 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Le9669
Date: 2009-08-16 03:36
Hello
I just made a purchase of a brand new r-13 (bflat)
and started breaking in. I was wondering how long it would take for the instrument to "complete" its process so the "best" or "desired" sound to be produced, because right now it still seems resistent. Thank you in advance!
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-08-16 14:23
Well the brake-in period can take like 3 weeks or so starting by first week with around two 15 minutes sessions,one in morning other in the afternoon with many times pull through with a swab. 30 min next week and then one hour but for the clarinet to be fully played in and open up in sound would take around 6 months or so.
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Author: William
Date: 2009-08-16 16:45
My Buffet R13 is still getting better after 45 yrs. I can't wait for it to be it's "best".
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Author: Maestro_6
Date: 2009-08-16 17:30
I shared/am sharing a similar experience as Iceland. However, the first week, there was only one session of 15 minutes per day, then one session of 30 minutes per day the following week, and I added 15 minutes every week until I got to about an hour per day. The new R13's wood is not seasoned like the 1975 recently refurbished R13 I also acquire. Back then, the break-in process was not so crucial.
Buying the R13 last February, it is now six months old and much better than it was, but it has such a long road to go...
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-08-17 00:22
Everyone has their own idea on that. Basically just be patient. Play it a little bit each day for a week and add some time each week until your up to about an hour a day after a month or so. If it were winter I would suggest taking more time but in this weather it's fine. Any clarinet can crack no matter what you do, and any clarinet can not crack no matter what you do. Many times it's not what you do but what the clarinet gods decide to do. Just use common sense. ESP
http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-08-17 05:37
These things can be pretty random. The only clarinet I had cracked in the first few weeks was the only one I played very little when it was new. Only a few minutes a day and not even every day. I put it in the case, next time I opened the case, a couple of days later, it was cracked. So you never know. I consider it all a coincidence/luck and think there no is problem playing the clarinet regularly when it is new.
For the other part about the clarinet improving, I don't remember any clarinet improving by time alone. This is impossible. Something needs to happen, for example pad sealing better, which can only happen if they weren't exactly right in the first place. Or the bore slightly changing, but why would it necessarily change to a better shape? The most common is the player getting used to the instrument and know it better, so it is actually the player slghtly changing to make the clarinet better.
Post Edited (2009-08-17 14:52)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2009-08-17 13:27
I agree with Clarnibass.
Funny that the shift came with Ed's post. I think of letting the wood get used to the expansion and contraction of moisture/no moisture when thinking of a break-in period.
If a clarinet doesn't play the way I want it to play, I don't buy it.
That said, there are often many adjustments that can be made both small and large to a new horn, such as the pads not being seated correctly, the key or ring heights are too low or to high, THE SPRING TENSION being too much or too little (this varies from player to player but most manufacturers just make things WAY too "heavy"). And make sure you leave just a little play between the "A" key and the "G#" key or the "G#" key will be open slightly all the time.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Le9669
Date: 2009-08-17 21:36
Thank you all so much for the replies. I have one more important question though,
----> I see very little chips inside both joints and the barrel, there is one chip that has a line slightly longer than others... Is that suppose to be normal? or can it be cracking already?
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-08-17 23:40
tetina where in the world did you get that instruction ? This is ridiculously long brake-in time. No one around me I know have taken more than 1 month to brake in their clarinet and most of them have only taken 3 weeks to do so. Playing two sessions a day or so even the first week if you allow the clarinet to get good rest between is fine and remember to pull through with swab many times.
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Author: otakua
Date: 2009-08-18 23:16
lol le is that you. I finally found your bboard id ^^. How was your exam?
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