Marching Band Effects on a Wooden Clarinet?

Question:I have two clarinets. One is a 8 year old wood Selmer 100(?) that I have used from third grade up until now, junior year in high school, and the other is a one and half year old Buffet E11 that I have used in concert band for the past couple years.

I have been in marching band for the past three years and some of the grain of the wood in my first clarinet is beginning to show through. (It may be due to some rain...heh.)

I'd just like to know if there is anything I can do so my clarinet won't break in the middle of the season because I'm worried that with it's age and handling (I live in NJ, so it goes from a really hot August summer band camp to freezing November football games.) it'll fall apart.

I'm trying to take good care of it, but there are some things that are unpreventable, such as the weather.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have two clarinets. One is a 8 year old wood Selmer 100(?) that I have used from third grade up until now, junior year in high school, and the other is a one and half year old Buffet E11 that I have used in concert band for the past couple years.

I have been in marching band for the past three years and some of the grain of the wood in my first clarinet is beginning to show through. (It may be due to some rain...heh.)

I'd just like to know if there is anything I can do so my clarinet won't break in the middle of the season because I'm worried that with it's age and handling (I live in NJ, so it goes from a really hot August summer band camp to freezing November football games.) it'll fall apart.

I'm trying to take good care of it, but there are some things that are unpreventable, such as the weather.

Other than getting your clarinet "fixed" by a repair dude or buying a plastic clarinet, there is not much you can do. Personally, I have a plastic clarinet, but I DO see the effects on wood clarinets because everyone else in my section has wood. I would recommend taking your case out with you, and putting it in the case. I do realize it is difficult, but it will help. They sell cases that you can put your whole clarinet in it all together, I assume you could use it as a book bag also, so it will not hinder your marching much. When you get back to the band room, dry your clarinet off and let it set in the case with the case open so it can dry. Other than that, there is not much you can do.

You've already seen the affect that the weather conditions are having on the body of the clarinet. A technician may be able to do something (wood treatment or similar) that will restore some of the original look and protect it. Most clarinetists in marching band use a plastic/abs resin body clarinet for marching band to not destroy the wood clarinets. I would recommend buying a student plastic clarinet and using that, getting your wood treated by a tech, and only using that for indoor bands.

DON'T MARCH WITH A WOODEN CLARINET!
That's just painful for me to read and see.....the weather damage is not fixable on the body of a wooden clarinet. I would STRONGLY suggest you find a cheap plastic one to use during the season. There are tons on eBay and Craigslist for under $100.

Such extreme temperature changes and weather like rain will only hurt your clarinet and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. I would not be surprised if you have a crack or wood pieces missing from the inside of your clarinet already.

Please just get a cheap clarinet for marching season, unless you're prepared to lose your wood clarinet.

Dont use your wooden clarinet in marching band!!!! Take the selmer to a repair shop that specialises in Woodwind instruments and hope for the best! You may want to hire a plastic clarinet for your marching band!