How to Care For and Clean a Clarinet

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By cmanny
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Care For and Clean a Clarinet

Clarinets are beautiful instruments. But, to keep them sounding amazing, a clarinet owner should follow these steps to ensure that their clarinet sounds its best, and lasts a lifetime.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Clarinet
Clarinet Case
Reed Guard
4 Reeds
Swab
Cork Grease
White Vinegar
Water

Step 1

Always keep your clarient in its case when not being played.

1. Always leave the clarinet in its case when you are not playing it! If left out, it could be damaged. When you are finished playing your clarinet, put the reed in its guard, and put the cap on the mouthpiece. If you have to walk away for a couple minutes and come back, it is acceptable to put it on a flat surface, away from hazards. Put the reed facing up when possible. Nobody wants to play with a dirty reed.
Step 2

Grease corks weekly!

At least once a week, you should grease the corks on your clarinet. Use good quality cork grease to do so. If you neglect to grease your corks, the instrument will be difficult to put together and take apart. If you leave the corks un-greased for too long, the corks will come off, and they will need to be replaced.
Step 3

Protect your reeds!

Reeds are a very important part of the clarinet. You should replace them every couple of weeks or if they break. It is good to have four reeds on hand, because reeds are pretty easy to break. Reed guards are also a good idea. One good one can usually hold two to four reeds.
Step 4

Clean your clarinet regularly!

It is very important to clean your clarinet often. While you are playing, moisture builds up in the clarinet. If left for too long, this can result in mold and eventually bad sound. To prevent this, you should wipe out your clarinet after you play. You will need a swab to do this which can be bought at most music stores. You can either use a push through swab or a cloth that is attached to a weight with a string. Push through swabs can be kept in the clarinet for storage. Make sure your swab gets air so it can dry out. You should clean your swab at least once a month.
Step 5

The mouthpiece is the part of the clarinet that gets the most moisture buildup. You can clean it up by using a mouthpiece brush. They are specifically designed to clean the mouthpiece. If you do not have a mouthpiece brush, you can always use your swab. Both types of swabs will fit through the mouthpiece. If your mouthpiece is extremely dirty, and your swab just isn’t doing the trick, you can use a cleaning solution made of lukewarm water and white vinegar. Mix three parts water and one part vinegar in a cup. Hold the mouthpiece vertically in the solution. Make sure the cork does not get wet. The vinegar might dissolve the adhesive, and the cork can come off.