 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: m1964
Date: 2019-08-12 22:48
Is it good practice to grease tenon corks several times a day?
I sometimes assemble/disassemble my clarinet more than once a day.
I grease the tenon corks every time I put the clarinet together. Occasionally, I clean the excess of the grease from "above" the cork using a cotton swab.
Should I keep greasing the corks multiple times a day?
The clarinet is a relatively new wooden Buffet (~3 months old).
I use La Tromba synthetic grease ("yellowish" one from a bigger tub).
I appreciate your advice.
Post Edited (2019-08-12 23:16)
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2019-08-12 23:03
You're going to get differing advice about this.
Unless a cork is really badly fitted - too thick - I suspect greasing several times a day as you describe is too much and shouldn't be necessary. You should grease the corks when they need to be greased - when they are balky enough that the grip force needed to assemble the two joints may lead to bent keys. How much force it takes to make the socket move on the cork is a judgment call.
It does matter, I think, which cork is in question. I grease the corks on my mouthpiece and at the top of the upper key section more often than the bell cork or the middle tenon. The mouthpiece needs to slide out easily for quick changes between clarinets (C, Bb and A). The barrel cork needs to be easy to adjust finely for small changes in pitch as needed.
If the corks are too slippery, the joints may start coming apart as you play. Some greases, used too much, in my experience can penetrate the cork and loosen the cement bond to the tenon.
Karl
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Author: m1964
Date: 2019-08-12 23:21
kdk wrote:
> You're going to get differing advice about this.
>
> Unless a cork is really badly fitted - too thick - I suspect
> greasing several times a day as you describe is too much and
> shouldn't be necessary. You should grease the corks when they
> need to be greased - when they are balky enough that the grip
> force needed to assemble the two joints may lead to bent keys.
> How much force it takes to make the socket move on the cork is
> a judgment call.
>
> It does matter, I think, which cork is in question. I grease
> the corks on my mouthpiece and at the top of the upper key
> section more often than the bell cork or the middle tenon. The
> mouthpiece needs to slide out easily for quick changes between
> clarinets (C, Bb and A). The barrel cork needs to be easy to
> adjust finely for small changes in pitch as needed.
>
> If the corks are too slippery, the joints may start coming
> apart as you play. Some greases, used too much, in my
> experience can penetrate the cork and loosen the cement bond to
> the tenon.
>
> Karl
Karl,
Thanks,
I think greasing every single time is safer. That's why I do it every time.
Getting loose cork does not bother me so much because I can put new tenon cork if needed, but an even slightly bent key may be more difficult to return to proper alignment.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-08-13 00:41
For me it is practical matter. If the assembly of a certain section binds up a little upon assembly, I then apply a little cork grease (I use the Vandoren Chapstick style containers).
The real world result for me and my six month old Buffet is that I usually apply a quick, small amount upon the corks once every two days. Sometimes if I'm in a hurry on a third day (or so....maybe even fourth!) I'll assemble and put up with a bit of rubbing (friction) sensation.
But as "KDK" stated above, the mouthpiece requires a little more ease (also so that you don't wind up with a hand full of reed and ligature!). So the mouthpiece is usually a daily event.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: m1964
Date: 2019-08-13 04:24
Paul Aviles wrote:
> For me it is practical matter. If the assembly of a certain
> section binds up a little upon assembly, I then apply a little
> cork grease (I use the Vandoren Chapstick style containers).
>
>
> The real world result for me and my six month old Buffet is
> that I usually apply a quick, small amount upon the corks once
> every two days. Sometimes if I'm in a hurry on a third day
> (or so....maybe even fourth!) I'll assemble and put up with a
> bit of rubbing (friction) sensation.
>
>
> But as "KDK" stated above, the mouthpiece requires a little
> more ease (also so that you don't wind up with a hand full of
> reed and ligature!). So the mouthpiece is usually a daily
> event.
>
>
>
>
> ..............Paul Aviles
>
Paul,
Thanks,
I just re-assembled the clarinet 2nd time today without greasing the corks and it felt fine.
I will stop greasing it every single time esp. if I done it earlier on the same day.
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2019-08-13 07:58
This subject has just reminded me about an event I witnessed.
Some months ago I posted on this Board that I saw a somewhat dimwitted member of my concert band lubricating his clarinet keys by spraying the whole instrument with WD40.
Just recently I saw him greasing his tenon corks with a lipstick type of applicator. I did not recognise the applicator, it had a pink or orange cap. When he was distracted I took look at it The label said "Elmers all purpose glue stick" !
I am looking forward to the next event. (He still plays OK though)'
tiaroa@shaw.ca
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2019-08-13 13:39
alanporter - Can't stop laughing!
Someone should invent a "Designer," label cork grease that might cost $500 a tube but it is a designer brand. Sergio Zi Korko? Heck there is a ligature out there with a diamond! Yes $1000 for this ligature! Hey it's late in the morning almost 4AM! Just my late night humor!
Yes too much grease, the tenon connection should be tight, but not too tight, just enough so you don't bend keys. Too much can also really gum up the area inside and actually wreck the corks life. It's also wise to clean the cork grease off sometimes. Just use a wet paper towel. At some point the cork needs to be replaced if the joints wobble too much because this can also lead to leaks in the horn, maybe every year or 2 have a repairman look at the horn, or if a cork chips off.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2019-08-13 14:55)
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Author: m1964
Date: 2019-08-14 01:27
alanporter wrote:
"...Some months ago I posted on this Board that I saw a somewhat dimwitted member of my concert band lubricating his clarinet keys by spraying the whole instrument with WD40.
Just recently I saw him greasing his tenon corks with a lipstick type of applicator. I did not recognise the applicator, it had a pink or orange cap. When he was distracted I took look at it The label said "Elmers all purpose glue stick" !
I am looking forward to the next event. (He still plays OK though)".
I can't see much harm in spraying a plastic clarinet with WD-40 outside.
Maybe it even makes the instrument sound better.
I wonder if anyone have done studies on air flow rates through a clarinet bore lubricated inside with WD-40 vs. dry bore...
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2019-08-15 16:59
My take is simple, use as necessary, I know, that's so practical.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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