 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ruben
Date: 2025-07-19 18:14
The weather is hot here in Paris -it's getting hotter every year-so when, I practise, there is very little condensation in the bore of my clarinet. I've often noticed that this makes it play better. My conclusion: when there is considerable condensation in the bore, swab it out several times during a practice session; gently, so that you don't bring about wear and tear and change the bore's dimensions. Am I right or wrong? (if I'm wrong, it won't be the first time!)
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-07-19 19:25
I'm still getting gurgly speaker tubes and condensation collecting in high level toneholes (and waterlogged 8ve vents on both saxes and oboes) even in this heat.
Why are these things defying physics?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2025-07-19 19:50
I think humidity is as much a factor as temperature.
Tony F.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2025-07-19 22:34
also....... if the wood of your clarinet (or whatever material it is made of) happens to be COOLER (due to air conditioning) than the air you blow into it 98.7 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.05 Celsius) then you'll experience condensation.....like the water that drips off a cold glass onto your best wooden furniture.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-07-19 23:33
We don't have air conditioning in the UK.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2025-07-20 01:50
Chris P wrote:
> We don't have air conditioning in the UK.
I feel bad for you and Ruben.
It seems to me that if a pad is leaking ever so slightly, the tone hole is more likely to get moisture. Not talking about the "usual suspects" C#/G# and side Eb/Bb
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2025-07-20 06:40
I played with a dry bore once...he sat 1st chair. I didn't feel my clarinet played any better than usual though. Ha!
Fuzzy
;^)>>>
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Author: ruben
Date: 2025-07-20 09:46
Even aside from the problem of condensation guzzling in the toneholes, a dry bore makes for better tone. At least that is my impression, and it rather stands to reason.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: ruben
Date: 2025-07-20 10:10
In Europe, we play in a lot of cold, barely-heated churches in winter. Thus, we get a river flowing through the clarinet because of condensation. I make generous use of my swab, even between movements.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2025-07-20 18:17
Sound travels 4.3 times faster in water than in air. I wonder how a clarinet would sound with the entire instrument immersed in water.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2025-07-20 19:33
Philip: It would sound like Acker Bilk was playing it.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: donald
Date: 2025-07-21 01:30
nice one Fuzzy
Meanwhile.... "I make generous use of my swab, even between movements." here in NZ - 20 bars rest is just enough time to whip out the swab....
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2025-07-21 12:29
The speaker tube on my Patricola C seems to collect a lot of water. Blowing that out seems to help a lot.
A top pro told me he left the barrel on when swabbing the bore. He noted the wear on the top of the bore due to frequent swabbing. By leaving the barrel on, the wear was in the barrel, which could be replaced, rather than the top joint of the instrument.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-07-21 15:25
I've been coating the inside of clarinet speaker tubes (and oboe/cor 8ve vents) as well as the toneholes (both inside and out) with Renaissance wax to see if that helps reduce condensation collecting in them. The logic being the water droplets shouldn't stick to it and should run out much easier. Seems to work and as it's a dry wax, it won't collect dust and other debris like oils or grease and shouldn't cause pads to stick.
I also seal the bases of sockets with beeswax or paraffin wax as well as the ends of wooden tenons to prevent water soaking into the end grain. Some makers lacquer the end grain, but that gets chipped or flakes off over time when it's much easier to reapply wax and then smooth it down.
I've seen mouthpiece rails damaged by being swabbed out with a pullthrough or scratched up on the inside with twisted wire core mops, so don't do that. Just run lukewarm water through your mouthpiece and dry it with a paper towel, but don't scrub the rails or the table in the process - pat or blot the rails and table dry.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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