Clarinet | Gable Music

Wooden Clarinet

October 11th, 2010 admin No comments

What do I need to do to maintain my wooden clarinet?

I have a care kit, but I dont know what I need to to to keep my clarinet in good shape.

Yes, you need to get bore oil. To apply it, get a swab specifically for bore oil (a clarinet swab. It’s a handkerchief sized piece of cloth with a string attached to it to pull through the middle of your clarinet’s parts).

Put a little on the swab and swab though all the wooden parts of the clarinet (put in from the bottom of the pieces and pull out of the top). You can also use the swab to lightly oil the outside of the clarinet (be careful for the pads and springs). Don’t too this too often though. Every now and again…..not everyday.

Other things you can do to keep your clarinet in good shape:
- Get a separate swab to clean the inside EVERYTIME after you play
- Get a soft cloth to lightly wipe the keys
- Check your rod screws and make sure that they aren’t coming out (an eyeglass screwdriver can do this. NOT TOO TIGHT!)
- Make sure your rods aren’t getting bent up
- Check you pads for tears, rips or holes
- Make sure your springs haven’t come loose (they look like needles)
- be careful for the keys that extend between the top and bottom joints (they can easily get bent)
- NEVER get it wet (if it does, IMMEDIATELY pat it dry with a towel)
- try to keep your corks greased (with cork grease)
- TWIST to put it together and pull apart (NEVER PUSH OR SHOVE THE PARTS)
- ALWAYS store it in it’s case
- Keep it away from extreme temperatures (never leave it in your car!)
- Salt air isn’t good for it (prolonged exposure)
- NEVER LET ANYONE ELSE PLAY IT (unless they’re trying to fix it and they KNOW what they’re doing)

Low G Grenadilla Wood Clarinet (WIN148)