 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Spencer
Date: 2001-11-29 14:53
I'm in the process of purchasing a new mouthpiece and barrel. However, I'm a bit of a pack rat and would like to keep my old mouthpiece and barrel with my clarinet bag. Are there any sorts of containers that would protect these items? I've seen large cases for 6 or so mouthpieces, but I only have one. My clarinet case is an old one, and does not have much room in it for anything other than the instrument and a few reeds.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-11-29 15:21
I would suggest that for going to gigs and rehearsals, you make a decision and limit the amount of gadgets and other junk that we all tend to carry too much of. Try to limit your baggage to two barrels per clarinet (longer and shorter for tuning purposes) and a main mouthpiece and a "backup" for use in case you main mpc incurres damage and is rendered unplayable (I carry three--one too many!!) I found a travel accessories (mens) soft pack that accomodates my three mpcs (caps and ligs), Harrison reed holder (12 reeds), reed knife, screw drivers, butane lighter (for pads that fall out), cigarette paper (for moisture under paded holes), a spring tool and my reading glasses (of the proper strength for reading music on a music stand--not the same as for reading the morning paper). This pack of accessories easily fits into the front pouch of my double clarinet Alterie case cover and makes it possible for me to use my same clarinet mpc/reed set ups for my sax case clarinet (gold plated Buffet R-13 Bb) that I do for my set of LeBlanc Concertos that I use for formal concert events without having to switch a lot of individual stuff from one case to the other--I just grab my reed/mouthpiece pack and I am set to go. Good Clarineting!!! (without carrying so much stuff--as defined by George Carlin--around)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-11-29 17:18
WOW, William, you have pretty well described what I carry "around", really too much, but as my legal friends used to say "with an abundance of caution" . Recently I have gone to carrying my Selmer CT and my LeBlanc L7 in a double case, with lots of "stuff". My best LeB case can accommodate several mps and barrels plus, but ONLY one clar !! Its two "slots" can hold a lot tho. Luck, Don
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-11-29 19:31
The best carry-all case I have found is an Army combat medic's bag.
It has about a 12" to 14" x 6" to 7" x 6", heavy-duty-zippered main compartment.
Six, 6" x 3.5" heavy-duty-snapped outside pockets.
Then, between the outside and main compartments, on either long side, it has two flat velcro-closure pockets running the entire length and height of the bag.
It also has two handles and a shoulder strap, comes in O.D. green or solid black.
In the six outside pockets I carry two ea.: Bb/A soprano clarinet mouthpieces; Eb soprano clarinet mouthpieces; soprano saxophone mouthpieces; alto saxophone mouthpieces; tenor saxophone mouthpieces; and alto clarinet mouthpieces.
In the flat pockets I carry sheet music, when I do.
In the main compartment I carry everything else. Reeds for all (in their individual reed cases,) barrels, tuner, a small compartmentalized plastic box for small parts, jeweler's screwdrivers, small Leatherman tool, plumber's teflon tape, (yes) electrical tape, key oil, 20 0z. water bottle, anti-acid tablets, a piece of an old cotton t-shirt, and what-not.
Instrument specific items are in each instrument's case, so all I pick up is the instrument(s) and the carry-all bag, and I'm gone, no matter what instrument I take.
However, any time I take instruments anywhere to be used (which is almost never,) I also usually carry two instruments of the type to be used. When I travel otherwise, I still often carry more than one instrument, just not always the same.
I don't have the most expensive mouthpieces, but not the cheapest ones either, so I need to protect them. I have closed-cell foam "envelopes" in which the mouthpieces go before being put into the outside pockets of the bag, which, BTW, are just the perfect size for things like mouthpieces, reed cases, etc.
Caution: Do not use open-cell foam in any of this, it soaks up moisture.
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Author: Blake
Date: 2001-11-29 20:20
Ive used a small camera carrying case with lots of pockets and velcro straps to carry my "emergency kit" and mouthpieces, barrels, lyres, etc. Maybe we should develop a "useful the things to carry in the event..." I know i bought one of those cheap repair kits for emergencies that include pad glue, pads, corks, and added a knife, reed clipper, rush, cigarette papers, screw driver, matches, rubber bands (which double as a ligature or spring in a pinch!) I started carrying it after one of our clarinets in community band lost a pad right before a concert and was in tears... Fortunately, enough of us remembered how to pull out a trill key pad and use it where we needed it and repad the trill key with a makeshift pad of chewing gum and some cigarette papers. It pays to at least have one person in the section carry around an emergency kit like that, particularly at concerts.
Blake
Arlington, VA
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Author: Sheldon
Date: 2001-11-30 04:12
Try going to Wal Mart and getting a fishing lure box. You can pad the bottom with packing foam to protect the mouthpiece face. I use this to carry up to five mouthpieces in my shouder bag.
Sheldon
South Bend IN
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Author: Bob
Date: 2001-12-01 18:42
Peter...I smiled as I read your reply because it sounds like you've had lots of experience. I guess the plumbers teflon tape is for loose joints and I'm surprised at myself for not having thought of this. Thanks for the tip.
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-12-02 19:25
Bob,
The beauty of the teflon tape is that you can leave it in place for as long as you want to and it will still peel off as the first day you put it on, without leaving any residue behind.
It also doesn't damage either wood, resonite or hard rubber.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2001-12-02 20:39
Having Teflon tape with you at all times is INVALUABLE.
During an orchestral concert, while changing the mouthpiece from one clarinet to another, the cork on the mouthpiece loosened and was no longer able to fit securely. As my back-up mouthpiece was in my case in the warm-up area (not smart), I fortunately had the roll of Teflon tape with me on stage, and a temporary fix was made.
As the saying goes: "I never leave home without it"...GBK
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