Really enjoyed the above video of avoiding cracking on wooden clarinets. Learned a lot from it. Oh and please don't stop making these invaluable videos we can all learn so much from them. Thanks again
I just ventured into wood clarinets for my son. I had watched this video prior to buying, and found myself coming back to it when his barrel ring came loose. Thank you so much for doing these videos!
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
please continue the videos, I find them very helpful. can you do a video on vintage clarinet care? I have a vintage buffet crampton, can you talk about the history of them?
Watching this vid for interest in my 45' Boosey & Hawkes 8-10 (only a slight crack in the bell but coming from a chewed up pads and case by insect by way of Columbia S. America and noticed in my neighbor's yard sale, then rebuilt the rusty springs et al) I wonder if I should oil it up? Then trying out a half dozen mouthpieces/reed strengths etc. before re-corking a Debut for my 56' Conn director (larger bore) your mention of "plumbers tape" (I have a plethora of,) used it to test my Debut on the Conn. Thanks after the 2011 fact of this vid. Always a nuggets of useful info from all of your endeavors to wit.
Please continue the vids...I purchased 400 (plastic, rubber and a few wood models) from a pawn shop going out of business. Any tips are needed, wanted and appreciated. Thanx
I enjoy (and am enjoying) your videos! I'm learning a lot about Clarinet care and maintenance! Is there any benefit to having tone holes undercut and if so, how does it affect the air flow to change the tone.
@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.
Interesting. Got my first ever crack in the top joint of my Buffet E13. Does not extend into bore but will need to be pinned, l think. I read that the newer Wood Buffets had an additive that made the tenons stick. This happened to mine. Gone off wooden clarinets. Let’s face it, when clarinets first appeared wood was the only material apart from metal. Now we have better, more modern materials .
@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.
@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.
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?
@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.
I have a brand new buffet R13 and the wood has expanded cause it's moving toward fall and winter. If I push my barrel or the bell all the way in it cannot come off. I know I need to get it repaired by shaving down some of the wood but how do I get the barrel of when it is stuck
Though I am still very much an amateur in playing, I've made the switch to a wooden clarinet from my newer Selmer, substituting a Czechoslovakian made instrument of a much earlier time. It been little played for decades, and the metal components are in good repair, even if the cork joint seals and the hide pads will require replacement. I'm presuming the adhesion of both those things were done with the traditional shellac method. As the wood is still undamaged is it even feasible to treat the barrel, joints, and bell with natural oils while I clean them. I know that alcohol is NOT a good choice for woods as it dries ever thing it touches as it evaporates while drying. Please suggest something that will clean and preserve what is still intact.
I have a wedge crack in the F# chimney that can actually swing back and forth with minimal pressure using a tiny screwdriver. Simple suggestions for repair?
My clarinets get a white-ish film on the wood. I keep them well humidified but I still have to use almond oil to get rid of the residue. Do you have any advice on how to deal with this better? Why does it happen??
Thanks, I have been super paranoid that my clarinet will crack, I like the orange peel Idea but I'm a bit weary of the citric acid in the peels, do I have nothing to worry about?
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.
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.
So then why do your G1 wood clarinets have metal ends on the upper & lower joint? By the way I know you are a genius and I have & love alot of your clarinets.
I don't always have total control of production on every point. Some things are set because that is how the factory has done things for some time. If I had my druthers I would now have metal end caps.
Hi , A question : if the clarinets are forgotten in the car during the night, is this a problem for the Wood? They where in the case of course. Summer- so no extremely low temperatures, but in can get a bit cold during night even in summer. I had a look but they seamed to be ok. I know cracks mostly has to do with sudden changes in temerature as you say, but I got a bit worried still.... Best Joachim
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.
