Humidity and cracking
Wood expands and contracts with moisture, and rapid changes in humidity are the most common cause of cracking in clarinet parts. Avoid moving your instrument suddenly between very dry, heated environments and cold or damp ones, and avoid leaving it in direct sun, a car, or near a radiator.
Playing in a warm-up gradually rather than blowing warm, moist air through a cold instrument straight away reduces thermal shock to the wood.
Oiling
Bore oil helps keep the wood’s internal moisture balanced and can reduce the risk of cracking over time, particularly on newer pieces before the wood has fully settled. Oiling frequency depends on the wood, the climate you play in, and how often the instrument is used — as a general guide, new pieces benefit from oiling every few weeks initially, tapering off as the wood stabilises.
Apply oil sparingly to the bore with a swab, avoiding tone holes and any mechanism, and wipe away excess.
Cleaning and handling
- Swab out moisture after every playing session, working from the top joint down.
- Avoid gripping the barrel or bell tightly by the bore when assembling or disassembling the instrument — hold by the body of the piece instead.
- Keep cork or thread joints lightly greased so pieces fit together without forcing.
- Wipe the exterior with a soft, dry cloth; avoid household cleaning products on the wood or finish.
Storage
Store the instrument in its case when not in use, away from extremes of temperature and humidity. A case humidifier can help in particularly dry climates or heating seasons, keeping the wood in a more stable environment between sessions.