Author: m1964
Date: 2019-10-30 18:42
ruben wrote:
> My personal answers: 1. To prevent the wood from cracking.
> I have never had a clarinet crack after it has been a year or
> two old. If it doesn't crack the first year, it usually won't
> crack later on. This has been my experience, at any rate. 2. To
> make the bore nice and smooth. When the bore gets too dry, it
> becomes craggy and pressure waves through it don't travel as
> fast. I think it should be like the barrel of a rifle that
> allows a bullet to travel seamlessly through it. That said,
> I'm better acquainted with clarinet-playing than with shooting
> rifles!
>
Hi Ruben,
I agree with you on both #1 and #2.
My understanding is that the oil (I use sweet almond oil) does not penetrates the wood deeply but rather forms a water-resistant coat in the bore thus preventing the water/saliva from quick absorption so the inside the clarinet does not expand too quickly which, if happened, would increase chance of cracking.
There must be a reason why Buffet recommends "braking-in" new clarinets by playing no more than 30 min./day.
Backun has a comprehensive sequence on playing their new clarinets:
"Play your new clarinet ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes at a time for the first two weeks, swabbing it thoroughly and allowing it to rest for at least four hours between sessions
In week three, play your new Backun Clarinet for up to thirty (30) minutes per session
In week four, play your new Backun Clarinet for up to sixty (60) minutes per session
After the first month, play your new Backun Clarinet as much as you like. Always remember to swab the inside and the joints of the clarinet after each session."
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