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WOOD INSTRUMENT CARE | |
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STOP AND READ BEFORE ASSEMBLING YOUR INSTRUMENT! ASSEMBLY Proper assembly is very important to help maintain your instruments regulation. This may seem elementary, but sometimes overlooked by the best players. To view slide show demonstrations with photographs of proper assembly please visit our informational web portal at http://homepage.mac.com/philipmuncy and select the appropriate instrument assembly. WOOD The finest woodwind instruments in the world are made from wood. Most are made from Dalbergia Melanoxylon more commonly known as Grenadilla. Some are made from (Dalbergia Nigra) Rosewood and (Dalbergia Retusa) Cocobolo. These woods are the most stable woods available for instrument making. Although these woods are the most stable they still are affected by moisture. MOISTURE When instruments age they generally become more stabilized. All woods breathe however, even instruments that are 100 years old. When the wood breathes it absorbs and releases moisture. The wood expands when the wood absorbs moisture and contracts when the wood releases moisture. When playing the instrument you are introducing an increased amount of moisture to the wood. Climate also affects the moisture content of the wood. You may find it difficult sometimes assembling and disassembling your instrument when the joints become tight. This is not unusual for new instruments, and can also occur to an older instrument as well. This is a direct result of the moisture content of the wood. I suggest maintaining the instrument when not playing at approximately 70% humidity at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Your instrument has been stored and regulated in this environment at Muncy Winds Music Co. WHAT TO DO IF JOINTS STICK If your instrument is difficult to assemble or you are unable to disassemble the instrument it is due to swelling and/or contraction of the wood due to playing, climate, or both. Swab the instrument thoroughly and refrain from playing the instrument for 48 hours. Place the instrument in a warm dry location away from heat or air conditioning vents or returns. Do not place the instrument in a closed case during this period. Ordinarily this will reduce the moisture content in the wood enough that proper assembly/disassembly is possible. If you are still unable to assemble/disassemble it may be necessary to seek professional assistance. This is a minor procedure, but should be performed by a professional. It requires the removal of a small amount of wood between the tenon and the socket. Muncy Winds uses the manufactures tools for this procedure. This is not something covered under the manufactures warranty. It should only involve a nominal charge in most cases plus shipping and handling. BREAKING IN I do strongly suggest breaking in the instrument gradually to help minimize the effects of the expanding wood, namely sticking joints and cracking or checking of the wood and bore warping. Follow the basic break in procedure below: 1) 1st and 2nd Week. Play the instrument slowly ascending in both registers for no more than 5 minutes 3 evenly spaced times per day. 2) 3rd & 4th Week. Increase the above routine playing no more than 10 minutes 3 times per day. 3) Increase the above routine playing an additional 5 minutes per session each week until you are playing your normal routine. 4) It is very important to swab the instrument out every 10 minutes when playing the instrument. 5) Put the instrument in its case after each playing session, preferably with a case cover and putting the case in a bureau cabinet. 6) Keep the inside of the instrument case at approximately 70% humidity at 70 degrees Fahrenheit using case humidifiers and humidity and temperature gauges. 7) Play the instrument daily. Do not skip a day playing. If you miss a day, begin this routine from the beginning. 8) Professional players should consider gradually increasing the amount of playing in this routine over a period of 1 year. This usually means not performing on the instrument the first year. SUGGESTED CARE PRODUCTS FOR YOUR NEW INSTRUMENT 1. High quality swab. (Use every 10 min.) 2. Pad cleaning papers for moisture removal away from tone holes and pads. 3. Polishing cloth to remove hand acids from keys. 4. Case cover for added insulation from dry, cold, or hot air. 5. Humidifier for inside your case. 6. Humidity gauge to monitor humidity in your case. 7. Pocket Needle oiler to reduce key wear. 8. Cork grease. © Muncy Winds Music Co. 2004 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Philip Muncy, was a clarinet student of Robert Listokin, at the North Carolina School of the Arts, and a student of Musical Instrument Technology at the State University of New York, Morrisville. Mr. Muncy, a clarinet designer known for his hand made clarinet barrels, custom design work and reed design. His talents are utilized in most US orchestras. |
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