My clarinet won’t come apart! What should I do?

Chances are, if you’re reading this you’re in a bit of a dilemma – your clarinet is stuck together and won’t come apart!

This is actually more common than you think, and here’s what you should do:

• Let it rest for a few minutes. Sometimes, the wood (if using wood clarinet) and corks can swell, making it very difficult to separate the joints of the clarinet. Put the clarinet in a safe place (on a clarinet peg or somewhere where it won’t fall or inspected by curious pets) and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This will give it time to cool down, and the wood and corks should reduce to their normal size. (Note – don’t try to quickly reduce temperature by putting the clarinet somewhere cold – this can cause cracks!)
  • Why does this happen? When the temperatures rise, the corks can swell. This can also happen if you have played the clarinet a lot, causing the clarinet’s temperature to rise from all of the warm air you’re introducing to its bore.
• Rock it, don’t twist it. If the clarinet isn’t coming apart normally, try gently rocking the joints back and forth (instead of twisting it in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion).
  • Why does this work? This can loosen joints that have become a bit swollen.
• Take it to a qualified clarinet repair tech. If the above methods don’t work, take the clarinet to a trusted repair tech. They can diagnose any serious issues, as well as advise if shaving the corks is a viable option for your clarinet.

Now that you’ve gotten your clarinet apart, here are some tips to help prevent this from happening again:

• Use cork grease regularly. How frequently you use cork grease greatly depends on the environment you’re in – hot, humid, cold, dry. If the clarinet feels “stiff” when assembling, it’s probably time for cork grease. (Make sure to wash your hands after applying cork grease and before practicing to keep your clarinet in tip-top shape!)
• Don’t keep your clarinet in hot environments. Never leave your clarinet outside, in cars, or anywhere in extreme temperatures, as this can cause the wood and cork to swell. (It’s also good safety advice to protect your clarinet against theft.)
• Disassemble your clarinet after every practice session. Yes, it’s convenient to have your clarinet fully assembled and ready to go when you want to practice, but never taking your clarinet apart can cause it to become very difficult to disassemble.