 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kamran
Date: 2023-01-08 14:43
Hi guys,
I will be moving to the UK in the coming months to begin my studies and I was wondering what precautions I should take when bringing it over from Singapore, especially given the weather (Singapore is very hot and humid compared to the UK).
I already know about bubble wrapping the instruments to be safe, but do you normally bring it as carry on, or does people usually put it in their check in luggage?
With regards to the weather, not sure how it will affect it. For context, I own a Buffet RC Bb Clarinet bought in London in October 2014. When I first brought it into Singapore, I had serious problems with the cork expanding and getting the parts stuck together (ended up having to replace all the corks). Will going back to the UK cause any issues for it?
Thanks!
Post Edited (2023-01-08 14:46)
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2023-01-08 22:14
Hi Kamran,
That's great that you are coming to the UK. I hope you have a wonderful time here.
Would it be possible for to say which month you are moving, and to which part of the UK? Also, what the temperature and humidity is in the indoor location where you store your clarinet normally?
I looked up the annual weather graphs for Singapore. The weather seems to be pretty much the same all year round, with the temperature being about 25C-30C or 75F-90F, and the humidity being about 82%-86%.
In the UK, our weather varies radically from one season to the next, and also in different locations in the country, so it would be great to know where you are coming to, and when you will arrive. However, you can generally expect the humidity to be much lower here.
If it's likely that you will need corks changed it might be good to book in with a tech in advance, before you come, as waiting lists for good techs here can be long.
Perhaps someone more experienced on the forum could say how long it is likely to take the clarinet to stabilise in the new conditions, so that you can make a booking to have it seen just after that?
There's a list of some of the good UK techs on this thread: http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=500742&t=500741
I hope your move goes well. :-)
Jen
Post Edited (2023-01-09 01:02)
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Author: kenb
Date: 2023-01-09 02:22
Carry on. But if you have a screwdriver, pack it in your luggage for the hold.
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Author: kamran
Date: 2023-01-09 05:54
Thanks for the replies, noted on carry on, but will need to figure out how to pack it inside my bag as most airlines don't allow any more carry-ons on top of the instrument, as they count that as 1 carry-on bag :/
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Author: kamran
Date: 2023-01-09 05:57
Hi Jen!
Thanks for the reply!
I will be going to Birmingham (although I may go to Manchester and Canterbury, Kent, to visit family first beforehand!). Will most likely go in mid to late August, although there is a *slim* chance i may go in June, but this is unlikely at the moment.
Thanks a lot for your help!
Kamran
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2023-01-09 10:57
Hi Kamran,
That sounds really great. Those are all lovely places, with nice people who will make you feel welcome, and lots of fun stuff to do.
If you are arriving in August or June then that is an ideal time really, for your own adjustment, as our weather will be a similar temperature to yours. It gets very cold in winter, but it will be easier for you to adapt if you start in summer.
You can get the local weather for Birmingham here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2655603
The weather trends are here:
https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/uk/birmingham/climate
Birmingham is much wetter, I think, than London. I see from that page that the humidity even in August is around 70%, so you may actually be okay. Perhaps the clarinet will not change much?
It would probably be good to book in your clarinet for a check-up a little while after you arrive, just in case. The best techs often have a 2 month waiting list.
When you arrive, you might also like to buy some special clothes called "thermal base layer" for when winter comes. They help a lot with the cold.
Good luck and I hope you have a wonderful time.
Jennifer
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Author: ACCA
Date: 2023-01-09 13:05
"I was wondering what precautions I should take [in the UK], especially
given the weather"
use your embouchure to create a stiff upper lip ;-)
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Author: m1964
Date: 2023-01-10 10:57
if you do not have room in your carry-on bag, a clarinet case would qualify as a "personal item" which are supposed to be placed under the seat in front of you; however a clarinet case would be easy to fit into the overhead bin on top of your carry-on suitcase. That is the US standard, not sure about UK/Singapore.
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