Here is our guide to clarinet assembly. Techniques vary, this guide is designed as a reminder to avoid bad habits creeping in.

Prepare the Reed

A reed must be moist in order to perform. Try to get into the habit of holding the reed in your mouth while putting the clarinet together. By the time you are ready to fit the reed into the ligature it will be moist enough to play! Reeds are very delicate and be sure not to chew or bend it while in your mouth.

Greasing the Corks

If the corks are dry the clarinet will be very difficult to put together and take apart. They can be damaged over time by forcing the clarinet parts together. Usually only a small amount of cork grease is necessary to enable the parts to slide smoothly together. Newer instruments/cork will need more and more often, whereas older instruments may only need it applying every month or so. As important as applying cork grease, is removing any excess when taking the instrument apart. This can be done using a tissue or dry cloth. Excess grease on your corks can be a real problem - causing them to decay over time, will ruin the interior of your case and can easily get onto the body and mechanisms, causing unwanted stickiness and dirt.

Putting the instrument together

Using your left hand, take the lower section from the case. Use your right hand to remove the upper section, pressing down on the tone hole rings.  This will lift the bridge key and allow you to attach the two sections together with a gentle twisting motion. If cork grease is applied correctly this should allow a flush fit without excessive effort, avoiding the possibility of bending keys and damaging the cork!

Using a similar motion attach the bell to the lower joint, followed by the mouthpiece to the bell. Attach the bell/mouthpiece to the upper joint of the clarinet. Now check that everything is aligned, especially the mouthpiece - the opening should be at the back of the clarinet!

Attaching the Reed

The reed will by now be sufficiently moist. Taking it from your mouth, carefully place the reed against the mouthpiece. Line up the tip of the reed with the tip of the mouthpiece, allowing for a fingernails breadth of mouthpiece to show above the reed. Holding the reed delicately in place with one hand, place the ligature over the mouthpiece. The ligature will align with the two bands, which run around the mouthpiece, showing you where the ligature should sit.

When using a metal ligature the screws should be on the same side on the mouthpiece as the reed. Leather reeds attach with a leather band at the base of the reed and the screw to the rear.   Avoid over tightening the ligature, as this can damage the reed and the ligature itself, as well as reducing the degree to which the reed can vibrate.

At first this was all seem quite tricky but as you progress it will become second nature. However, this can be dangerous as bad habits can creep in and result in damaging your instrument over time. We recommended having a quick recap from time to time to make sure you're not cutting corners!

Damaged corks and bent keys result all two often from putting the instrument together too quickly. As always there is no substitute for being shown how to care for your instrument first hand by your teacher. If they haven't done so yet, ask them to show you how they put their instrument together. There is no 'correct order' as such, only bad habits to avoid!

For more advise or to clear up any points feel free to email us: maintenance@friendlyflutes.co.uk