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You must assemble, clean, and tune your new clarinet prior to playing.
Clarinets are delicate instruments and can be damaged easily. Handle
with care. If you have a clarinet instructor we recommend you see him
or her to assist you with assembling, cleaning and tuning your
instrument for the first time.
If cannot wait, follow the steps below:
- Lubricate all tenon-corks on the mouthpiece, upper and lower joints
with cork-grease (included). Make sure to apply an even coat of grease.
- Attach the barrel to the upper joint and the bell to the lower
joint with a gentle twisting motion. Align the logos with the keys.
- Connect the upper joint to the lower joint with a gentle twisting
motion while gently depressing the ring keys on the upper joint to
bring the bridge upper key up. The lower bridge key will slide under
the upper bridge key. Be careful as careless assembly can cause damage
to bridge keys. Align the upper joint bridge key on top of the lower
joint bridge key.
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Connect the mouthpiece to the barrel with a gentle twisting motion
 
Attaching the Reed
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Moisten the thin end of the reed in your mouth or in cup of water.
- Remove the ligature from the mouthpiece then position the reed on
the mouthpiece so that the tip of the mouthpiece is seen just over the
end of the reed.
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While holding the reed in place slide the ligature over the reed and mouthpiece, adjust to fit, and tighten the ligature screws.
Tuning
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Pitch is affected by temperature, so warm up the instrument before playing by blowing air through it.
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You can use a chromatic tuner or piano
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The tuning pitch for the clarinet are C and G
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Play a C and G on the piano or find it on your tuner
- To tune, pull barrel slightly away from the body. The length you
pull the barrel out depends on individual preference and method of
playing. You can further adjust your intonation by pulling out on the
upper and lower joints.
Maintenance
It is important to disassemble and thoroughly clean the instrument
after playing, and especially prior to placing it in its case for
storage between playing sessions. We recommend that you follow the
routine below to ensure that the instrument is kept in peak condition
by using the products contained in the Clarinet Care Kit (Model C-CCK)
In addition to the steps described below we recommend that you take
you instrument to a skilled technician at least once a year to be
serviced.
Removing your reed
- Remove the reed from the mouthpiece by loosening the ligature and
sliding it off. Gently dry the reed with a clean cloth and place it in
a reed holder.
Cleaning the interior
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After playing always insert your cleaning swab into your instrument to remove moisture.
- After each use rub the outside of the mouthpiece with a soft cloth
then scrub the inside of your mouthpiece with a mouthpiece brush. You
can use lukewarm water and mild soap. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a
soft cloth.
Cleaning the Pads
- Dry the pads by inserting cleaning pad paper between it and the
tone hole. Lightly press the key down and carefully pulling the paper
away
Cleaning the exterior
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After each use, rub on outside of your instrument with a polishing cloth to remove particles
and fingerprints.
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Use a key brush once a week to remove dust or lint that accumulates around post and springs and under key rods.
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Use a pipe cleaner on hard to reach areas.
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Tenons tend to collect moisture, especially at the upper and lower joints. Remove all moisture from tenons cork with gauze.
- Apply small amounts of cork grease on neck cork to maintain the
quality of the cork and to make mouthpiece assembly easy. Remember to
always remove your mouthpiece when not in use.
Other helpful hints
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Avoid fluids that contain sugar prior to playing. If drinking or eating prior to playing rinse out
your mouth.
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Remove your clarinet from its case by lifting it from the edges
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Always store your clarinet in its case when not in use to prevent damage
- Your instrument is a valuable item and should be treated with
respect. By following the guidelines above your instrument should
provide you and your listeners with years of enjoyment
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