of swabs to show an effect and even then probably not. I've done that all my professional life once silk swabs came available.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2018-10-03 17:21
Oh Ed..... you went there.
For the record, it took an incredible amount of self control to prevent myself from doing the same.
............Paul Aviles.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2018-10-03 17:43
I like reeds. My friends like reeds. We like to use reeds. Have I ever used too many reeds? Maybe? Who hasn’t? I like to go to my friends house and meet for a few ‘eeds. I love reeds.
James Tobin
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2018-10-03 19:13
What could you possibly be referring to James?
Swabbing a mouthpiece is fine and if done properly will not damage your mouthpiece. Using a silk swab, or very soft otherwise, make sure that the cord and weight don't drag against the rails/sidewalls/any part of the mouthpiece. Holding the mouthpiece in one hand right side up, put your index finger across the rails, perpendicular to the mouthpiece. Leave space between your finger and the bottom of the window and drop the weight through, using your index finger to guide the weight and cord away from mouthpiece surfaces.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2018-10-03 20:10
Alcohol does degrade ABS plastic. Considering that the alcohol is not in contact with the plastic for very long it may not make a difference
Steve Ocone
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Author: Windy Dreamer
Date: 2018-10-03 21:40
I've experimentally treated reeds with wax oil and alcohol. Alcohol Absolutely destroyed them. Ever since then I don't let alcohol near any of my clarinets. If i drink while playing I rinse my mouth with.coffee before blowing on my reeds. It takes me two hours to scratch build a reed or 90 minutes to tune a new #2 Rico. In light of the effect on my highly tuned reeds I cannot imagine what alcobol would do to a any clarinet.
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