 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: lbstole
Date: 2025-11-03 22:02
Yesterday I played in our church's all Saints Day Service, where I played with the orchestra on the first two hymns, then had to sit for close to 40 minutes before playing again (only one of the pieces included clarinet). Because of where I was sitting, there wasn't an option to sneak to the back and blow a few notes before my piece came up. I was chatting with the horn player sitting next to me afterwards and she commented on how long I had to sit, and asked what I do to stay ready for those types of entrances.
Beyond blowing warm air through the instrument and trying to keep the reed moist without oversaturating it, what are your tips for those performances where you have to sit for a long time without the benefit of any warm-up within 10 or 15 minutes of coming in?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2025-11-03 22:54
Well that's really all I have..........blow warm air through your horn at intervals. Also make sure the keys are warm. Sounds stupid but I find that the horn stays more in tune if you the keywork (including posts, etc) are not cold to the touch.
Now if you're doubling on another instrument for the 15 min. there's only so much you can do.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: donald
Date: 2025-11-03 23:45
Here's a trick, but you need to be VERY discreet.... I'll wager a ha'penny bun that a number of the pieces played while you are waiting have loud sections, OR end on a loud cadence/note? You can very quietly play a note during such moments- best if it's one that harmonises with the music so if you don't have a good "jazz ear" then look over at the violin/flute music and check out what note/chord they're playing.
You have to make sure that you doesn't look very obvious, be discreet, but even in professional performances I've been able to use this to just get the reed moving etc It doesn't do much to keep the instrument WARM, but it means that the reed has moved, and you have got a feel for how resistant it is etc.
Another, more obvious, trick - if tuning is your concern - is to play with a slightly shorter barrel than you would normally use.
For example- when teaching I often use a 64mm barrel so that when I play to demonstrate things/joining in with student etc I'm not flat. If I end up doing a bit more, I'll pull out slightly. [note, I usually play with 65mm so if you usually use a 66 then 65 will probably do the job]
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Author: kdk
Date: 2025-11-04 01:14
Hold the instrument in against you, under your sweater or jacket if you're wearing either. If you're sitting around waiting in an area truly chilly or cold, one problem with blowing through the clarinet enough to keep it warm is that you can get a condensation buildup as well. Swabbing before you play next might remove some of the water, but if it drips into any toneholes while you're sitting and blowing, it can become a real nuisance.
The other approach might be simply to keep an extra barrel on hand for this kind of situation that's a millimeter or even more shorter than your regular barrel. Once you've started playing again, as your pitch starts to come back up , you can gradually pull the barrel out to compensate. You can eventually go back to your original barrel when your pitch comes up enough if you have a long enough rest or space between selections to make the switch.
Karl
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-11-04 16:01
Remove both the assembled mouthpiece and barrel as a single piece, wrap them in a cloth and hold onto them to keep them warm. Or better still, do the same but with the mouthpiece, barrel and top joint together and wrap them up in a cloth and hold onto that with both hands to keep half of your clarinet warm and prevent moisture from your hands condensing on the keywork. If you're wearing a jacket (which you should be in such conditions), tuck the assembled top joint under your arm.
Also helps to use a synthetic reed as cane reeds will dry out fast in cold conditions due to the low humidity levels, so if you get on well with synthetic reeds, they will get you out of a scrape.
If you're playing alto, basset horn or bass clarinet, keep one hand around the crook to keep that warm and your other hand around the top end of the top joint to keep that warm too especially where the speaker and throat Bb vents are so there's less chance of them gurgling if they're kept warm.
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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