 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gerry
Date: 2002-11-16 18:07
I note a number of postings say not to use a swab on the mouthpiece when cleaning the clarinet. Why? Although I don't play a lot, I have always run a piece of cloth through the mouthpiece to clean it before putting it away, and now I am told not to do so. Your advise would be much appreciated.
Gerry.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-11-16 19:28
Gerry...Any swab with a weighted end would certainly increase the risk of nicking or damaging the tip or rails of the mouthpiece.
Use either a very soft cloth material or tissues to clean the inside and outside of the mouthpiece. I do not run the cloth material back and forth through the mouthpiece as I feel (over time) it could alter the facing of the mouthpiece.
I also clean my mouthpieces after ever use - but, then again, I am seriously anal retentive...GBK
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-11-16 19:53
(... don't ya listen to 'im Dan,
he's a devil, not a man,
and he spreads the burnin' sand
with questionable advice... 
Keeping the mouthpiece clean is a priority on my routine maintenance check list, Gerry.
Why do 'They' make mpc brushes and swabs? I run a piece of cloth or a swab through my mpc after tootin' too. I also lightly scrub the mpc with a mpc brush and soap once in a while (once a week, more or less) with no bad consequences. In my personal opinion, not to do so would be irresponsible. Any ol' soft piece of cloth will do just as well as a store bought accessory any day of the week.
(one guy's ever so humble opinion...)
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Author: Simone
Date: 2002-11-16 19:58
When I bought a Peter Eaton mouthpiece this August, I asked Peter Eaton this question. His answer was:
"Dry it with a clean paper tissue and then remove any deposits on the outside very carefully with your fingernail or perhaps a reed, trying not to touch the facing any more than you have to."
<a href="http://www.bgfranckbichon.com">BG</a> fabricates a special mouthpiece cleaning swab, which is smaller and has no weighted end.
Simone
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-11-16 19:59
I meant to direct my above comment toward the one(s) who told you NOT to clean your mouthpiece, not GBK's excellent advice. I agree, GBK, the weighted end of a swab - or harsh rubbing could alter some surfaces in time.
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Author: Pam
Date: 2002-11-16 20:14
In my humble opinion, it may make a difference if you have a custom made mouthpiece that cost mucho dollars -- yes I would be more careful with something like that. If you're using something that's easier to replace (say one of the many Vandorens) I really wouldn't worry about it alot.
I use a little dish soap from time to time (not as often as I probably should) to get my mouthpiece clean. Especially if I've been sick.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-11-16 20:35
"...If you're using something that's easier to replace (say one of the many Vandorens) I really wouldn't worry about it alot..."
Whether the student is using a Vandoren, a Kaspar, or a Selmer Goldentone, <font color="0000FF">never</font> instruct them to pull a weighted swab through the mouthpiece.
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Author: Laura
Date: 2002-11-16 20:58
Running a swab through it is ok, as long as it doesn't run over the tip area. Hold the mouthpiece parallel with floor--the window area facing down. Let the swab weight drop through (need to tilt mouthpiece a bit here) and gravity will pull it down right away, so it won't rub over the tip. Then pull the swab straight down and it shouldn't touch the tip area. Or hold your finger over the tip area and pull swab through.
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Author: Laurie
Date: 2002-11-16 21:05
I use a mixture of mouthwash and water - rince my mouthpiece with that every once in a while...
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Author: Robert
Date: 2002-11-16 21:38
I've never cleaned my mouthpieces in the 22 years that I've been playing. I just blow the water out of it at the end of my session. Haven't had any problems!
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Author: Dan
Date: 2002-11-16 22:57
The rubber that the mouthpiece is made of makes a difference, too. Some old blanks are made of very soft material that you have to be very careful with. For instance, I can easily mark my old Bettoney with my fingernail. If your mouthpiece is plastic, on the other hand, you probably don't need to worry....
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-11-16 23:18
I use only a soft handkerchief on my mps, even tho several are glass. Just be careful. Don
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-11-16 23:36
I simply put my MP away after use, not even touching it.
Once a week, leave it soaking in lemon juice for about 3 or 4 hours.
I have to question my own methods now though... My post "I Hate Vandoren" led me to have my mouthpiece checked out and yes, the table has warped slightly, but nothing to panic about. My teacher reccomended looking at replacing it in about 6 months time.
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Author: Willie
Date: 2002-11-16 23:37
One thing to keep in mind Gerry is to stay away from some of those mouthpiece cleaning bruahes that so many music stores sell. Most all have a twisted wire core that can scratch and marr the bore and rails very badly. If its really really crusted up with scum, just soak it longer. Also don't use hot water thinking it will be cleaner, less germs etc. Hot water can warp a good mouthpiece rendering useless.
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Author: terry
Date: 2002-11-17 00:22
As a private study, last month, I contacted most of the custom
mouthpiece makers with this question. To a man,
they did not want anything in their mouthpieces
except water to rinse it out. For stronger cleaning
most were in favor of the Doctor's Mouthpiece
cleaner (sponsor of Sneezy).
Hope this helps,
terry
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Author: Todd
Date: 2002-11-17 01:31
I use a silk swab very gently to dry the inside of my mp after each practice or rehearsal. To remove the white mineral deposits on the outside, I soak the tip of the mp in vinegar for about ten minutes or so, then rinse it in cool water, being careful not to get the cork wet. I haven't heard or seen any adverse affects from this.
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2002-11-17 02:04
I do the same as Todd with my silk pull-through. I very gently pull it back and fowarth a few times, not all the way. I just use my fingernails to clean the sides.
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Author: Robert
Date: 2002-11-17 12:24
Morrigan- lemon juice? I would have thought that is rather acidic for mouthpieces. If your mouthpiece is warped, you should either get it refaced or replace it immediately. A warped mouthpiece is not much use, and you'll really battle to find a reed for it.
I guess you must feel a bit of an idiot after your sweeping statement about Vandoren?
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Author: Gerry
Date: 2002-11-17 13:55
Thanks for all the help. Now I know what and what not to do. So far I haven't had a problem but will be very careful from now on. Also will buy some of the "Doctor's" Mouthpiece Cleaner.
Thanks again.
Gerry.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-11-17 14:27
Treat your mouthpiece like your ears i.e. "don't put anything in there except your elbow". I use Doc's stuff too,but not in my ears.
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Author: Jamie Talbot
Date: 2002-11-17 15:34
I clean my mouthpieces in steradent or any denture cleaner.
Leave the mp in warm water with one tablet of the stuff overnight.
On older mps be a little more careful since the colour can change.
Rinse the the mp thoroughly in cold water afterwards and all the
gunge on the inside and outside should disappear.
I am very fond of Indian food,fish and chips,Chinese food,beer and wine ect.so a pull-thru is only really sufficient on a short term basis!
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Author: William
Date: 2002-11-17 16:14
To get rid of all that "yukky" placque that accumulates after hours of playing, I simply soak the mpc in household Lime A Way (stuff in the green plastic bottle under the kitchen sink) for about five minutes, then wash it off in soapy water. I do this for all of my mpcs, metal and hard rubber--and yes, even for my Chicago Kaspar #14. I use it straight out of the bottle (in a shot glass) and have ever had a problem.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2002-11-17 16:22
A good rinsing with plain water after use (blow out any remaining water) will keep mouthpieces pretty clean without the need to use much in the way of cleaning solutions. Oral hygiene - do not play within an hour of eating, or rinse your mouth out with water before playing - goes a long way toward diminishing the build up of organic material and the bugs that use it as a food source.
Often you may see a build up (and this is different for each person's body chemistry) of a white material on the outside and sometimes on the inside of the MP. This is iorganic chemical build up and may change the air flow patterns of the MP. There are chemical treatments for removing this type of build up but probably the easiest and most efficient is a 1:3 dilution of white vinegar at room temperature for 15 minutes-1hour depending on the amount of build up. Sanitizing solutions will kill the bugs and a solution of 2 1/2 percent dish washing detergent will loosen the dryed organic material which can be removed with a soft cloth with care. Some of the older and classic mouthpieces are made of vulcanized rubber using the older chemistry and residues of unreacted vulcanizing chemicals can react with certain chemicals found in mouth wash formulations to cause discoloration of the surface. Be careful when using chemicals on your $500. EBay Kaspar mouthpiece.
Some new age chemical formulations (Disclaimer - I sell a mouth piece cleaning formulation) get rid of both the organic (and associated germs) and inorganic build up using newer oxygen generating chemicals (not peroxide) and other chemicals which dissolve the inorganic deposits in a simple soaking solution without the need to put any foreign cleaning tool into the mouthpiece.
One word of caution - if you use a swab to clean your mouthpiece do not use common paper towels because they are made of wood fiber and have certain abrasive properties (I got this tip from my opthomologist that stressed that the UV coatings on glasses are often worn away by people using paper towels) - use soft cotton or silk.
The Doctor
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-11-17 21:27
Robert
No, cause I still hate Vandoren! Just a bit less now...
And no, I don't feel like an idiot, because if I didn't post that thread, how else would I have found my problem???
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Author: jenna
Date: 2002-11-18 04:29
I use lemon juice on all of my mouthpieces and have never had a problem... If you search I'm sure you will find more info on the topic. I remember the use of lemon juice discussed at other points.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-11-18 05:10
Yes, I definitely think lemon juice does the trick... I'm sure it hasn't contributed to my mpc warping, I believe it is caused naturally over time by some other factor.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-11-18 15:27
TKS, Omar, for your usual comprehensive discussion, your mention of my favorite, [colorless] vinegar, and caution re: peroxides particularly as applied on good, older, hard rubber mps. I like the mild organic acids, acetic, citric et al for CaCO3/white deposit removal and stay away from strong oxidizers. Take care, Don
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