I want to share a suggestion to consider when it’s time to repad your clarinet or refurbish a clarinet you buy online.

Before yesterday’s Wakefield Civic Band concert, a fellow clarinet player was showing me his beautiful Selmer wood clarinet, a horn he snagged for a “really great price” on eBay. Steve’s been using the clarinet for a while but decided it’s time for a repad.

I suggested that he have the upper joint repadded with cork pads. Steve hadn’t heard about cork pads so I figure there are other clarinetists who might not realize they have this option.

Cork pads are wonderful on the upper joint because the trill keys and other side keys - such as the left-hand “side” Eb and the C# keys in the chalumeau register - tend to collect...um...condensation. Conventional pads can break down under those wet conditions while cork is fairly impervious. Generally speaking, the register key still uses a conventional pad.

Yes, it will probably cost a little more to have cork pads installed on the upper joint but these pads have better staying power. The investment will pay off in the long run.

When you talk with your clarinet repair tech, ask about the possibility of repadding your clarinet with cork pads. I think you’ll like them.

Until next time,

Cindy