The CORRECT Way to Swab Your Clarinet

Everything you need to know about how to properly swab your clarinet. What do you agree or disagree with? Anything that I missed?
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[@QuickStartClarinet]

Here are a couple of things that I have thought about that would go well with this too: 1. Swab slowly. This allows the swab to absorb moisture and also puts less friction and force going through the instrument. 2. Make sure there are no knots or tangles. Knots make more friction going through and if you try to pull the swab through in jumbled mess (sort of like the first one I did in the video) it increases the chances of it getting stuck. 3. Don't use the little pipe cleaner looking brush swabs. Even though the ends are covered they can still cause scratching, and if you leave them in your instrument or mouthpiece you are just letting fuzzy wet stuff get gross stuff sit in your instrument.

[@nancydevlin65]

Thank you so much! My clarinet came in yesterday, and I really took my time with your long video from assembly to hot cross buns, and dripped all over the place, so yeah, this swabbing clip was very useful as well! I'll keep watching your channel!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Excellent! Let me know if there is anything I can help with!

[@brendareed8412]

Thank you for your clear explanations. Yours and Clarinet Me your are the KZbin channels that I turn to for advice.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Thanks for watching! Let me know if there is anything you need help with that you can’t find a video on and I will gladly make a video for you!

[@brendareed8412]

@@QuickStartClarinet I am left handed and I think this makes some basics a little trickier - effortlessly holding the clarinet, more keys for right handed pinkie, and perhaps more. Having dealt my entire life with objects designed for right handed use, it has become an interest. Even handling horses is set up for right handers. Clarinet is subtle in comparison, but still a difference. I wonder if the emphasized practice routines are skewed in such a way as to be a disadvantage. I have heard of a few, specially made left-handed clarinets.

[@johnmortison5763]

I've always used an old lint free cotton handkerchief pushed through each section separately with a 1/4" wooden dowel. Drys well with no damage.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

That works! I do imagine swabbing is much more time efficient and you don’t have to be quite as careful. But if it isn’t broke no need to change it!

[@loryclarinet5991]

U have such a good personality!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Thanks!

[@stephenbroll8460]

As a carpenter by trade, I wonder if there is something to be said for swapping with the grain, that is, from barrel to bell? Also, I use a separate swab to dry out the ends of the joints to avoid getting cork grease residue inside the instrument. I don't swab my mouthpiece anymore after my repair person said I ruined my expensive mouthpiece by swabbing and losing the definition of the interior edges. Instead use I use white vinegar, which keeps the residue from saliva from building up. Enjoyed the video. Good discussion.

[@elissahunt]

I just finished practicing (and swabbing out my clarinet) before I sat down and watched this. I always take off my mouthpiece before swabbing. I actually tend to swab out both directions. Then I take the clarinet apart and dry off the tenons. I always swab my mouthpiece because I think it's gross not to. I have two swabs--the bigger one has a tail. So, I guess I already pretty much follow your method for swabbing. :)

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Nice!

[@anneliesklein3469]

Tip: use a special swob for mouthpieces. There is one microfiber swob. The great thing about it is that it hasn't a heavy weaght but Just a short stiff rope to put through.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Cool! I have never heard of that! On a somewhat related note, never use the fluffy stick things that look like big pipe cleaners. They can scratch things with the tip, they can leave lots of fuzzies in the instrument, and if you leave them in your instrument that is literally just holding the moisture and letting it sit in the instrument.

[@anneliesklein3469]

@@QuickStartClarinet kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4HQi56JaLB5n6M

[@geofixated]

I swab my barrel and mouth piece first. Then swab bell to first joint. Then I disassemble all the parts swab the each end of each part. Then I wipe the spit off the floor for luck.

[@aleksdeepvoice]

My band teacher said swabbing too often could damage my clarinet. Is this true?

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Swabbing the mouthpiece too often can be mildly problematic, but if you have a decent swab and follow the instructions here you should be fine. If you are playing continuously like when you practice I recommend swabbing about every 20 minutes or so. If you are playing less continuously like in band class you should swab maybe once in the first 10 minutes or so and then you should be fine for the rest of rehearsal.

[@geofixated]

I swab my clarinet at the 30 minute point of practice since that's when it usually start to sound "wet". Michael Lowenstern says you can remove the moisture out of the mouthpiece by sucking each side of the reed but that never works for me. And I am sure, compared to Michael I suck more.

[@beth7467]

What is it about silk that makes it bad as a swab material, in your view?

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Silk is sometimes used as a polishing cloth in woodworking to finish a piece. It does that by removing material from the wood like sanding. It is obviously not good to be removing material from the clarinet bore. That being said woodworking silk is probably a lot more abrasive than the silk used in swabs so no need to panic if you already have a silk swab!

[@beth7467]

@@QuickStartClarinet But silk is a thin, soft material that doesn't readily shed. What am I missing?

[@QuickStartClarinet]

It’s the abrasiveness that can be a problem.

[@beth7467]

@@QuickStartClarinet Thanks, Josh. I replied to your response before you edited, when it just said "Silk." 😄 I'll do some more investigation on this, because in my experience silk isn't abrasive. (I prefer to use natural rather than man-made fibers whenever possible.) It may be, as you said, that there are different qualities of silk fiber. Thanks again!

[@QuickStartClarinet]

I thought that might have been the case. I dropped my phone and accidentally hit send while I was typing 🤣 Let me know if you find anything interesting in your research!