Proper clarinet care keeps your instrument playing well, protects your investment, and prevents avoidable repair bills. Most of it comes down to a few consistent habits — and once they're part of your routine, they take almost no time at all.
After Every Practice Session
Swab out each joint of the clarinet after playing. Use a pull-through swab designed for clarinet — one that fits through the upper joint, lower joint, and barrel separately. Moisture left in the bore can swell wooden clarinets and degrade pads on both plastic and wood instruments. Never leave your clarinet assembled and unswabbed.
Wipe down the exterior of the instrument and the mouthpiece with a soft cloth. If you use a mouthpiece, rinse it with lukewarm (not hot) water occasionally to remove buildup.
Assembling Your Clarinet
When putting the clarinet together, use a gentle twisting motion and never force the joints. Apply a small amount of cork grease to the corks if they feel stiff — dry, cracked corks are a common cause of airtight seal problems and can crack if forced. Keep a small tube of cork grease in your case.
Reed Care
Reeds are consumable, but proper care extends their life. After playing, remove the reed, wipe it dry, and store it flat in a reed case or holder. Never leave a reed on the mouthpiece while the clarinet is in its case — this warps reeds quickly. Rotating between two or three reeds during a practice week also helps them last longer.
Wooden Clarinets
If you play a wooden clarinet, allow it to warm up gradually — especially in cold weather. Wooden clarinets can crack if subjected to sudden temperature changes. New wooden clarinets should be "broken in" gradually over the first several weeks, starting with short practice sessions and slowly increasing duration.