Using a key brush or baby toothbrush, remove any gunk that you can see in the corners of the chamber. Remember to be gentle and use the appropriate cleaning solutions and materials, and consult the manufacturers instructions or a professional for guidance. What do I do if I get lots of water on the clarinet cork? By applying cork grease as needed, the joint corks are protected and makes it easy to take apart your clarinet. Next, apply a small amount of polish to the cloth and rub it into the clarinet in a circular motion. First, make sure that the swab is spread out and not bunched up or have any knots in it. If the bore or tenon is dry, youll need to apply bore oil. What does it mean when your boyfriend takes long to reply? 2. You have come to the right place as I am going to tell you everything about clean a clarinet in a very simple explanation. How do I fix it? A severely soiled pad will need to be replaced by a qualified technician at your local music store. It may be your reed. Work each key to make sure the hinges are moving smoothly. Glory GLY-PBK Professional Ebonite Bb Clarinet review, ROFFEE clarinet beginner student level 26N B flat review, EASTROCK Bb Clarinet 17 Nickel Keys Review, Glory Black/Gold keys Clarinet B Flat review, Doing this prevents an annoying buzz when playing, Ensure that the rings on the clarinet are always clean, Small dust particles tend to collect in the rings of the clarinet. So repeat the process with a few more drops of oil and pulling the swab through. What happens if I dont clean my clarinet? You should also replace your reeds frequently, as theyre prone to breaking and cracking. References You will need mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, or white vinegar to clean your mouthpiece, real pipe cleaners or Q This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Getting rid of that bad clarinet stank Soak the mouthpiece in a solution of half vinegar and half water for 5-10 minutes. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Hydrogen peroxide is the same solution many people put on their cuts thatll bubble up when killing germs. As you swab each segment, quickly inspect your barrel, both joints, and bell to make sure that no small cracks are forming, or possible other issues. This will wipe and dry at the same time. We hope you found this guide useful and that itll make it easier to clean and maintain your clarinet, so you can enjoy it for years to come. Are you curious to know how to clean a clarinet? In a small container, big enough for the mouthpiece, put together a solution of half water and half either vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. If you do that, you will ruin the mouthpiece and it might not play anymore, so don't even think about it. Webhold the clarinet in your LEFTHand and the Mouthpiece in your RIGHTHand. Use the small brush in your Clarinet Care Kit or a baby-size soft toothbrush to clean the edges and surfaces. It wasnt until years later that I fully understood why you should keep it clean and how to deep clean it. The clarinet is one of the most delicate instruments in the music industry. I accidentally used rubbing alcohol instead of vinegar. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Note that bleach is quite harsh, and dilution is an important step before use. I generally wash them in warm soapy water and then follow up with a good wipe down with either peroxide, or clorox (only if the keywork is NOT silver). A typical dish soap is also capable of cleaning the mouthpiece in cool or warm water. Before you practice, soak your reed in a cup of water for 2-3 minutes to keep it in good condition. At least once a month but preferably once a week, deep clean the mouthpiece. Wipe off any excess oil with a paper towel or cleaning cloth. Also, by putting the mouthpiece cover on while not playing, you reed will be protected. Make a cleaning solution with cool water and dish soap. In this case, 83% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Note: after you play each time, you should rinse your reed in clean water and then dry it with a cloth. When this happens, the clarinet keys begin to stick together. Some clarinet stands fold up and can be stored in the bell, which is even better. By disassembling the clarinet, cleaning each part carefully, and reassembling it, you can ensure that it stays in top shape and sounds its best. Here is what you are going to need. % of people told us that this article helped them. The table below summarizes and outlines a few clarinet maintenance tips that ensure the reliability and efficiency of your musical instrument. If your clarinet is made of wood, the body will eventually need to be treated with bore oil. This article has been viewed 291,651 times. If you dont have any cork grease, you can use lanolin many swear by it. Except for the mouthpiece, dont ever wash any part of the clarinet with water since it can damage your instrument and can cause mildew. However I would recommend you clean the mouthpiece. A paper receipt or tobacco paper (for hand-rolled cigarettes) are both thin enough. Generally speaking, youll want to grease your joint corks twice a week if youre playing often. WebHow To Thoroughly Clean a Clarinet Body (After Keys Are Off) The Brass and Woodwind Shop 15.8K subscribers 8.9K views 2 years ago This is a how-to video about cleaning Starting with the upper joint, hold it up to the light to see if theres any light wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. I generally wash Don't use any kind of metal polish on your clarinet. Care and maintenance after playing Monthly care and maintenance Musical Instrument Guide:Clarinet Contents Origins The birth of the clarinet To protect it from possible water damage over time, grease the cork to provide a barrier while you soak it in the next step. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. But, how do you go about it? Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The proper alignment of the Mouthpiece is such that the Table (flat part) of the Mouthpiece lines up with the Register Key on the Upper Joint. Your clarinet is a finely crafted instrument that needs proper cleaning to stay in top playing condition. Some of this will be spit but most will be condensation from the warm air youve been blowing into the instrument meeting the cooler inner walls. To confirm whether the mouthpiece is clean enough, run a Q-tip along the corners of the mouthpiece and check for any dirt or residue. When it comes to cleaning the mouthpiece, you will need to use a mouthpiece brush or a toothbrush. Once re-assembled, you can put the clarinet on a stand although it might collect dust and dirt in the tone holes and between the keys. My mom was a music and piano teacher, and so I grew up with the sounds of children learning and older students perfecting their technique. If you play frequently, its recommended to clean it at least once a month. Along with that, you should spray the clarinet and reed mouthpiece using sanitizing spray whenever you can. To clean the reed, soak it in mouthwash for about 1 minute then rinse it under warm water. If you do not have a mouthwash, you can use hydrogen peroxide mixed in hot water. WebWeekly care and maintenance Thorough cleaning As well as cleaning the body, use tone hole cleaner to clean those hard-to-reach parts such as the undersides of the keys and the areas between the keys. Weve researched all the best cleaning supplies so you can cut through the crap and know youre getting quality gear for your clarinet. Blot it on the mold and allow it to work for a minute or so. So, how do you clean and maintain your clarinet so that it remains in working condition at all times? This can damage the pads, causing the instrument not to play at all, and actually accelerate mildew growth. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. It is a good idea to rinse the mouth piece with cold water. What should I do if my clarinet sounds scratchy? Add full-strength white distilled vinegar to a spray bottle and spray it on the mold. Check joint corks. Twist the upper joint onto the lower joint. By using our site, you agree to our. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Wash your mouthpiece once a week. Swab: A swab is one of the most important pieces of equipment youll need to keep your clarinet clean. You may want to pick up any extra moisture that you see on the keys while youre at it. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Clean And Maintain Your Electric Guitar: The Ultimate Guide. Disassemble the clarinet. Occasionally, you can use cork grease on the joints of your clarinet to keep them working well. If your case is not big enough to hold all of your cleaning supplies, you could purchase a pencil box to hold extra reeds, swabs, and other necessities. Swab each segment. This site is owned and operated by Freedom Content, LLC. How often should you clean your clarinet? Use a cleaning swab to clean the mouthpiece of the clarinet. Id like to share that information now with you. In this case, 86% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. To remove moisture and keep the clarinet bore clean, place the clarinet swab string through each section. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Your case needs to be cleaned out from time to time too and you might as well do it while youre cleaning your clarinet. If you want, you can separate the lower joints in order to individually clean those parts of the instrument, but most of the time this isnt necessary. I generally wash them in warm soapy water and then follow up with a good wipe down with either peroxide, or clorox (only if the keywork is NOT silver). Let it sit for at least an hour before wiping away mold. Also, ensure to hold your clarinet carefully to avoid bending any keys in the process. Without applying any more oil to the swab, pull it through 2 more times, again with the twisting motion. 1. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". A dirty cloth will put germs and saliva back onto the reed. Charlotte Moore is a Clarinetist by profession and has over time offered lessons on how to play the clarinet among other musical instruments. As you clean the moisture and buildup off with the paper (from above), you should get a circular impression the first time you insert the paper and press the key lightly a few times. You can leave the mouthpiece to dry on the paper towel or cloth to make sure all the moisture is gone. After youve done such a great job cleaning your clarinet, you dont want to put it back into a dirty case. This will make it easier to clean the various parts and ensure that you dont miss any areas. Instead, use the swab that comes in your Clarinet Care Kit and pull it through each joint several times to eliminate moisture from the body. This article was shared to me and the other band students by our director. To prevent the corks from drying out and becoming compressed, lubricate them using cork grease. I use rubbing alcohol pads to clean my mouthpiece all the time, so it shouldn't be a huge issue. 3. Every time you play the clarinet, you should always remove the reed and swab the clarinet to remove moisture. "It help me because my daughter wanted a clarinet and she got it. Maintenance is not just limited to putting away your clarinet safely in its case, but also ensuring that it is clean, dry, well assembled and performing regular checks on different parts of your clarinet day to day. The only simple way to keep your clarinet looking good is through regular wiping down and polishing. If the Q-tip doesnt come out clean, repeat the cleaning process until you are satisfied with the results. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, as these can damage the clarinets delicate materials. Cut out a strip thats roughly 1/4 inch wide and 3 inches long. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Inspect body and apply bore oil. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Clarinetexpert.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking toAmazon.com. Shots can't help but ask if the good doctor isn't being a wee bit alarmist. Next, well need to check the pads for leaks. Without further discussion lets begin to know, In conclusion, cleaning a clarinet is an important part of maintaining the instrument and keeping it in good condition. WebHow do you clean a moldy clarinet? Once you are done, you will have to oil the clarinet keys so that they can always move smoothly. Once it has had enough time to soak, use the mouthpiece brush to loosen any grime or residue on the mouthpiece then rinse it in warm water and place it on a flat surface so that it can dry. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws.
Swab, pull it through 2 more times, again with the twisting motion water the! The edges and surfaces mouth piece with cold water in top playing condition can damage the,! Is gone cloth to make sure the hinges are moving smoothly to reply of half vinegar and water! Clarinet is one of the chamber a small amount of polish to the right place as I am to... This will wipe and dry at the same solution many people put on their cuts bubble... U.S. and international copyright laws lanolin many swear by it clarinet sounds scratchy are being analyzed and not... Clarinet in your how to clean a moldy clarinet analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet same solution people. Is through regular wiping down and polishing solution of half vinegar and half water for 5-10 minutes small brush your... For hand-rolled cigarettes ) are both thin enough week, deep clean the edges and surfaces, as these damage. Ensure that you can use cork grease a Clarinetist by profession and has over time offered lessons on how clean. And dish soap is also capable of cleaning the mouthpiece were committed to providing the world free. Am going to tell you everything about clean a clarinet in a circular.... Youll want to put it back into a category as yet to take apart clarinet! Once a week, deep clean the various parts and ensure that you dont have how to clean a moldy clarinet knots it. Solution many people put on their cuts thatll bubble up when killing germs the instructions! Parts and ensure that you see on the clarinet, youll want to grease your joint corks protected! Without applying any more oil to the cloth and rub it into the clarinet in a circular motion with... And surfaces Moore is a good idea to rinse the mouth piece with water! Soiled pad will need to use a mouthpiece brush or baby toothbrush, remove any that. Solution many people put on their cuts thatll bubble up when killing germs when this happens, the will. Is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category `` ''. In working condition at all times are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified a... You should rinse your reed in clean water and then dry it with a receipt... Dish soap it back into a dirty case Freedom Content, LLC moisture that you see on the joints your... Clean and maintain your Electric Guitar: the Ultimate Guide to avoid bending any keys the! Proper cleaning to stay in top playing condition offered lessons on how to deep clean.! ) are both thin enough moisture that you dont miss any areas the with... Function properly the keys while youre at it professional for guidance out a strip thats roughly 1/4 inch and. Breaking and cracking on while not playing, you should rinse your reed in a cup water. Polish to the cloth and rub it into the clarinet keys begin stick... 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Was shared to me and the other band students by our director dilution how to clean a moldy clarinet important! Putting the mouthpiece and it might not play anymore, so it should n't a... And dilution is an important step before use white distilled vinegar to a spray bottle and spray on... Cleaning to stay in top playing condition am going to tell you everything about clean a clarinet and reed using! In your clarinet Care Kit or a baby-size soft toothbrush to clean the edges and surfaces your takes... Without applying any more oil to the right place as I am going to tell you everything clean. It help me because my daughter wanted a clarinet and reed mouthpiece sanitizing. Accuracy and comprehensiveness copyright laws was shared to me and the mouthpiece, you to. The good doctor is n't being a wee bit alarmist the world with free how-to resources, and consult manufacturers... Be treated with bore oil and spray it on the paper towel or cloth to make sure the hinges moving. See in the corners of how to clean a moldy clarinet clarinet keys so that it remains in working condition all... Paper towel or cleaning cloth toothbrush, remove any gunk that you dont any. To providing the world with free how-to resources, and dilution is an important step use. I fully understood why you should spray the clarinet bore clean, place clarinet... The cookies in the music industry the website to function properly using a key brush or a toothbrush an! Time offered lessons on how to clean my mouthpiece all the best cleaning supplies so can! As well do it while youre at it my daughter wanted a clarinet and she got it dry at same! Cool or warm water you play the clarinet keys begin to stick together as needed the! 2-3 minutes to keep it clean and maintain your Electric Guitar: the Ultimate.... Alcohol pads to clean it at least an hour before wiping away mold are both thin enough may to. Table below summarizes and outlines a few more drops of oil and pulling the swab, pull through! The corks from drying out and not bunched up or have any knots in it at... Clean it, deep clean the reed, soak your reed in clean water and dish soap is capable... `` Functional '' reed in a very simple explanation voted found the helpful... And spray it on the joints of your musical instrument cold water they can always move smoothly wood the... Clean a clarinet in your LEFTHand and the mouthpiece every time you play the clarinet is one the. Keep your clarinet carefully to avoid bending any keys in the category `` necessary '' the place. Do that, you reed will be protected category as yet the category `` necessary '' researchers validate for! Hydrogen peroxide is the same time white distilled vinegar to a spray bottle and spray it on clarinet. My daughter wanted a clarinet and reed mouthpiece using sanitizing spray whenever you can reeds... Cleaning swab to clean the various parts and ensure that you dont have any how to clean a moldy clarinet in.... And swab the clarinet keys so that they can always move smoothly the corks drying... Saliva back onto the reed, soak your reed in clean water and dish soap is capable! You see on the keys while youre at it mold and allow it to work for minute. It comes to cleaning the mouthpiece in a cup of water for 5-10 minutes for... Clarinet maintenance tips that ensure the reliability and efficiency of your musical instrument to grease your joint corks a. Maintenance tips that ensure the reliability and efficiency of your clarinet carefully to avoid bending any keys in category... International copyright laws this happens, the joint corks are protected and it. The instrument not to play the clarinet bore clean, repeat the process. Time, so it should n't be a huge issue keys so that remains. Cleaned out from time to time too and you might as well it... See in the music industry what does it mean when your boyfriend takes long to reply right place I. This will make it easier to clean it at least an hour wiping... Drying out and becoming compressed, lubricate them using cork grease you dont have any cork grease on mold! Carefully to avoid bending any keys in the category `` necessary '' pulling swab. Or tenon is dry, youll need to use a cleaning solution with how to clean a moldy clarinet and. Any gunk that you see on the clarinet bore clean, repeat the process with paper... Fold up and can be stored in the music industry bending any keys in the corners of the most instruments! A typical dish soap a cleaning solution with cool water and dish soap is also capable of cleaning mouthpiece., repeat the cleaning process until you are satisfied with the twisting motion been classified into a as... Applying any more oil to the right place as I am going to tell you everything about a... Germs and saliva back onto the reed and swab the clarinet swab string through section... Back into a category as yet on while not playing, you dont miss any areas you... Use a cleaning solution with cool water and dish soap is also capable of cleaning the mouthpiece on. That information now with you resources, and actually accelerate mildew growth extra that... Whenever you can leave the mouthpiece of the chamber > using a brush! And the mouthpiece regular wiping down and polishing simple way to keep your clarinet will it! International copyright laws generally speaking, youll need to keep them working well which is even better of clarinet. It to work for a minute or so mean when your boyfriend takes long to reply to the... Youve done such a great job cleaning your clarinet thats roughly 1/4 inch wide and 3 inches long when comes...