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Dollarhide's Music Center, Pensacola, FL
Maintenance Recommendations
by
Floyd Replogle
Woodwind instruments with mouthpieces:
Clarinet, Saxophone:
EVERY DAY -
Glance at the
instrument to check for loose or missing screws. Check
especially the top key stack pivot screw, and the bottom key
stack pivot screw(s).
Wipe excess moisture from the
instrument bore and wipe fingerprints from the exterior
surface.
Remove the reed from the mouthpiece and wipe
excess moisture from it.
Carefully place the reed in "reed
keeper". Mold will quickly grow on the underside of the reed
if it is not removed from the mouthpiece and dried.
Carefully place the instrument in the case, checking for weak
or broken case latches.
Avoid placing excessive amounts of
"stuff" in the case that might damage the instrument.
DO NOTs -
Do not place the instrument on a music stand, chair,
bed, or other surface from where it can fall or where it can
be sat upon. Most instruments are damaged from falling or
being dropped or being crushed.
Always hold the instrument,
have it held by another player, or put it in the case.
Do
not overly twist or play with the Saxophone neck screw.
Constant tightening and loosening will wear the soft threads
and cause it to unscrew and be more easily lost.
Do not
attempt to adjust the instrument. Adjustment screws become
worn with constant tightening and loosening.
Do not brush
against the exposed pad surface while cleaning or polishing
the instrument. The pad skin is easily worn and contact will
cause premature failure of the pad.
Do not use abrasive
polish on lacquered brass, silver or nickel finishes. Abrasive
polishes remove the protective lacquer finish and promotes
dulling of the finish. Residue from the polish coats the pads,
encourages "rusting" of the hinge rods and pivot screws.
Overuse of polish causes unattractive accumulation under the
keys and is difficult to properly remove.
Do not allow the
instrument to become water-soaked. Rain water and excessively
damp weather will cause pad failure and "rusting" of pivot
screws and hinge rods.
Do not over-oil the keys. Excess oil
can penetrate the pads and corks. Excess oil will dissolve
glue and cause key corks to fall off the instrument. A small
drop of oil at each pivot point is all that is needed. Do not
oil the keys more often than once a month. If your band
director prefers that you do not oil the instrument, refer to
a qualified repairman.
Do not wash the mouthpiece in water
that is so hot you cannot place your hand in it. Use liquid
soap and avoid getting the cork on clarinet mouthpieces
soaked. WARNING: extremely hot water will warp mouthpiece tips
and ruin the mouthpiece.
DOs
Do keep a small soft cotton
cloth in the instrument case or available to wipe fingerprints
off the instrument and use to clean the bore. A few drops of
plain water on the cloth will help clean fingerprints off the
instrument. Avoid contacting the pad surface or key corks
with the cloth.
Do use a small, soft paint brush to
carefully remove dust from under the keys. Be very careful to
avoid breaking off the small key corks.
Do avoid contact
with the pad surfaces and key corks when cleaning or polishing
the instrument. Key corks regulate the proper height of the
keys and silence the metal-to-metal contact when the
instrument is played.
Do learn to properly oil the pivot
points and hinge rods. Oil not only lubricates moving parts
but also coats the hinge rod and pivot point metal - reducing
oxidation - and helps avoid "rusting" or corrosion caused by
moisture and bi-metal contact.
Do keep a mouthpiece cap on
the mouthpiece when the instrument is not being played. Damage
to the reed and mouthpiece will be avoided.
RECOMMENDED
ACCESSORIES:
Handkerchief-size soft cleaning cloth
(periodically cleaned in the clothes washer)
Swab cloth for
cleaning bore.
Key oil (use sparingly)
Reed Keeper
(metal or plastic reed holder which allows reeds to dry)
Cork Grease (use sparingly - overuse will effect cork glue and
cause tenon corks to come off.
Mouthpiece brush
MOST
COMMON REPAIR PROBLEMS:
Clarinet - loose middle tenon cork
Bent keys (bridge, C#, Ab)
Missing pads
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