Article-Wood

CLARINET WOOD CARE
by Tom Ridenour

Wood clarinets that are well made can be very good instruments. However, they are subject to the vagaries of their environment. They never "stand still" but are constantly changing to a greater or less degree, due to a variety of climatic and altitudinal factors. The wood most wood clarinets are made from is called Grenadilla or Mpingo wood and comes from northwestern Africa. The wood is not only ideal for tone, but just as importantly, also holds the exacting dimensions of bore and tone holes that are necessary to make the clarinet tune and respond as it should.

Once you purchase a fine instrument you want to do all you can to protect the wood from damage and insure dimensional stability. While there are no absolute guarantees that your clarinet will never change there are many things which can be done that will reduce such a possibility dramatically. As you will see, most of them are common sense.

1. Never expose your clarinet to extremes in temperature. Avoid keeping your clarinet near a heater or air conditioner vent.

2. Never leave your clarinet on a stand after playing it.

3. Always swab your clarinet out very well after playing.

4. Never leave your clarinet in an automobile in times of extreme heat or cold.

5. If your clarinet is exposed to cold do not play it until it is at room temperature.

6. Do not leave your clarinet in the sun or perform outside in direct sunlight for an extended period.

7. Always clean the sockets of the clarinet out after playing.

8. The rings of the clarinet are not just ornamental. They have the important function of supporting the wood during assembly of the joints in the sockets. Therefore, do not assemble the clarinet if the rings of the joints become loose. Take it to a repair tech and have the rings tightened.

9. If the throat "A" , register key, or side trill keys become stiff and sluggish in movement get the clarinet ASAP to a repair person to free the keys up and relieve the tension that is being put upon the wood.

10. To combat dryness during the cold winter months keep fresh orange peels in the clarinet case. This will properly hydrate the outside of the clarinet which is being dried out due to indoor winter heating.

11. Use a good bore oil periodically. What is recommended is a hydrophyllic oil made of vegetables or nuts. Avoid petroleums, which are hydrophobic oils.

If these guide lines are followed there is no reason your clarinet should not give you many years of joyful and trouble free music making.

	CLARINET WOOD CARE by Tom Ridenour Wood clarinets that are well made can be very good instruments. However, they are subject to the vagaries of their environment. They never "stand still" but are constantly changing to a greater or less degree, due to a variety of climatic and altitudinal factors. The wood most wood clarinets are made from is called Grenadilla or Mpingo wood and comes from northwestern Africa. The wood is not only ideal for tone, but just as importantly, also holds the exacting dimensions of bore and tone holes that are necessary to make the clarinet tune and respond as it should. Once you purchase a fine instrument you want to do all you can to protect the wood from damage and insure dimensional stability. While there are no absolute guarantees that your clarinet will never change there are many things which can be done that will reduce such a possibility dramatically. As you will see, most of them are common sense. 1. Never expose your clarinet to extremes in temperature. Avoid keeping your clarinet near a heater or air conditioner vent. 2. Never leave your clarinet on a stand after playing it. 3. Always swab your clarinet out very well after playing. 4. Never leave your clarinet in an automobile in times of extreme heat or cold. 5. If your clarinet is exposed to cold do not play it until it is at room temperature. 6. Do not leave your clarinet in the sun or perform outside in direct sunlight for an extended period. 7. Always clean the sockets of the clarinet out after playing. 8. The rings of the clarinet are not just ornamental. They have the important function of supporting the wood during assembly of the joints in the sockets. Therefore, do not assemble the clarinet if the rings of the joints become loose. Take it to a repair tech and have the rings tightened. 9. If the throat "A" , register key, or side trill keys become stiff and sluggish in movement get the clarinet ASAP to a repair person to free the keys up and relieve the tension that is being put upon the wood. 10. To combat dryness during the cold winter months keep fresh orange peels in the clarinet case. This will properly hydrate the outside of the clarinet which is being dried out due to indoor winter heating. 11. Use a good bore oil periodically. What is recommended is a hydrophyllic oil made of vegetables or nuts. Avoid petroleums, which are hydrophobic oils. If these guide lines are followed there is no reason your clarinet should not give you many years of joyful and trouble free music making.