When you stop playing the clarinet, the instrument needs proper cleaning before putting it back in the case to remove the saliva deposited inside and keep it clean and shiny. The clarinet is a delicate instrument, if you want it to play well you have to keep it in good condition and be careful when putting it back.
Steps
Step 1. After playing, remove the reed and place it in a reed holder to dry
Put the tool in a place that is neither too hot nor too cold. To prevent it from falling, do not let the clarinet rest on the tip unless you have a suitable stand that can hold it straight (there are some that can be folded and stored inside the bell).
Step 2. Use a cloth to remove fingerprints from the binding and keys
Then, carefully put the cloth back in the case. Do not use any type of metal polish (unless the clarinet is completely metal, such as silver) or other types of substances on the instrument, use only some lubricant or cork grease. The lubricant will make the keys softer, the cork grease makes assembly easier and prevents the cork from drying out completely.
Step 3. Wrap the stick with the cloth and insert it into the clarinet, starting from the bell and reaching the mouth
Do this several times. Separate the various components and dry the tenons (the joints where the various parts of the instrument join). Then, let the wand dry before storing it in the case, otherwise you risk the keys becoming discolored.
Step 4. Get some cork grease
Lubricate the cork parts by sprinkling grease on them with your fingers. There are many different types of cork grease, but the most common has the appearance of lip balm. However, the latter does not adequately replace the cork grease, and vice versa the grease risks being poisonous if ingested, so be careful not to confuse them. You must NOT use grease every time, not even very often, or the cork will weaken and eventually crumble. Check the cork parts regularly, and when necessary apply the right amount of grease depending on dryness or wear. It may happen that you need to lubricate them more often in the dry winter months, or when the instrument is difficult to assemble or disassemble.
Step 5. Take the cloth you use to clean and wipe the keys to remove dirt and fingerprints
Then, if necessary, get a duster. The duster you will need is a kind of long, thin, twisted stick, with a small brush-like tool at one end, and another that looks like a small toothbrush at the other. Gently scrub under and between the keys with the smaller end, and brush off the dust with that as a brush. Pay close attention to the note holes you cover with your fingers, as they often fill up with dirt and debris. After fixing this particular area, you may need to give the tool another pass. It is also the best time to oil the keys if necessary.
Step 6. Make sure to sweep the inside walls of the clarinet with the wand, with or without cork, to remove excess saliva present
Step 7. Use a cotton swab from time to time and wipe the outside and inside of the mouthpiece to remove any dirt that settles on it
Step 8. Put the mouth guard over the mouthpiece, then return the tool to the case
Keep the case in a sheltered place. Also, if necessary, remove the mouthpiece to run hot water through it, then dry thoroughly.
Step 9. Finished
Advice
- Regular cleaning, dusting, and lubrication will make your tool last longer, but too much care will wear out the finish around the keys.
- Before playing any wind instrument, make sure you don't have bits of food in your mouth; this could cause the instrument to sound inadequately and lead to all kinds of disgusting creatures (such as worms) living in your instrument.
- From time to time, you will need to take your clarinet to the store or to a repairman. Some resellers may contact you for a recall when it's time for a checkup, otherwise bring it once every 6-12 months (maximum 2 years) or sooner if you find something is wrong.
- Some people recommend cleaning each piece separately instead of the whole tool.
- Purchase a clarinet stand. They are perfect for when you want to store the tool, as there is no risk of it falling and breaking. Thanks to the support you don't even have to hold it in your hand to clean it; just leave it leaning and get to work! Some holders are foldable can be tucked into the bell, which is even better.
- For cleaning the mouthpiece, it is a good idea to soak it from time to time in a cleaning solution to remove calcium deposits. The easiest way to do this at home is to mix three parts of warm water and one part of vinegar in a cup, placing the mouth in an upright position. Make sure that the amount of liquid is not deep, otherwise the part of the cork in the mouthpiece will get wet, which is not good.
- An alternative method of cleaning the clarinet is to purchase pad protectors, which look like large pipe cleaners. Just insert them and store the instrument inside the case. They absorb moisture from the inside, so you don't have to waste time scrubbing. Furthermore, the bearing protectors last a long time, if used with care. They exist for both the top and bottom, and some stores even have particularly small ones for the mouthpiece. If the clarinet is particularly wet and you want to dry it, insert the cushion protectors. However, these are not particularly recommended for wooden clarinets because, despite removing the humidity from the internal chamber of the instrument, they still trap a part of it that remains inside the clarinet, not being able to evaporate. Trapped moisture can cause more damage due to the expansion and contraction of the wood than not cleaning the instrument at all!
- Shoulder bags are the best. They are much easier to carry, and it is difficult to drop anything hanging from your back.
- Use the pointed end of a fabric to absorb moisture from the mouthpiece, but not from inside the opening under the reed. You can also do this with a mouthpiece brush, which looks like a giant toothbrush (if you've ever worn braces, you know what they're talking about). Brushes of this type, however, are not highly recommended, as they alter the internal dimensions of the nozzle in the long run.
- If your clarinet is made of wood, lubricate it every two weeks. Then, pass the wand from the cylinder to the bell (by rotating it, so as to guarantee total coverage). To oil the joints, take a cotton ball, put a drop of oil on it and rub it over the joints. Blot off the excess with more cotton. Leave to dry overnight (preferably disassembled out of the case). Do NOT put bore oil on plastic or metal clarinets as this can be extremely harmful to your instrument!
Warnings
- Be very careful when handling the reed. Reeds are paper thin and easy to break or chip. However, when they start to go gray, it's time to change them.
- Do not put any part of the instrument, except the mouthpiece, in your mouth. It may seem obvious, but many people like to blow into holes, thus forming a hard, greenish substance on the keys. If you want to dry note holes, use a soft cloth (such as lens cleaning) or the brush end of the stick.
- Wind instruments must not get wet. As long as they moisten a little, the pads covering the holes will absorb the water and become larger and heavier, no longer able to cover the holes properly.
- DO NOT leave the reed in the mouthpiece. Removing the reed may seem like a waste of time, but if you don't let it dry after each use, it will get really disgusting and there is a chance it will get stuck in the mouthpiece. It also risks deforming or bending the tip of the reed, making it off-axis with respect to the mouthpiece and leading to a loss of sound quality.
- Make sure you scrape off any residue from the end of the mouthpiece.
- Spin the reed! This will make it last longer and help it sound better by allowing it to dry out. Get a small reed case - it will be more protected than the sachets they usually come in. LaVoz is especially recommended. Vandoren tend to dampen reeds if they are not dried thoroughly before storing them in the case. (Dry a reed = dry the flat, hard side on your pants to squeeze the spit out inside the reed and to remove the one on its surface. It can also be done on the smooth surface of the reed case, if you do the procedure before putting it away).
- Keep the reeds in a moisture-proof case for perfect protection.
- If your duster doesn't fit in a certain space, don't force it. You could damage the instrument.
- Try not to overturn or drop the case. The clarinet would surely end up breaking or getting damaged.
- If the wand gets stuck, DO NOT try to pull it out. Take the tool to the nearest tool shop and ask for help from a professional.
- Don't use too much oil on the keys. A drop on the affected area is enough.
- Do not open the case in a moving vehicle, as your clarinet may fly out of the window in the event of a sudden stop.
- Always smooth out the cloth of the stick completely, or it will get stuck in the clarinet.
- Don't press too hard when cleaning the keys, you could bend them all.
- Remember to change the reed!
- If you become a serious musician and also start playing a saxophone in the same concert, invest in synthetic reeds. They resist rubbing and do their job well.
- Do not use any kind of metal polish on the clarinet, it will damage the keys.
- Do not pass any kind of stick inside the mouthpiece.
