Proper assembling and disassembling the clarinet is important to avoid bending keys. I teach the Bells Up Technique where the instrument is assembled and disassembled upside down.

 

ASSEMBLY:

• First, put cork grease on all the cork parts of the instrument.

*Tip: apply the cork grease to finger then wipe it on all corks. It should be translucent.

*Tip: put the reed in your mouth to moisten the reed during assembly.

• With the case on the ground, take the bell upside down in the left hand.
• With the right hand take the lower joint with the cork side facing upwards, hand on the backside where the thumb rest is, and with the open holes facing you. While depressing the ringed key closest to the top, twist the two parts together. * Good Habit- with the bell’s logo if there is one, facing upwards-aligned with the open holes.
• With the left hand on the backside of the lower joint, holding the lowest pad key down; take the upper joint with the right hand with the side keys pointing upwards, depress the top ringed key which will raise the bridge mechanism up and twist the upper joint onto the lower joint. *Tip: start with the upper joint’s side keys aligned with the thumb rest and twist the right hand towards you a quarter of a turn. Make sure the bridge is correctly lined up between the lower and upper joint. PICTURE
• Now, either put the instrument across your lap or across the case with keys facing upwards, take the mouthpiece and remove the mouthpiece cap and ligature (being careful to place them in your open case or stand). Twist the mp on the barrel (upper section).
• Pick up the main body right side up and by holding it near the top where you cannot crush any keys, twist the upper section onto the body with the open section of the mp lining up with the register key.
• Add the ligature to the mouthpiece

  *TIP: Screws should be on the right-hand side for most beginner clarinet ligatures. (Ligature types PICTURE?)

 

ADDING REED:

-loosen the screws on the ligature, push the ligature up with one thumb, slide the reed down the mouthpiece from the top down to avoid any damage to the tip of the reed. Avoid touching the tip but ease the reed down from the sides. Once the reed tip is lined up to the tip of the mouthpiece and the sides are adjusted so it is equally balanced on either side, snug up the ligature screws. *Tip: the top of the ligature should be approximately 2mm away from the center of the cut of the reed.

• Always put the reed cap on when not playing to keep the reed moist and to protect the reed from damage.

*Pro Tip: a small moist sponge can be inserted inside the mouthpiece cap to keep the reed moist when not playing.

 

DISSASEMBLY:

1. Loosen the ligature and slide it up with your thumb to create a gap to slide the reed upwards to remove it avoiding the tip. Put the reed safely back in the reed case.
2. Remove the mouthpiece and wipe it off with your swab. Do NOT pull your swab through the mouthpiece. Mouthpiece cleaning will be described under Basic Care/ or click here?
3. Put both the ligature back and the mouthpiece cap back on and place in case.
4. Swab the instrument right side up (from the barrel to the bell) to avoid the swab getting caught. Swab often and carefully.*TIP: make sure that the swab is fully unfurled so it does not get caught in the instrument.
5. As you remove the parts, take care to clean out the tenons where water collects between the joints. Review assembly on where to hold the instrument so as not to bend any keys.

 

BASIC CARE:

1. Check for loose screws
2. Check for sticky pads
3. Check your bridge alignment. Pro Tip: Make sure your 1 and 1 works properly. If there is any movement in the closed key (using your middle finger) just below the left hand pointer/index finger then an adjustment is needed. You may need to slightly move the alignment of the bridge so that there is a complete seal when you use the 1 and 1 fingering.
4. Mouthpiece maintenance: regular care of the mp is important

-a mouthpiece swab can be used where sold for this specific use. (Lomax Classic)

-clean mouthpiece regularly with either a vinegar or lemon juice mixture.

How To:

-remove the mp patch (can be left on for fast clean ups)

-In a plastic glass, mix a solution of 50% vinegar or lemon juice with 50% water.

-Soak mp upside down in the solution taking care not to get the cork wet.  *Do NOT leave in the solution any longer than 2-3 minutes to avoid any discoloration.

-use Q-tips soaked with the solution to clean out the inside especially the crevices of the mp.

-wipe the outside of the mp with a soft cloth.

-put mp patch back on or add a new one