 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ChrisArcand
Date: 2007-01-14 17:24
I realize that this may turn into a big controversy on pads (as I know for a fact that pads are a touchy subject on this board! ), but I just want to know if anyone thinks/knows there is a problem with my F chalmeau/C clarion pad being closed while inside my case.
I have two little "nitches" I could put my lower joint in my case with, but one of them puts pressure in the wrong direction on my left side key (which moves the pad stated above) and looks to be a bad idea, while the other way pushes the key in the correct direction (but not with a lot of force, so no bending) but this of course closes the pad. When I put my clarinet together, sometimes the pad may be a little sticky, but not too bad and it seems to get better resonably quick. I don't know if this stickiness is just due to the pad being older or the case issue I speak of.
My case, unfortunately, has hard plastic underneath the soft material, so unlike my other case (styrofoam) I can't do a whole lot to adjust the case accordingly.
I am not really worried about key bendings assuming I put it in the way I have it, with the pad being closed.
Any thoughts, or is this just nothing to worry about and I shouldn't give it another thought?
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Author: William
Date: 2007-01-14 17:49
Closing pads while clarinet is stored doesn't bother me. However, stuck or noisey pads do. The stickiness you are experiancing is probably a result of contaminated condensation collecting of the pads while the instrument is cooling after being played. To avoid this dreaded occurance: 1) avoid playing immediantly after eatting or drinking. The saliva in your mouth may leak into your clarinet and cause many yukkie problems like sticky or crackling pads and order issues. To avoid any of these problems, always brush your teeth (and tongue) before playing. Personally, I absolutely will not play on any of my clarinets or saxophones without first brushing up. I carry toothpaste and brushes in all of my instrument cases--OCD helps!! 2) thoroughly swab your bore after EVERY performance or practice.
Some people use pad savers, but if you brush as swab religiously, they are not really needed. BTW, just remembered that a (very good) fellow clarinetist always stored her clarinets using pad clamps to keep them shut in the case. She never had stuck pads.
(also, your lower joint should only fit in your case one right way--be careful)
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2007-01-14 18:06
The urethane case tray moldings that I have encountered can be "eased" a bit to eliminate such problems, all without harming the lining at all.
Pull the tray with its lining cloth attached from the case, then identify where the problem "bump" is located. Once determined, you can cut through the tray from behind with a cutting wheel in a Dremel tool, taking your time and some trouble to ensure that you do not punch through the lining in the process. Once it gets thinned down enough, you can push from the front side to pop out the cutting, thereby avoiding cutting through the lining completely
Once you have opened a "window" in the tray at the offending point, it will no longer bear against the key in question. Problem solved!
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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