Clarinet/Bass Clarinet Assembly, Care and Maintenance

 

Assembly

 

Before you open your case, be sure that it is right side up.  Try to avoid touching the keys when putting the pieces together on your clarinet.  Gently twist the parts together.  If there is any difficulty, apply cork grease to the corks.  Be sure to wipe off excess grease, so it doesn�t get on the pads or key mechanism.  When joining the upper and lower joints together, hold down the key rings on the upper joint.  Be sure the bridge key on the upper joint is raised and the lower joint bridge key is underneath, so they are positioned correctly.  Be careful not to bend the keys.  The lower bridge key is inserted under the raised bell key. Put the mouthpiece and reed on and you�re ready to play!  

 

After Playing

 

Be sure to swab the inside of your clarinet every time you finish playing.  There are two types of swabs- the most common is a cloth attached by a string to a weight.  The weight is dropped through each section and the cloth pulled through. Push-through swabs are available- they are designed to leave inside the clarinet, after swabbing with a drop-through swab.

 

Wipe the keys with a cloth to remove finger marks and acid left by perspiration.  This acid will tarnish the metal if it isn�t removed.  Remove your reed from the mouthpiece and place it in a reed guard.  This will extend the life of the reed.  Swab out the mouthpiece.  Leave the ligature on the mouthpiece to keep it from getting bent, and be sure to replace the mouthpiece cover on the mouthpiece.

 

Always keep your clarinet in the case when you are not playing it.  Never put anything in your case that it was not designed to hold.  The pressure from music or papers in your case can bend the keys and rods.  Vacuum your case when necessary.

 

The Reed

 

Always have 3 or 4 reeds that work well and alternate.  This extends the life of the reeds and you�ll always have a backup!

 

Regular Maintenance

 

Do not polish the keys on your clarinet, as this can ruin the pads and body of the instrument. Instead, use a cloth, preferably muslin, to wipe off moisture and finger marks.  Do not adjust the screws on your clarinet- only your teacher or a repairperson will know how to use them correctly. 

 

Wash the mouthpiece regularly with lukewarm water and clean it using a mouthpiece brush.  Be careful to keep the corks dry- water will damage the corks.

 

Under each key is a pad that seals the tone hole when the key closes.  If pads start to stick, it means they are dirty.  To clean the pads, place a piece of absorbent paper, such as lens paper, under the pad, close the key, and pull the paper through.  To keep pads clean, don�t eat candy or chew gum before or while playing! Rinse your mouth if you�ve been eating anything sweet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies Needed to Care for the Clarinet

 

1.  Lint-free cloth swab/drop-though swab, and/or push-through swab

2.  Clean cloth, preferably muslin (to clean keys and body of instrument)

3.  Absorbent paper, such as lens paper

4.  Cork grease

5.  Mouthpiece brush

 

Handling the Clarinet

 

Don�t let anyone but your teacher handle or play your instrument.  If you need to set it down during rehearsal or practice, put it on a stable, flat surface with the keys up.  Never leave your clarinet on a music stand.

 

 

Identification

Be sure your instrument has a tag identifying that it belongs to you.  Also, have a record of the serial number of your instrument for insurance purposes.