 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mandy
Date: 2001-09-16 11:23
Does anyone out there know where I can obtain one of the better quality cork greases here in the UK.At the moment I am always very careful to wipe all grease from the tenons and sockets after playing as I realize that the ordinary chap stick style cork grease can have a detrimental effect on corks,unfortunately this seems to be all we can get over here.
Many Thanks.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-09-16 11:55
Contact "The Doctor" a sneezy sponsor. I'm sure he can fix you up!
John
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Author: William
Date: 2001-09-16 22:19
Hmmmm--I've been using "chapstick" cork grease for many years on a variety of woodwinds and have never experianced cork problems of any kind. If you have to wipe excess grease from your tendons after playing, you are probably using too much to begin with. Never apply the stick directly to the cork--always use your forefinger. Rub your forefinger on the tip of your "chapstick" or "cake" style grease and then apply what is on your finger to the cork. This is not a Messy" procedure--if it is, you are using too much grease. Rule of thumb (finger??) is: If you can see the grease once applied, you are using too much. Once the cork is greased, you should be able to feel it, but not see it. Then, twist the tendons as you assemble your instrument. I apologise if it seems I am talking "down" to you as if you were a beginner, but I see too many "grown-ups" making these simple mistakes. Good Clarineting!!!!!
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-09-17 03:37
Ditto what William said.
When a cork is new or "dry," I endevour to work small amounts of grease into every nook, cranny or pore of the cork the first time I use the instrument, and that is the only time I may ever have any excess grease to wipe off afterward. When I do that, I ensure I wipe it off even before assembling the instrument.
However, after that, the amounts of grease I use on the corks are so minute, they are nearly non-existent, and sometimes, depending on the cork's ability to "soak-up" the grease, I may only apply more every few times I use the instrument.
I have found that some corks don't hold the grease very well, while others do, but I also think the techniquqe you use to apply the grease to begin with has a great deal to do with that.
If as I said before, you take the time to really apply the grease and work it into the depths of the cork one time, you'll find you'll need much less grease and have much better long-term cork lubrication with much less effort, in the future.
By the way, although I very rarely used it, I always carry teflon plumber's tape in my bag. There is nothing like it to substitute for a broken cork in an emergency.
Some people use thread, but it takes forever to get enough of it on for it to work properly. Some use regular tape, but it leaves a gummy mess on your clarinet, and that is a no-no. Some use paper, but it is difficult to get it to stay on while assembling the instrument.
Teflon plumber's tape has no glue, it is about the same width as a tennon cork, and it stretches slightly to grip the cork surface and stay on as you assemble the instrument.
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Author: Mandy
Date: 2001-09-17 19:49
When I said I wipe excess grease off the tennons after playing I didn't mean that I have it oozing out all over the place just that I am always very thorough in cleaning my clarinet after playing and only ever apply the mininum of grease to facilatate easy assemble of the instrument eg.wiping it on with which ever digit feels right at the time!!!
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