There are so many different types of accessories out there. Some are necessity, you must have them to care for and protect your instrument. Others are just nice, but very useful. Here are the ones that you absolutely must have, a few that are just nice, and one to avoid as a new student.
Necessity: Cork Grease
Cork grease is used to make the clarinet easier to put together. You put a small amount on the cork areas and it allows the clarinet to slide into place better. Without regular application of cork grease you can get pieces stuffed together which can be almost impossible to extract from the other piece. Speaking from experience this is extremely nerve-wracking. Cork grease can be found at any local music store or online. IT’S CHEAP. So don’t go without it.
Necessity: Cleaning Swab
There are a couple different types of cleaning swabs out there most swabs either cotton or silk. The cotton ones are sometimes really short and don’t have enough length to go through the instrument easily. The silk ones go through easily but need a couple pass throughs to get all the moisture.
You can even get silk swabs made out of cool ties. Here is the link to where I got mine!
Reina Abolofia is a local clarinetist in Portland OR and sells her swabs through this site or through Etsy. I use mine for my alto clarinet.
picture credit to
Necessity: Clarinet Stand
I might get a lot of flack for this one but hear me out. So many students, especially kids, are not as conscientious with their instrument when it’s just in their lap. They forget it’s there, or heaven forbid, but the whole thing on their stand!
(ahhhhhhhh!!!!*swoon* *faint*)
So a clarinet stand will help, maybe not completely, mitigate the risk of falls due to kids just being kids.
You can get ones that fold up into the bell for easy storage or you can get the standard version. Pics
Necessity: Tuner
This is essential, although a stand alone tuner is no longer necessary in the smartphone pop hint age. Now you can get apps! My favorite is Panotuner but there are so many free or inexpensive tuner apps on the app store. It is essential to have a tuner and use it to train your ear. Whether you’re playing in a band or at home solo, being in tune will make your playing infinitely better.
Necessity: Metronome
True this is not a necessity for instrument care but for lessons its definitely a necessity. There are apps you can get as well. My favorite is Metronome by Soundbrenner. This metronome is great, it allows you to tap out to find a tempo, set the tempo with a dial, pick the rhythm thats gets played, and much more!
Nicety: Clarinet Neck Strap
Now I’m talking to middle school students at this point. Some players (myself included) need a neck strap for every day playing due to the extra support it gives to a shaky or arthritic hand. Middle school students should learn to play without one so they can learn to adequately support the instrument on their own.
Nicety: Thumb Rest Cushion
So for new students starting out the pressure on the right thumb and be very uncomfortable, so a thumb cushion is nice. That being said you don’t NEED one, but there is nothing wrong with having one.
AVOID: Clarinet Cleaning Kit
Every music store will try to sell you an instrument cleaning kit. I can tell you I’ve used the entire thing exactly once, when I opened it …. in the 6th grade. The oil is useful for older instruments but most newer ones don’t need key oil and I’d rather have a student take it in to a professional repair person than attempt to oil keys themselves (especially if it requires them to take the instrument apart). The brushes, although useful, may scratch the plastic of student model clarinets and if you’re using your swab (I’m looking at you, everyone!) you won’t need them. The swab that comes with it is not my favorite, they are usually so thick that they get stuck on the first run through the instrument, so you’re better off getting that separate. The only thing in the kit that is a necessity is the cork grease, and you can get that separately. Most kits also come with cleaning papers, which sometimes are powdered, STAY AWAY! The powdered papers will hurt your pads, so if you need to wick away moisture from a sticky pad you’re better off going for normal, non-powdered, cleaning papers.
These are just a couple examples of accessories that are out there. The necessary ones are required items, but sometimes the nice accessories are really great to have.
P.S. One item that is a NECESSITY for clarinet lessons, but doesn’t have anything to do with the clarinet and it’s care is…..
A pencil. Always have one. You’ll need it. You’re welcome.
Comentarios