All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. In a small bowl, soak any reeds youve been using in a solution of half water and half either hydrogen peroxide or mouthwash. Shots can't help but ask if the good doctor isn't being a wee bit alarmist. If the Q-tip doesnt come out clean, repeat the cleaning process until you are satisfied with the results. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Work each key to make sure the hinges are moving smoothly. Starting with the upper joint, hold it up to the light to see if theres any light Use canned air on the interior of the keys with posts in them and in the empty screw sockets on the clarinet. This will also protect your keys against corrosion and stop any sounds the hinges may have been making. As you play, your saliva coats the inside of your mouthpiece (called the chamber) where it can build up and create an environment where bacteria and mold can thrive. Let it dry as you have been. 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. If there's only a small mold stain, you can try using a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. You should clean your instrument after you play, and cork grease it at least once a week. If you need a new case, check out our. What can I use to clean my clarinet mouthpiece? 3. With the mouthpiece, youll want to loosen the ligature screws and then lift the ligature up over the reed. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You can learn much more about various topics on prozgo.com. You can either soak your mouthpiece in these, or to use less, pour the mouthwash or Sterisol over and down into the chamber so that everything gets saturated. Spray down the entire mouthpiece and let it air dry. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Cleaning Your Clarinet Mouthpiece: Full Cleaning In Under 20 Minutes. Loosen the ligament. etc. Then using either a mouthpiece brush or a soft-bristle toothbrush, remove all gunk and limescale. The best way to use the OdorKlenz odor treatment on wood furniture is to dilute it according to package directions in a spray bottle, and thoroughly spray the inside of drawers. Pull the cord through and pull the cloth through, twisting it along the way. Blot it on the mold and allow it to work for a minute or so. 1. Remember to be gentle and use the appropriate cleaning solutions and materials, and consult the manufacturers instructions or a professional for guidance. This can damage the pads, causing the instrument not to play at all, and actually accelerate mildew growth. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Generally, you need to always remove the reed from the mouthpiece before putting them away in their case. Specialized swabs can be bought online or at music supply stores. Also, ensure to hold your clarinet carefully to avoid bending any keys in the process. % of people told us that this article helped them. A bad clarinet smell typically comes from bacteria or mold growing inside the instrument. Be careful to avoid getting any on pads or corks, since this can damage them. Last Updated: December 18, 2022 How Often Should You Clean Your Clarinet? You have come to the right place as I am going to tell you everything about clean a clarinet in a very simple explanation. **Lesson times are not guaranteed. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Clarinetexpert.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking toAmazon.com. For the mouthpiece, Id recommend vinegar because it will break down limescale, that white chalky stuff that builds up over time. If you see anything that youre missing, you can find them on our clarinet supplies page or can pick them up at your local musical instrument store. Its small size, tight fit in the case, and small vents (tone holes) trap any moisture left in the instrument when they player is done. Don't use any kind of metal polish on your clarinet. You may use a lint free cloth to clean the outside of your instrument. You could use micro fiber clothes that people also use for cars. Without further discussion lets begin to know, In conclusion, cleaning a clarinet is an important part of maintaining the instrument and keeping it in good condition. And now I know how to clean it. When using hydrogen peroxide, ensure to rinse the reed thoroughly to clear its strong odor and taste. Dry all items completely. Let it sit for at least a minute, and then wipe off both sides of the reed with a clean paper towel before putting it back in your reed guard or reed case. To confirm whether the mouthpiece is clean enough, run a Q-tip along the corners of the mouthpiece and check for any dirt or residue. To learn how to use instrument oil on your clarinet, read on! Use a Q-Tip damp with isopropyl alcohol to thoroughly wipe down the keys. I am a full time freelance musician; while this project is important to me, I would not be able to continue creating great content for the world without ongoing support from viewers. Finally, dry all the parts thoroughly before reassembling the clarinet. Also, you can use an eyeglass cleaner. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. PS, please share this guide with othersits a good thanks to us and well really appreciate it. Use the small brush in your Clarinet Care Kit or a baby-size soft toothbrush to clean the edges and surfaces. 4. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Wash your mouthpiece once a week. Inspect body and apply bore oil. Doesnt that feel great? The better the quality of your instrument, the longer it lasts. It is best to use a liquid soap and cold water solution to % of people told us that this article helped them. Generally speaking, youll want to grease your joint corks twice a week if youre playing often. Here are the 10 steps to properly clean your clarinet and then well go into each of these in more detail. Then, with each segment, drop the cord portion through the hole and then pull the swab through. Theres also a spray version of Sterisol that works great. Maintenance is not just limited to putting away your clarinet safely in its case, but also ensuring that it is clean, dry, well assembled and performing regular checks on different parts of your clarinet day to day. The only simple way to keep your clarinet looking good is through regular wiping down and polishing. If your clarinet is made of wood, the body will eventually need to be treated with bore oil. Use a few drops on a clean swab and pull it through the instrument. 5. Over time, you will eventually encounter a sticky key that doesn't open or close reliably. Some of this will be spit but most will be condensation from the warm air youve been blowing into the instrument meeting the cooler inner walls. Inspect your reed. For cleaning the mouthpiece, instead of using a mouthpiece brush, a baby toothbrush works just as well since the bristles are softer than regular toothbrushes. Take the reed off, gently dry it off, and store it in a reed case to prolong its life and prevent bacteria growth. Additionally, its important to use the appropriate cleaning solutions and materials to avoid any damage to the instrument. 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). Let it sit for at least an hour before wiping away mold. Another way to soak the reed is by placing the reed in your mouth for a few minutes, using your saliva to moisten the reed before playing. Once re-assembled, you can put the clarinet on a stand although it might collect dust and dirt in the tone holes and between the keys. Heres a few additional tips that you may find useful. Over time, the cork can dry out or break down. WebHow do you clean a moldy clarinet? Replace your mouthpiece patch. Soak the reed in a cup of water before playing. The reed has the most impact on a clarinets tone and is essential to the clarinets sound. Be especially careful when handling the reed because it is very fragile. Soak the reed for two-three minutes before each session. [6] Make sure to get into all the crevices and corners, and pay special attention to the tone holes and keys. 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 A baby toothbrush can also be used to remove limescale. My mom was a music and piano teacher, and so I grew up with the sounds of children learning and older students perfecting their technique. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. It was a huge help, thank you. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Occasionally, you can also choose to use a disinfecting wipe or cloth that has been lightly sprayed with disinfecting spray. Clean inside each of the tone holes, making sure to get inside the undercut spaces. To clean a clarinet mouthpiece with vinegar, first remove the mouthpiece from the clarinet. After one use, furniture should be ready to go and odor-free. For any plastic mouthpieces like beginner clarinet and saxophone, wed recommend using steri-spray, since alcohol can make a plastic brittle or discolor. A clarinet is a delicate and intricate instrument that requires regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it in good condition. Mix a solution of 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water, which can be sprayed directly on the mold. Once you are done, the last step would be to oil the bore of your clarinet using bore oil. Do not use the swab to clean the mouthpiece, as you may end up altering the shape of the mouthpiece or damaging it entirely. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. You can leave the mouthpiece to dry on the paper towel or cloth to make sure all the moisture is gone. So, how do you clean and maintain your clarinet so that it remains in working condition at all times? Are the pads mouldy? Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. If your case is not big enough to hold all of your cleaning supplies, you could purchase a pencil box to hold extra reeds, swabs, and other necessities. ", "This website helped me find out how to clean my clarinet! This affects the sound of your instrument and can even make you ill. With dedicated rinsing and drying, your clarinet can sound beautiful for years to come. Rinse with cold water. The reason why Charlotte prepared comprehensive experts touching on the various facets of the clarinet. If the mold and mildew are in the wood body of the clarinet it will require a complete teardown to rid it of the majority of the offensive substance. In this case, scrub the reed using your fingertip to remove the lip balm/stick film. To remove moisture and keep the clarinet bore clean, place the clarinet swab string through each section. Once you The table below summarizes and outlines a few clarinet maintenance tips that ensure the reliability and efficiency of your musical instrument. By using our site, you agree to our. Keep the Q-Tip wet, and do not force it inside a tone hole if it will not go in. How to clean and disinfect your clarinet. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). That way youll have a back up when if youre washing one. Scrub with a brush or scouring pad. Doing this, protects the wood used on your clarinet from absorbing too much condensation and eventually cracking. The music store has a small toothbrush and a small brush that can be used to clean the mouth. Along with that, you should spray the clarinet and reed mouthpiece using sanitizing spray whenever you can. To clean the reed, soak it in mouthwash for about 1 minute then rinse it under warm water. If you do not have a mouthwash, you can use hydrogen peroxide mixed in hot water. Be very careful when handling the reed. To learn how to use instrument oil on your clarinet, read on! Clean the mouthpiece at least once a week. Youll be surprised at how quick the whole process goes. Use a polishing cloth to wipe fingerprints off the outside of each piece before putting them back in the case. Spray what you can with a 20% bleach solution. WebThis thread suggests washing the clarinet with warm soapy water, then bleach or peroxide (dilute to a safe concentration), rinse and repeat. Fully drying and a light oiling. Wooden or plastic? This article has been viewed 91,494 times. If youre missing any cleaning supplies or accessories, visit our clarinet product page. For a clarinet, youll want to use an M oil (for medium). Charlotte Moore is a Clarinetist by profession and has over time offered lessons on how to play the clarinet among other musical instruments. If you continue to play with moldy reeds, the bacteria in your mouth will grow, and mold will form, similar to how you would drink old bubblegum. Be sure to polish the entire surface, including the keys. Be sure to remove any dirt or grime that may have accumulated on these parts. How do I take the polish off my clarinet mouthpiece to make it look rustic? If the mold and mildew are in the wood body of the clarinet it will require a complete teardown to rid it of the majority of the offensive substance. Youll save money. "I am in a marching band during the coronavirus pandemic and needed to know how to thoroughly clean my clarinet. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. References A typical dish soap is also capable of cleaning the mouthpiece in cool or warm water. This can damage the tone holes! Everything you wanted to know about cleaning and taking care of your acoustic guitar in one place, with links to more in-depth articles if you need them. These may loosen on their own over time. We recommend cleaning your clarinet every week for the best results. Find out more about me, and get in contact by clicking the button below. Mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus. ", "It told me what to do. "Good reminder to clean more often. When it comes to cleaning the mouthpiece, you will need to use a mouthpiece brush or a toothbrush. Sometimes, when playing the clarinet, the condensation buildup does not leak out. By cleaning it often, you easily avoid any intonation problems, Ensure that the tubing of the tone holes are always clean, The tone holes for keys #9, #10, and #12 need to accumulate dirt easily. Take a bit of the vinegar and pour it on the rag. If you have any question on clarinet parts, please see the Clarinet Anatomy section below. Once it is clean and well lubricated, remove the excess oil and store it in its case. You will need mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, or white vinegar to clean your mouthpiece, real pipe cleaners or Q The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Also, by putting the mouthpiece cover on while not playing, you reed will be protected. Cut out a strip thats roughly 1/4 inch wide and 3 inches long. If you do not clean your clarinet regularly, black mold tends to build up inside it and it can cause a condition known as Saxophone Lung that can make you sick. Here are a few steps you should follow when cleaning your clarinet; To start cleaning your clarinet, start by disassembling it into its 5 separate pieces. Sanitizing the caseI mostly wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. What does it mean when your boyfriend takes long to reply? Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Purchase a clarinet stand. 1 How To Clean A Clarinet? How to clean and disinfect your clarinet. Take clarinet apart. To prevent damage, NEVER spray directly on the instrument. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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