Assembly
Before you open your clarinet case, be sure that it is right side up. When possible, avoid touching the keys when you are putting your clarinet together. When joining the lower and upper joints, you must press the rings of the top joint. Do this carefully so you do not bend any keys. The joints of the clarinet should twist together easily. If you have any difficulty, grease each of the tenon corks. Wipe off any excess grease so it doesn't get on the pads or in the key mechanism. If corks are dirty, clean them before applying new grease.
Tuning
The clarinet is tuned by adjusting the length of the instrument. To lower the pitch, lengthen the instrument by pulling the mouthpiece out, leaving a small gap between mouthpiece and barrel. To raise the pitch, push the mouthpiece in. Some teachers prefer that you tune by pulling out or pushing in between the upper and lower joints. Ask your teacher which method he or she prefers.
After Playing
Moisture left in the instrument after you have finished playing will cause the pads to deteriorate. Swab your clarinet each time you finish playing. There are two kinds of swabs available for the clarinet. The most common is a cloth attached by a string to a weight. The weight is dropped through each section and the cloth pulled through. The other kind of swab is a brush type that is pushed through each section and left for storage in the upper or lower joint.
Wipe the keys with a cloth to remove finger marks and acid left by perspiration. This acid will tarnish the metal if it isn't removed.
Remove your reed from the mouthpiece and place it in a reed guard. This will extend the life of the reed. Swab out the mouthpiece. Leave the ligature on the mouthpiece to keep it from getting bent, and be sure to replace the mouthpiece cover on the mouthpiece.
Always keep your clarinet in its case when you are not playing it. Never put anything into your case that it was not designed to hold because the pressure from papers or music can bend the rods and keys.
Regular Maintenance
Try to keep dust from accumulating in the key mechanism of the clarinet. If you are extremely careful, you can use a small brush or cotton swab to clean under the keys and rods. If this is not done with great care, springs could be pushed out of place, or bent. Vacuum your case several times a year.
Do not polish the keys. Use a cloth to wipe off moisture and finger marks after playing.
Once or twice a year apply a small amount of thin key oil to all key joints, roller joints, and posts.
Under each key is a pad that seals the tone hole when the key closes. If pads stick, they are dirty. To clean the pads, place a piece of absorbent paper, such as lens paper for cleaning camera lenses, under the pad, close the key, and pull the paper through. To keep pads clean, don't eat candy or chew gum before playing! Pads can and should be replaced after several years of use, but this is expensive, so make them last as long as possible.
Wash the mouthpiece regularly with luke-warm water and clean it using a mouthpiece brush.
Care Supplies
1. Swab
2. Cloth
3. Thin key oil
4. Cork grease
5. Absorbent paper, such as lens paper
6. Mouthpiece brush
Handling
The clarinet is a delicate instrument which must be handled carefully. Do not let anyone else but your teacher play your clarinet. If you must set it down during rehearsal or during practice, put it on a flat surface with the keys up. Never leave your clarinet on a music stand. The clarinet is an expensive instrument-not a toy-and should be handled with care.
Special Care For Wood Clarinets
Wood clarinets are very sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. The wood will crack easily if exposed to any temperature or humidity changes. If the instrument is cold, don’t play it! Warm air going into a cold instrument, will immediately cause the wood to crack and split. Never leave the instrument in a car! Cars experience too many temperature changes, and can get very hot or very cold. Also, do not store the clarinet near a heater or air conditioner.
