The two things that go wrong
A student clarinet that isn't looked after develops two problems: squeaking and cracking. Both are preventable. Squeaking is almost always a reed issue — chipped, waterlogged, or incorrectly positioned. Cracking, in a wood or resin instrument, comes from moisture trapped inside the bore after playing. A three-minute routine after every session prevents both.
Understanding reeds
The reed is the thin sliver of cane that sits against the mouthpiece and vibrates to make the sound. It's also the first thing to blame when a clarinet squeaks — and usually the culprit.
Reeds are rated by strength, from 1 (softest) to 5 (hardest). Beginners almost always start on 1.5 or 2. A reed that's too hard requires too much air pressure to vibrate correctly and produces a thin, airy sound or no sound at all. A reed that's too soft squeaks and lacks resistance.
What to do when a reed squeaks:1. Check the position — the flat side of the reed should sit flush against the flat face of the mouthpiece, with the tip of the reed aligned with the tip of the mouthpiece. Even 1 mm off produces a squeak.
2. Check the condition — hold the reed up to a light. Chips, splits, or warping mean it's time to replace it.
3. Rotate your reeds — using the same reed every session wears it out quickly. Keep three or four reeds in rotation and let each one dry completely between uses.
Reeds last anywhere from a few days to a few months depending on how carefully they're handled and stored. Store them flat in a reed case or the original packaging — never loose in the instrument case where they'll warp.
Swabbing: the moisture routine
Every time you play, warm air and moisture travel through the bore of the instrument. Left inside, that moisture causes pads to become sticky and, in wood or composite instruments, causes cracks along the grain of the body.
The fix is a pull-through swab. Thread the weighted end through the bell of the instrument, hold the mouthpiece end open, and draw the cloth through the bore. Two or three passes removes the moisture.
Swab each section separately:- Lower joint (bell to tone hole section)
- Upper joint (tone holes to barrel)
- The barrel itself
Never swab the mouthpiece with the same cloth — the mouthpiece is narrow and needs its own small brush or a mouthpiece-specific swab. A build-up of residue on the mouthpiece table (the flat surface where the reed sits) affects intonation and reed vibration.
The Harmonics clarinet care kit includes the pull-through swab, mouthpiece brush, and cork grease needed for the full routine — everything in one case that stores with the instrument.
Cork grease: the joint that sticks
The clarinet comes apart at three joints: mouthpiece-to-barrel, barrel-to-upper joint, and upper joint-to-lower joint. Each connection uses a cork-lined tenon. When the cork dries out, joints become either too tight (risking a crack from forcing) or too loose (air leaks, unstable intonation).
Apply a small amount of cork grease — about the size of a match head — to the cork before assembling the instrument. Rub it in with a finger. The joint should twist together with light, even pressure. If it still sticks, more grease. If it wobbles loose, the cork may be worn and need replacing by a repair technician.
The 3-minute routine
After every session:
1. Remove the reed from the mouthpiece and store it flat to dry.
2. Swab the lower joint, upper joint, and barrel (three passes each).
3. Swab the mouthpiece separately with a mouthpiece brush.
4. Wipe the exterior of the keys and body with a soft cloth.
5. Apply cork grease to all three joint corks once a week, or whenever assembly feels stiff.
That's it. Three minutes after every practice keeps a student clarinet playing cleanly and extends its life significantly — a well-maintained instrument at Grade 3 still plays like new at Grade 6.
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