 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2004-06-08 19:48
I know the issue of wood clarinets and cold has been discussed to death, but I've been asked to play on a float in a parade this coming Sat and I expect the temperatures to be in the mid to high eighties. perhaps low ninties Is it safe and sane to play my Concerto or should I go beg/borrow or steal a plastic clarinet for the gig?
Thanks in advance
RW
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Author: Dee
Date: 2004-06-08 19:54
This temperature should not cause a problem. Your breath is warmer that that! However, consider the possibility that you may get bumped by other people on the float and the instrument ends up hitting the ground. It might be best to use something far less valuable for that reason alone.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-06-08 20:24
Dee says it well. Plastics are safer for playing marches and simple music. For our Memorial Day concert here, having some more-demanding parts to play, I risked my Selmer Bass cl [and glass mp] out-of-doors at the cemetary. While listening to speeches etc, I noticed that the early morning sunlite was heating-up one side of the horn, so I covered the U J with a white handkerchief which did equilibrate the heating. All OK, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-06-08 20:28
Memorial Day weekend I had to play in a couple of outdoor ceremonies where the heat was in the 90s and, for awhile, the humidity was 100%. I used my wooden Signet, and it was sweatin' like Nixon until it became acclimated. Then it was fine.
I'd think humidity is more of a concern than heat, and the more humid, the better. Try not to expose it to sudden changes in conditions; do it gradually.
Still, in your case, I'd be more worried about accidental damage than what the weather will do. If I could, I'd use a cheaper horn.
.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
Post Edited (2004-06-08 20:31)
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2004-06-08 21:31
I've no experience of playing outdoors, so what I'm about to say may be quite wrong!
I would have thought the real issue was not the air temperature - as Dee says, our breath is hotter than ninety Fahrenheit. The thing that would worry me is exposing the instrument to direct sunlight. I would expect a matt black object like a clarinet to get very hot indeed. Playing in the shade would be fine, I think.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2004-06-09 03:05
Thanks everyone for your advice. The issue bacame moot, at least at this time because at rehersal tonight they announced that they were cancelling because they couldn't locate a truck and flat bed. Shucks...BG!
BTW David, a Dixieland band I'm a part of is currently touring England. They are participating in Newburgh's Anniversay celebration on Sat. and several other venues. I couldn't make the tour because my God Daughter decided to get married in the middle of the tour.
Thanks again to all for the advice
Rick
Best
Rick
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Author: Dee
Date: 2004-06-09 16:41
Heat causes an expansion but wood has a very, very low coefficient of expansion with heat. Stresses caused by temperature are almost nil.
The main culprit really seems to be wide swings in humidity and those of us in the north have to battle that even if we don't ever take the instruments outside. Low humidity, such as occurs in homes in the winter, causes major shrinkage, which can really stress the wood.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-06-09 19:46
Black plastic instruments can absorb a LOT of heat, especially from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight - so much, in fact, that they can and sometimes do become soft enough to bend. California summers commonly reach into the 100s. A bent plastic horn is an unusual occurance but it has happened... to one of mine. It's a time-intensive chore to get 'em straightened out again, as you might imagine... ![[frown]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie2.gif)
Because of what Dee says - I guess - I've never had a problem with heat or cold with a wood horn played outdoors, although I also wouldn't advise using your best one ouside - better to borrow a beater than put it at risk.
Be careful out there, kids. Be nice to your horn and it'll be nice to you.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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