 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tommo84
Date: 2015-10-11 14:33
Hallo,
I have purchased my first professional clarinet in january 2015.
I would like to know which is the Regular Clarinet maintenance routine that you apply to a new clarinet.
Besides the obviuos cleaning/swabbing, how do you often put some oil in the keys, or check the tension on the screws etc etc?
In the are no apparent problems, how often do you take the clarinet to a shop for a service?
thanks
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-10-11 15:29
Don't touch any screws unless any are backing out - rod screws should be finger tight, but point screws are sometimes adjustable so they have to be adjusted correctly so the keys mounted between them are neither loose nor binding solid.
The adjusting screw on the throat G# key should be set up so there's a tiny amount of free play between it and the throat A key, just to ensure the G# key is allowed to fully close. If there's no gap felt when operating the throat A key slowly, then the G# pad is in danger of being held open which will cause problems with response or the whole instrument to stop playing.
With regards to oiling the keywork, a little oil applied regularly will keep the mechanism quiet and fluid. Apply a SINGLE DROP of good quality key oil using a needle or with a syringe between every key rod and pillar about once every 1-2 months, but no more than that. Too much oil will make a mess and contaminate key corks/felts so they'll fall off or become sticky, so just apply the minimum so you don't end up with oil everywhere.
As far as servicing goes, it depends on how much playing you do. So I'd recommend a general service every 12, 18 or 24 months at most which will keep your clarinet playing at its best.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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