 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Brian
Date: 2002-02-28 11:16
Hello All!
I was sitting at my computer desk the other day (reading the BB of course!) when my eyes fell upon my can of compressed air that I use for dusting my keyboard and other parts of my computer. I thought that maybe I could use this canned air for blowing out the dust that accumulates under the keywork on my clarinet. It sure would be easier than using the small soft bristle paint brush that my band director told me to use many,many moons ago.
Has anyone used this stuff for this particular purpose? Does anyone know if it is safe for use on a wooden clarinet? It is supposed to be moisture free so I don't see much of a problem there. I imagine one would have to be careful not to blow apart a pad or blow a needle spring out of place...
Anyone with thoughts on this?
Thanks for the help!
Brian
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Author: Sally Gardens
Date: 2002-02-28 11:28
I haven't used it, but I do know the air is quite cold, which is probably not a good thing to inflict upon a wooden instrument. There was also a thread on this board not too long ago that warned people against using the canned air, saying that it was ineffective (in addition to being very cold).
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Author: Sally Gardens
Date: 2002-02-28 11:29
Oh...let me clarify: I haven't used the compressed air on a clarinet. I *have* used it on a computer keyboard, and can attest that the can gets VERY cold in a matter of seconds.
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Author: BG
Date: 2002-02-28 13:14
I am not necessarily recommending it, but I have seen some of my fellow pit musician woodwind players use it to blow the excess water out of tone holes.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-02-28 13:22
Read the fine print on the label..."Do not shake". I just tested mine on my hand and it wasn't cold at all."Dust Off XL". Try those little "proxy brushes" that are used to clean between your teeth..I think Butler makes them. But they won't remove h20.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-02-28 16:13
The air is cold because it goes from high pressure inside the can to low pressure outside. Remember Boyle's law. Still, I don't think blowing a little cold air on the clarinet could have much effect.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Brian
Date: 2002-02-28 22:05
Thanks to all who replied.
I tried it using short bursts as opposed to a steady stream and it did not get cold at all. In fact it worked quite well. I plan on doing this about once a week so my clarinet won't be so dirty as to have to use a lot.
Any more thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Happy Clarinetting!
Brian
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-03-01 03:21
Ken:
I thought that was Gay-Lussac's law.
Anyhow, my recommendation: Plastic, go for it. Wood, I'd be iffy.
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Author: Kristen D.
Date: 2002-03-04 00:29
I've used it for dusting and for blowing out water every now and then. I've
also used short bursts. You do have to be careful to not tilt the can in any
way. Keep the can in its natural vertical position (with the tube horizontal with
the ground) and move the clarinet around to get to the dust. Sometimes when
the can is tilted a liquid substance comes out. Use with caution... and not with
young people. That's my personal experience and opinion. Good clarinetting.
Kristen D.
GTA: Clarinet, UNL
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