 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2019-09-25 00:54
We are in a spate of very high humidity right now and I'm having trouble with the C#/G# and first side key (Eb/ Bb) with moisture coming out the tine holes. Of course it happens at the WORST moments and it sounds like I'm gargling through the clarinet. Right now I'm playing a buffet Prestige Eefer.
Is there any trick to try to reduce this? I am using a microfiber strip from BG to catch the moisture but I wonder if thee was anything preventative, like cleaning the tone holes?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Eefer guy
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2019-09-25 07:14
Of course the holes in question are low on the body of the clarinet and gravity causes the condensation to run near these holes.
Whenever this happens during practice I dry the hole with cigarette paper (and you your microfiber) until no moisture is on the paper, and this includes stopping one end of the joint, covering all the holes, and blowing in from the top — then opening the key in question to get it all out.
I follow up and do this on all the usual suspects when I put the horn away. I largely have little problem with this occurring.
Maybe overkill? I don’t know, depends on how annoying you find it.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2019-09-25 08:33
James,
Thanks for the blowing technique to rid the tone hole of the moisture. I do repeated treatments with the microfiber but am never sure if the moisture truly is gone or still lurking.
The top joint of the Buffet Prestige Eefer has a tone hole that runs through the tenon/ cork. It was not the best design and I often wonder if that could be a problem.
Eefer guy
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2019-09-25 13:12
These problems recur because there are preferred "drainage channels" in the bore of a clarinet. Look down it when it's wet and you'll see lines where the water runs. So if you dry a pad out, this doesn't help: more water arrives instantly. Even mopping out doesn't fix it for long, as the same channels quickly re-establish themselves.
So what has to be done is to persuade the water to run along a different route. I find the following works. Get a bit of cork grease on something that won't scratch the wood (e.g. eraser end of a pencil) and smear it on the bore above the problematic tone hole. Then mop to smooth everything out. Now you will get a different drainage system (which may of course go into a hole that wasn't previously a problem....). After a few days of playing and repeated mopping, things will change and problems may return, but this is a medium-term fix.
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Author: Luuk ★2017
Date: 2019-09-25 13:24
Johns suggestion is the right one. You can generalize it to the 'extreme' solution: just oil the complete bore. It will create a smooth, water repellent gutter.
Regards,
Luuk
Philips Symphonic Band
The Netherlands
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Author: ruben
Date: 2019-09-25 14:35
John: it's funny, but when you change bore lengths, the water also runs a different route. Why is this?
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2019-09-25 17:08
I've had success with this problem by applying an aerosol silicone waterproofer intended for automotive use. I don't spray it, I apply it to the area round and above the tonehole using long Qtips.
Tony F.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-09-25 21:21
I have had reliable success with just slightly turning the clarinet body counter clockwise so the side key tone holes are more off to the side rather than down.
You do this by reorienting the mouthpiece. Instead of lining the reed side with the register key (as you look down at horn from the top), you twist the mouthpiece a bit more clockwise from that "6 o'clock" position to "6:30" or even "7:00."
Works wonders!
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: ruben
Date: 2019-09-26 01:46
I've tried this too and it really does work. It changes the route of the water, I suppose.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: ruben
Date: 2019-09-26 01:48
Tony F: do you remember the brand of this product? Thank you.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2019-09-26 02:50
Wonderful suggestions! I'm going to try John's suggestion first but all of these seem like good ideas.
I have some very light almond oil that was recommended to me by an oboist friend that does help on those horns.
Eefer guy
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2019-09-26 03:35
Ruben, the product I use is Selley's Watershield, which comes in a 220 gm spray can. This is a locally made product and may not be available in your country, but there are numerous similar products available worldwide. Spray some into a plastic cup and apply to the bore selectively with a long Qtip.
Tony F.
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