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Dollarhide's
Music and Sound
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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