Your instrument is a valuable item, well worth your respect, care and attention.
These are simple instructions for assembly of a clarinet. Please follow them carefully to
avoid damaging your instrument.
Assembly of the instrument
- Apply a small quantity of cork grease to the joint corks to facilitate the assembly of your clarinet.
Note: Cork grease has to be applied every time when the assembly is difficult. To avoid cracking instrument, never use force.
- Assemble the barrel and the top joint. Hold the top joint with the left hand and be careful not
to damage the mechanism.
- Assemble the bottom joint and the bell. Take care not to apply any excessive force to the keys.
- Assemble the top and the bottom joints. Hold the top joint with the left hand so that the rings
covering the holes are depressed. This will cause the small connector which will engage the
bottom section with the top section to be lifted. Hold the bottom joint and the bell with your right hand.
- Adjust the joints so that the keys are in line.
- Put the mouthpiece on the assembled instrument. Then put the ligature and a reed on the mouthpiece.
Note: Take care not to damage the mouthpiece top or the reed with the ligature. After playing, put the cap
on the mouthpiece to protect it from damage.
Disassemble in the reverse order.
Daily care
- To prevent corrosion, wipe the keywork with a dry polishing cloth after each performance or practice session.
- Always use the case provided for the instrument. Too tight or too loose a case
may cause bending of keys.
- Under no circumstances use oil, solvents or anti-corrosive products.
- To prevent cracking (especially of a wooden clarinet)
avoid any rapid changes of temperature and humidity. For instance, do not leave the instrument
in the blazing sun, out-door in winter, or near an air-conditioner or heater.
- Apply cork grease to the joint corks.
- Before putting the instrument back in the case, dry the bore completely with a pull-through (swab).
When these precautions are observed, bore oil will need to be applied
to wooden clarinets only
by putting a small amount on a cloth swab and passing it through the clarinet. This should be
done about twice a year. Do not do this any more frequently.
Note: Should any wooden instrument crack, it will never affect the intonation and tone quality if the instrument is properly repaired.