clarivid 81; avoiding wood clarinets cracking

[MrMozart14]

Thank you so much ! My bell ring had been so loose that it wouldn't even stay on one bit! I knew their was a video of yours about this some where on your channel because I absolutely love your videos and watch them a lot. I used one layer the Teflon tape. trimmed most of it off withe scissors and trimmed the rest with my thumb nail until it wasn't visible. its a long dead fact that you know the most about the clarinet andIi get all of my best research from you. thanks a LOT!

[RugbyFootballer]

I though you could use cork instead of plumber tape

[MrMozart14]

@RugbyFootballer teflon tape works great. Just apply one layer around the end after taking the ring off. Slip the ring on to the barrel with the correct side of the ring going in. Cut the biggest part of the axes with scissors and cut the rest of with your thumb or finger nail in between the seem. and there you have it, as good as new trust me. :D

[venskus2009]

so does the combo of swabing regularly and orange peels do beter? and is wood always in danger of cracking? with my double bass i hear the once the wood gets old enough, its likely not to crack. but what tips can you give me for keeping my bass clarient from cracking? and do you just put the orange peels in the case or do you have to protect the case from them somehow? i know, i kinda bombbarded you with questions. thank you.

[billyboy647]

@venskus2009 Orange peels work great in sufficient amounts. I place them, skins facing up, in the case--they do not harm anything. You can't depend on "it's old wood and won't crack." I had an A clarinet that had some years on it and it cracked. Clarinets are most apt to crack in times of extreme weather: cold and dry can be a serious problem...you need lots of orange peels in the case when you have extreme dry conditions-indoor heating and air conditioning can be a problem too.

[fryerre]

I have an older Leblanc that has a loose ring on the end of the bell (the bottom of the bell). Since it 'rotates' but doesn't slip off, I can't add teflon. Is the orange peel likely to help or is there another approach? I can't tell that it causes any tone alteration (buzzing or whatever) but it worries me.

[Hatetotoss]

Thank you - although the weather is warming for spring we purchased some oranges yesterday and will give it a try. Next year we'll start the process in the fall. I always wonder why nothing more than just running the micro-towel through and allow to air dry. I would have thought there would be monthly, quarterly or even just periodic procedures to keep the instrument stable and clean. Thanks for the prompt response.

[Hatetotoss]

Just found your videos and appreciate the time, expertise and humor you provide. My daughter is a 3rd year clarinetist (sp?) and has a wood clarinet that does bind a bit. This winter has gotten down to <20% humidity. We'll try the orange peels in the case but was curious about another tip I saw that suggested wiping the bore with furniture lemon oil. Is there any value or detriment to this? TIA !

[billyboy647]

@Hatetotoss Unless you're in a super dry area I'd forego the bore oil--it can't so any real harm, however.

The real trick is to keep the clarinet inside and outside balanced in humidity. Orange peels is the most effective and least expensive way to deal with it.

[toelam]

In a previous video you talked about exercises that Mr. Opperman would give his students that would improve specific technique. Could you show us some of those exercises along with what problems they're intended to correct?

[jazzforJamie]

You are so wright in what cracking comes from, Very Good conclusion!

I have two ebonit/plastic clarinets, so I ´m Glad in what You say today.

Thank´s BB

JDB

[klarinetta]

Here's a suggestion. Why not talk about in some details about the difference between open mouthpiece with long lay and closed mouthpiece with short lay taking into account they take about the same size of reed.

[osh0011]

@klarinetta it all really depends on what works best for YOU. if one mouthpiece was a one size works for all. There would be one mouthpiece in a music store. So go and test out which one works for you. It all also depends on the type of tone quality you want coming from the mouthpiece. like darkness of colour or brightness. I use a Vandoren M30 and it gives me all those tones. Only if i use different reeds for those tones. But I'm able to get a variety of tones with the different reeds.

[osh0011]

@klarinetta so just go and try out mouthpieces with bigger or smaller openings along with thickness in rails but remember the thicker the rails the more you sacrifice your articulation. so be careful with that. I hope I was able to help. Maybe Tom will see your question and will answer for you later.

[klarinetta]

@osh0011 This was just a suggestion as Tom wanted some topics to do a video about otherwise he could just stop making them.