Swab the entire clarinet while assembled. Afterwards, take the clarinet swab and pass it through the instrument from the bell to the top of the instrument. The swab is a cleaning cloth with a cord or string on one end so you can pull it through each clarinet segment, except for the mouthpiece since you already cleaned that. You have to dry your instrument out with a clarinet swab, so doing this while preventing the swab from getting stuck is very important.
$9.95 bg bb clarinet microfiber swab Using a soft cleaning cloth, wipe off any buildup. The clarinet is an amazing instrument, designed to produce a beautiful sound. Disassemble the clarinet, and pull the cloth through each piece, twisting it gently to spread the rubbing alcohol across all the interior surfaces. It is easier to thoroughly clean a bass clarinet that is separated into its component parts, as the swab can move more easily through shorter spaces. Use a polishing cloth to wipe fingerprints off the outside of each piece before putting them back in the case. Doing so will harm the wood and ruin the pads. Very absorbent, this swab features a tapered cut to limit the chance of getting stuck in the instrument. With a high quality swab and proper technique, you should feel confident that you are not harming your mouthpiece. Drop the clarinet swab string through each section and pull it through to remove moisture and keep the bore clean. This 100% silk swab is one of the best swabs available. If you separated the clarinet’s joints from one another, you can swab them individually this same way. You can dip the cotton swab in mouthwash, hydrogen peroxide, or sterisol as well. Turn clarinet upside down and put the weight of swab into the bell. The key is to use a swab which has no scratchy bits and is the right size and material. Polish the keys with the polishing cloth. However, take care in cleaning it with your clarinet swab. I clean my clarinet using two primary tools: Wash your mouthpiece once a week. These really are the best deal you can get when it comes to quality and price. The barrel and bell can be cleaned with a cleaning swab, but it will get stick in your mouthpiece, so use soap and water to clean the mouthpiece. Run the string through the bell and out the other end, then pull the swab through.ĭampen a soft cleaning cloth with rubbing alcohol and thread it through the clarinet's cleaning rod. Be careful not to scratch the mouthpiece by pushing too hard. Take the clarinet barrel and mouthpiece off (as a unit). After browsing a few clarinet forums and websites, it appears that there is no general consensus as to how often you should wash, launder, or replace your swab. Some clarinet swabs are made with a bare metal weight on the end of the string. Cleaning of the bell and joints can be done with a specialized swab on a string. Wash the mouthpiece with a solution of liquid soap and cold water. It has a string with a weight on the end so that the string can be dropped into the clarinet and the cloth pulled through. Also, your reed will get moldy and gross if you don't take it out every time you put your clarinet away. Immediately after playing, be sure to disassemble the reed and ligature from the mouthpiece and the mouthpiece itself.Ĭlarinet maintenance comes best with proper clarinet care. Use the swab to remove moisture from each of the clarinet joints before you put the instrument in its case.Īlso though, you shouldn’t swab the mouthpiece since it has a smaller opening and the cloth can get stuck and possibly cause damage. Then, disassemble your clarinet, and place the reed in a reed holder to dry.
They're not really expensive and if you feel you would rather have less trouble, buy a new cleaning cloth, i've had my buffet cleaning swab and really dirty from cork grease and wood stains in my clarinet for half a year already. Swabbing simply means to clean the inside of your instrument with the clean swab. Plus, it's just plain gross not to swab! The hodge premium clarinet bb/a swab is made from 100% silk for removing moisture from woodwind instruments after.Įvery week, the mouthpiece should be fully cleaned. Make sure the swab is spread out to reach as much of the instrument as possible. Usually, cleaning a clarinet means drying it thoroughly. This removes bacteria from the inside of the instrument. Your clarinet should receive a deep cleaning monthly.
Daily swabbing helps keep things clean and germ free. Q&f flute and clarinet swab has a weighted string and large, cotton cloth to keep your instrument clean and dry. Gently drop the weighted end of the swab's string through one end of each piece of the instrument and allow it to fall out the other end.