wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The swab is a cleaning cloth with a cord or string on one end so you can pull it through each clarinet segment, except for the mouthpiece since you already cleaned that. But, how do you go about it? 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In this step, we want to make sure that all keys are working correctly. By regularly disassembling your clarinet and cleaning each piece with swabs, oil, and a little water, your instrument will last much longer and sound beautiful. If you have anything thats more persistent, you can dip a cotton swab in a little vinegar to help loosen it up. Next, rinse out the mouthpiece water. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If the Q-tip doesnt come out clean, repeat the cleaning process until you are satisfied with the results. You should clean your instrument after you play, and cork grease it at least once a week. If the Also remove items that you want to keep in the case just set them aside. For a few small stains, use a cup (8 ounces) of water and about an ounce of dishwasher soap. Wipe down all the body and keys with a polish cloth to get rid of any dust, moisture, or oils from your fingers. As youve cleaned your clarinet from top to bottom, you may have spotted some problems with your instrument. Do I have to replace it? For any plastic mouthpieces like beginner clarinet and saxophone, wed recommend using steri-spray, since alcohol can make a plastic brittle or discolor. Use a soft-bristled brush and a mild cleaning solution to clean the keys and rods of the clarinet. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If you see any spots that you missed, you can use a cotton swab (yes, like Q-tips for ears) to get the tricky spots. A baby toothbrush can also be used to remove limescale. Once it is clean and well lubricated, remove the excess oil and store it in its case. Using a soft cloth or paper towel, wipe everything dry. And now I know how to clean it. With a pull-through swab thats dry and clean, apply a few drops of bore oil near the string (this is where having a second swab comes in handy). Then, disassemble your clarinet, and place the reed in a reed holder to dry. Except for the mouthpiece, dont ever wash any part of the clarinet with water since it can damage your instrument and can cause mildew. 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. A dirty cloth will put germs and saliva back onto the reed. Clean the mouthpiece at least once a week. Regular polishing, swabbing, dusting, and oiling will make your instrument last longer, but obsessive polishing and dusting will wear down the finish on your keywork. This can damage the pads, causing the instrument not to play at all, and actually accelerate mildew growth. Fortunately, it's easy to do preventative cleaning on your clarinet that can prevent build-up that would affect the instrument. Just dont do this too often as excess grease can weaken the cork. Here are the 10 steps to properly clean your clarinet and then well go into each of these in more detail. Are the pads mouldy? Even though your instrument is in its case, it can still be damaged by heat and moisture depending on where its stored. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Does it look clean or do you see spots or some other kind of buildup? Spray down the entire mouthpiece and let it air dry. 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 Use the small brush in your Clarinet Care Kit or a baby-size soft toothbrush to clean the edges and surfaces. Wait another couple of hours and if you see wetness within the bore this time, the wood has saturated as much as it can. The bacteria can produce local infections in the mouth, in the gastrointestinal tract, and in the respiratory tract, Glass tells Shots. For any remaining spills or unknown spots you can wash small areas of your case with warm water, liquid dish soap and a cloth rag. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. To clean the reed, soak it in mouthwash for about 1 minute then rinse it under warm water. Spray what you can with a 20% bleach solution. Starting with the mouthpiece, gently twist as you separate each section: the mouthpiece first, then the barrel, the upper joint, and finally the lower joint from the bell. After the clarinet is cleaned and dried, reassemble it. The spores that can begin to grow are everywhere as you suggest but may reside for long periods of time in the oil and dirt that accumulates on the outside of wood clarinets especially in the pores of the wood. If you have any question on clarinet parts, please see the Clarinet Anatomy section below. Of course, youd have to do that before you take your clarinet apart. Use canned air on the interior of the keys with posts in them and in the empty screw sockets on the clarinet. In this case, 83% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Remove all the keys and rods from the clarinets body. Disinfect your mouthpiece. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. If youre missing any cleaning supplies or accessories, visit our clarinet product page. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. How often should you clean your clarinet? You can then remove the clarinet reed. This twisting motion will more evenly distribute the oil. Rub gently on the area and rinse well with warm water, mopping up the rinse water with a dry towel as you go. Dry with a cotton or microfiber cloth, starting at the base going to the tip in one movement. When using hydrogen peroxide, ensure to rinse the reed thoroughly to clear its strong odor and taste. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This can be especially bad if you just ate or drank soda before playing since tiny food particles or sugars will be within your saliva extra food for bacteria. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Both of these brushes are gentle enough to not cause scratches but will do the job. To clean it up, connect the lower joint, barrel, and upper joint then place a small amount of bore oil on a cotton swab and pull it through the instrument. Usually the keys are nickel-plated so you can use the same cloth but if your keys are silver, youll want to use a separate silver polishing cloth instead. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If you do not have a mouthwash, you can use hydrogen peroxide mixed in hot water. Rinse and inspect. 1.1 Step 1: Gather Your Materials 1.2 Step 2: Disassemble The Clarinet 1.3 Step 3: Clean The Body 1.4 Step 4: Clean The Keys And If there is any glue, rub the affected parts with a toothbrush dipped in cooking oil. 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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Wiping and polishing the body and metalwork isnt just about making your clarinet shine and look its best. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. DO NOT WASH the rest of the clarinet using water this can damage the pads that cover the tone holes. Also check for any dents or bent metalwork. Scrub with a brush or scouring pad. It is a good idea to rinse the mouth piece with cold water. For the upper joint, lower joint, and bell, youll want to inspect each piece and then apply bore oil as needed to give the wood inside the clarinet a protective finish. You can prolong the life of the pads and reduce your repair shop costs and time away from the instrument. So repeat the process with a few more drops of oil and pulling the swab through. Sometimes, when playing the clarinet, the condensation buildup does not leak out. If you are missing any of these items, click on the links above or you can pay a visit to our clarinet supplies page where you can find more information, including kits to save money. 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). Regularly cleaning your clarinet will prevent small issues from developing into larger symptoms that may cause your clarinet to not play properly. You can also use mouthwash like Scope or Listerine, since its an antiseptic that kills up to 99.9% of germs. Last Updated: September 23, 2022 When it comes to cleaning the mouthpiece, you will need to use a mouthpiece brush or a toothbrush. All you need is soap, a bathtub and some fluffy towels.) 3. You may use a lint free cloth to clean the outside of your instrument. Saturate the mouthpiece in mouthwash or Sterisol. Doing this, protects the wood used on your clarinet from absorbing too much condensation and eventually cracking. You may want to pick up any extra moisture that you see on the keys while youre at it. DeRoche) - https://amzn.to/3fblw1XBaermann Scales (ed. First, gently wipe the clarinet with the polishing cloth to remove any surface dirt. Id like to share that information now with you. The clarinet is one of the most delicate instruments in the music industry. Use the swab to remove moisture from each of the clarinet joints before you put the instrument in its case. **Lesson times are not guaranteed. This can make it difficult to take apart your clarinet and if the cork becomes brittle and breaks off, can affect the sound of your instrument. In that regard, you need to clean it regularly and maintain it well, so that it can remain durable, functional, and reliable for a prolonged period of time. Read on to find out! By cleaning your instrument, youre removing any buildup and possibly bacteria growth and mold. If your clarinet is very dirty, it's probably time to bring it to your local music store repair shop. Take the pieces apart and dry the tenons (these are the places where the joints of the horn fit together). To remove moisture and keep the clarinet bore clean, place the clarinet swab string through each section. You should clean your instrument after you play, and cork grease it at least once a week. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Repeat the cleaning process multiple times until there is no moisture left in the clarinet.
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