How to Clean a Clarinet

The Clarinet is an expensive instrument and not a toy. It needs to be handled with care. Proper cleaning will cut the cost of repairs for the clarinet.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clarinet & Case
• Swab
• Cloth
• Thin key oil
• Cork grease
• Absorbent paper-lens paper
• Mouthpiece brush

1. 
   Use a push through swab to remove moisture from the clarinet.

   When you have finished playing the clarinet moisture is left behind in the instrument. The moisture will cause the pads to deteriorate. Swab the clarinet' s inside with a pull through swab (a cloth attached by a string to a weight) or a pushed through brush type swab (see picture). You may leave the push through swab in the clarinet for storage.

2. Take the cloth and wipe the keys on the outside of the clarinet. This will remove acid and finger marks left by perspiration which if left on the instrument will damage the metal keys.

3. Always remove the reed from the mouthpiece and place it in a reed guard. Swab the mouthpiece to remove the moisture. Leave the ligature on the mouthpiece to keep it from getting bent or damaged. Put the mouthpiece cover over the mouthpiece.

4. 
   Always keep your clarinet in a case when not using it.

   Always keep your clarinet in it's case when you are not using it. Keep other items out of the case that will cause damage to the keys of the clarinet. A bent key will render the clarinet useless.

5. Once a year you may place a small drop of thin key oil on to al key joints.

6. If a pad sticks and is slow at coming up, use the lens paper. Place the lens paper between the pad and the hole opening. Close the key pad and pull out the paper. Try the key. If it still sticks repeat the process several times to see if it will improve. If you do not have lens paper, you can use a dollar bill.

7. Above all, DO NOT CHEW GUM OR CANDY while playing the clarinet. The sugar in your saliva will work it's way to the pads and eat through the pads causing the clarinet to need and expensive pad replacement.

[edrush]

on 6/23/2009 By running the swab through the still-assembled clarinet, you leave the joints unwiped. I feel it's better to swab each section as you disassemble it, so you can dry the joints as well as the bore.

[MidniteWriter]

on 8/6/2008 I play clarinet (still) and this will come in handy. I don't know why more teachers don't enforce these rules. I am saving this! Thanks!
:)