 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: georgE11
Date: 2004-11-07 20:21
Should I apply cork grease everytime I play my clarinet?
it's a brand new clarinet.
Thanks
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-11-07 20:36
On a "brand new", yes , later as needed for easy assembly/disassembly. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-11-07 20:58
I disagree. Apply cork grease when a particular joints NEEDS it, i.e. it is not assembling easily and smoothly.
It depends on many factors including how long the instrument is typically left assembled, the nature of the particular piece of cork, whether it is natural cork or a polymer-based one, the fit of the tenon, the materials of the tenon and socket, and most importantly, the quality of the cork grease.
Most cork greases supplied with instruments is poor cheap and poor. It tends to 'dry' to a gummy substance, which 'claims space' between the cork and the socket, and has high viscosity, which together over-compresses the cork, leading to ever-increasing attempts to overcome the gumminess by further applications of grease, and premature cork failure. In such cases, if all the gummy grease is removed, the joint slips together a lot EASIER!
The only good cork grease on the market that I know of are Alisyn, and the two products form Doctor's Products.....
http://www.doctorsprod.com/DrsProduct.html
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Author: georgE11
Date: 2004-11-07 23:50
How about wiping the cork grease after every use?
and what do you use to wipe it off?
my clarinet gets all greasy because some grease stays on in hard to get spots..
Thanks
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2004-11-08 01:47
Get some decent cork grease. Then you will need to apply FAR less, and there will be no excess to wipe off.
Lighter fluid on a tissue is good for wiping it off - after scraping off the large chunks!
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Author: Sarah
Date: 2004-11-08 03:05
When applying cork grease, also make sure not to put on too much. If you have a tube, the easiest thing to do it to put some on your finger, and then apply it to the corks. You should not be able to see any grease on the corks, but it should feel a smoother and easier than before.
I have never (well almost never) had to apply cork grease more than once every two weeks. Each clarinet and clarinet player will be different though.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-11-08 03:11
True, Gordon, IF used in excess and/or of poor quality. I thot the question indicated a "reasonable" approach to cork protection. I have found that new corks need to absorb enough C G [a few applications] to minimize friction tearing, while the cork is being compressed in continued use. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-11-08 04:22
The first cork grease I've been able to apply straight from the tube is Dr. Slick. Any of the generic grease I had to apply a tiny bit to my finger first, as Sarah suggests. Currently, I grease the cork 1-3 times a week, but I assemble my instrument up to 5 times a day for various practice sessions and rehearsals. The mouthpiece for me is a special case, greased almost daily, as we're playing a bunch of orchestral pieces that require frequent switches between the Bb and A, and my A barrel is a bit of a tight fit.
A teacher once recommended that I apply cork grease when putting the instrument away (if needed), rather than when putting it together.
I only wipe grease off if it gets gooey, or stuck in the corners of the joints, which doesn't happen often.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Jazzy04
Date: 2004-11-08 05:33
i have found that in Australia, la tromba cork grease is the best cork grease around. its thicker... u need less and it lasts a while
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2004-11-08 07:31
I always use la tromba cork grease, the best i've ever used..
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Author: georgE11
Date: 2004-11-08 14:34
Ok, thanks all, i'm going to go try to find some decent cork grease.. I just wish the tube it comes in was a bit smaller, about the size of the actual cork, but hey I guess i'll have to use a finger to apply it.
Thanks again.
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Author: jmsa
Date: 2004-11-08 14:47
Dr. Slick definately rules. Viva Le Doctor!
jmsa
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