Assembly: How to Put your Clarinet Together

Make sure that the case is right side up.

Make sure each cork is lightly greased with cork grease or Vaseline. Wipe off any excess so it doesn't get on the pads.

With the bell on your knee place both hands on the lower joint and push it into the bell.

Put the top joint into the lower joint making sure to align. Press the rings of the top joint and twist the two pieces together.

Attach the reed to the mouthpiece.

Align the reed so that it is as close to the end without showing over the end

Pull the ligature down and tighten the screws to hold the reed in place.

Tuning:

The clarinet is tuned by adjusting the length of the instrument. To lower the pitch, pull the mouthpiece out, leaving a small gap between the mouthpiece and the barrel. To raise the pitch, push the mouthpiece in on the cork. Sometimes you may have to adjust by pulling out or pushing in between the upper and lower joints.

When you have finished playing

Moisture caused from hot air will cause the pads to deteriorate if it's left in the clarinet. Swab your clarinet after each time you finish playing. Drop the weight through each section from the top down and pull the cloth through. If you have the "shovets" they can be pushed through and left for storage in the lower and upper joints and the mouthpiece.

• Wipe the keys with a cloth to remove finger prints. Acid from your hands can cause tarnishing.
• Remove your reed from the mouthpiece and place it in a reed guard.
• Swab out the mouthpiece or use a mouthpiece mouse.
• Leave the ligature on the mouthpiece to keep it from getting bent!
• Place the mouthpiece cap on the mouthpiece!
• Always keep your clarinet in the case when you are not playing it.
• Never put anything in your case that is not supposed to be there. Pressure from papers and music can bend the rods and keys.
• Wash the mouthpiece regularly with lukewarm water and clean it using a mouthpiece brush. Use a liquid bacteria soap if you've had a cold.

To keep pads clean, don't eat candy or chew gum before or while you are playing!! Pads are expensive to replace so make them last as long as possible!