If you try to put the mouthpiece on the neck while it is attached to the body, this can cause strain on the neck which can lead to problems. Uremusic: Substitutes for Trombone Slide Oil. Cork grease is made for instruments and not for your lips. Verdict An unscented, unflavored lip balm can be treated as a temporary alternative to cork grease, but it cannot be used for long due to its poor lubrication capacity. In this lesson, we learn how to apply the cork grease to the cork so that it is easier to attach the mouthpiece. An unscented and natural lip balm, free from flavors, is the best alternative to cork grease. In this case, the moisture stays longer and does not need you to grease each time. Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt. Banging out notes without even knowing what they were. Many more available here at the Dr. Selfridge Music channel - please subscribe and visit our website: https://www.drselfridgemusic.com/Check our Dr. Selfridge's perks on PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/DrSelfridge. Whether you are new to playing your woodwind instrument or you have been playing for years, these tips are an important reminder to give some extra care and attention to the corks that work to keep your instrument playing properly! This product is not new in the market as it has been around since 2009. So, what does this kit contain? Now, you only need a little bit to get good results. Vandoren is one of the top brands for woodwind accessories, so it makes sense that they would make a good cork grease. Without cork grease, the corks of your instrument would quickly become dry and stiff, making it difficult to assemble the instrument. Corks: Pros, cons to what goes atop your favorite bottle of wine The box is 4 ounces, and a single purchase will last for years. It might not offer the kind of lubrication that you desire. Eventually, this strain will tear up the cork, and it will need to be replaced. Go through all the reviews and settle for the best product according to the majority of opinions. I explore The answer to this question Like most people, I started learning music at school, infant school in fact. You can use cork grease as often as you would slide oil, about once a week or whenever the slides are hard to move. Part of breaking in a new piccolo can involve adding a bit more grease than you otherwise would. Just put a little bit on the cork and rub it around with your finger. Without cork grease, you will often have to use a lot of effort to get the mouthpiece on the neck. Cork grease is a lubricant that is used to keep the cork in great shape and is used for woodwind instruments, including saxophones. I was also in the band (clarinet & sax) and continue to play the guitar and piano. Cork grease is necessary for the maintenance of your instrument. It works best for students and professionals. The downside with a lip balm is that the moisture effect is for a short period. In the process of lubricating the valves, the slide oil may keep your valves from moving smoothly. Weve found a few loose recipes that should do the trick and appear to be great alternatives to cork grease. Cooper is a Multi-Instrumentalist, with vast knowledge and experience performing with, With a Bachelors Degree from the Berklee College of Music in Boston and studies in Classical Performance at the Lionel Hampton School of Music, he has also. It can also be applied to the receiving part of the neck. It would be best if you didnt rely on it as a full-time alternative to trumpet valve oil, though. #1 Best Seller. Tap to see more details about this product, Review most important product information. Absolutely, yes. There are common ideas about cork grease substitutes. Or, you can pick some up locally at your local musical instrument shop or Walmart. We were impressed by how durable the cork grease was. To add the following enhancements to your purchase, choose a different seller. Verdict Coconut oil is not an efficient alternative to cork grease. WD-40 can also have an odor, and it can be toxic. How to Care for Your Woodwind Corks - David French Music Any cork that has become overly thin or soft or has started to crumble or break away from the instrument needs to be replaced at a repair shop. Thank goodness for thus product. How about using it for clarinet? These toddlers have a high affinity for cute, round things, and you should be careful around them with this product. Vaseline is a commonly used alternative to cork grease. Many chapsticks will include extra scents or flavors to make them smell and taste better. I was impressed by its cork material. Let's dive into the options here. That way, you can keep the cork in good condition along with the rest of your instrument. The problem with the majority of cork greases is the unpleasant smell. If you are new to lanolin-based cork grease, it might take time to get used to this consistency. If so, please share with your friends and HAPPY PLAYING! Valve oil is much thinner than trombone slide oil, so that the slide oil may be too thick for your trumpet valves. Error posting question. Care and maintenance after playing - Yamaha Corporation Or, you could simply borrow some cork grease from a friend. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. I can call Vandoren cork grease value for money as it gets the job done perfectly and smells like apple. After playing for the day, wipe the cork and get it grease-free. Cork grease should be used only when it becomes difficult to slide the joints of your instrument together. If you need to use something on your slides, the trombone slide oil may not be dense enough. Basically though, youll looking for a stable wax mixed with an oil that wont go bad. Lets look at some of the best cork greases available. Before putting any of your backup piccolos in storage, you should give it a nice layer of the grease. If youre trying to save money, cork grease only costs a couple bucks and can last years. Some key oils are thicker than others, so look for a thinner key oil if you want to use it on your trumpet. The downside of Vaseline is that it can hold the cork together with its glue, which can eventually stop the instrument from functioning correctly. The joint is a bit of a tight fit, so I wanted to make sure it didn't get stuck. Before you buy any grease, make sure your instrument has a cork. Amazon has encountered an error. Conn-Selmer Cork Grease for Woodwind Instruments (Cleaning and Care Product) (2929SG) Vandoren CR103 Bb Clarinet Traditional Reeds Strength 3; Box of 10. The best oil alternative for trumpet valves is synthetic oil from brands like Fat Cat. The process of applying cork grease changes significantly based on the age of the clarinet. You can apply your hair clipper oil to the valves on your trumpet to lubricate them. Typically lip balms will dry out faster too, leaving dried residue on your instrument. Lip balm looks similar so can you use it on your clarinet or saxophone cork? Cork grease is used to improve the clarinet corks' moisture so that the cork lasts longer and doesn't crack and break. I was impressed by the clean storage, and the clarinet was not left with a heavy scent. Any cork that has become, from the instrument needs to be replaced at a, . The bottom line is that Vaseline works great as an alternative to cork grease but if it penetrates the cork, can cause the glue holding the cork to stop working. My first impression of this cork grease was the pleasant blossom smell that it produced. Deep Cleaning Your Clarinet: 10 Easy Steps With Tips. ), Hi, Im Robert Davis. The lanolin cork grease from Instrument Clinic is sold in 3 jars of 0.25oz each. WD-40 can penetrate deep enough to get the valve to move. Sure, theres a cork in the headjoint near the closed end, but Im talking about the opening of the body. While these oils all contain the same ingredients, their viscosity can make them more or less effective for certain things. Whenever he is not performing, he teaches individual online classes. In our guide, we recommend the Vandoren cork grease as it has been a household brand in the musical world. We also participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Vaseline or petroleum jelly are sometimes used instead of cork grease, but I dont recommend these because they can destroy the cork as it is oil-based. Assembly Taking care not to apply pressure to the main body keys, attach the foot to the body with a gentle twisting motion. While replacement corks arent that expensive its a real pain for a beginner to put them onto the clarinet. So, does the cork grease melt or does it remain intact when its hot? Ive had great results with Rico. It will as well lead to more permanent compressing of the cork, which will lead to air leaking out of the mouthpiece. SUEWIO Bb Clarinet Traditional Reeds, Strength 2.5, 10 Pack with Portable Case. Yamaha is yet another amazing woodwind instrument and accessory brand. Even if you gift it to your daughter or son, he/she will use it without safety issues. Rico by D'Addario Bb Clarinet Reeds - Reeds for Clarinet - Thinner Vamp Cut & Unfiled for Ease . The tone hole cleaner has an inner core of wire and a soft, lacy outer surface. On the other hand, it never hurts to use the grease on a used piccolo. I bought this cork grease to use on my piccolo, which has cork on the portion that connects to the headjoint. As with any oil, start with a tiny amount of it and increase the amount slowly. Its used to both lubricate the cork for instrument assembly and also to seal the joints for proper airflow. This means the clarinet can dry faster. The tree-to-bottle harvesting . If sewing machine oil is all you have, you may choose to use a bit on your trumpet valves, and it wont leave deposits in the valves. The two products serve the same purpose of lubricating a part of an instrument. The typical nature of the clarinet is that it gets drier and stiffer as you keep playing. How do I know if my instrument needs to be fixed? For example, the Armstrong 204 and other all-metal models dont feature a cork on the body tenon. You can also put it on your finger first and then apply it to the cork. How to Fix a Crack in Your Piccolo: What You Need to Know, Gemeinhardt Piccolo Guide: Metal, Plastic, and Wood. 4.5 out of 5 stars 25. What Are the Best Oil Alternatives for Trumpet Valves? Lets dive into the options here. Read more. We count on the collaboration of experienced players among the different instruments, whether by writing or reviewing articles.Meet our special contributors here. You shouldnt use rotor oil on newer trumpet valves because rotor oil is much thicker. I have used this cork grease quite a few times and was pleased by its ability to protect the cork for a long time. Since sewing machines have plastic parts and trumpets have metal parts, sewing machine oil isnt going to be the best. As you cannot skip this lubricant, you should either go with the regular cork grease or use lanolin oil or other products mentioned in this article. This is a great product that boasts 100% natural ingredients and is also usable for all woodwind instruments like clarinets, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, and oboe, among others. This will last longer. This is a single-unit cork grease by Rico, and it comes with all-natural ingredients. But first, this post contains affiliate links. Try to apply as little grease as possible to the instruments cork. Applying cork grease to a clarinet needs proper knowledge and skill. Alternatives To Cork Grease: Some Will Surprise You Cork Grease - USDA Organic All-Natural cork lubricant for clarinet It may seem like the grease can help, but it can stick to the metal and attract dust, making your problems worse. How to replace a clarinet cork - Clarinet Expert This can lead to the neck being possibly bent. My husband has been playing sax for over 50 years and says best grease, doesnt cake. When using oil, be sure to avoid using water to clean the instrument, but if you use a hybrid lubricant, the water can help add moisture to keep the oil from drying out. With all the variety of cork greases available, what is the best cork grease for clarinet? It also comes with a product user manual. We liked that it is USDA certified and comes with nontoxic ingredients from Mother Nature. Ive played the trumpet since first grade. Should Piccolo Players Also Play Low Flutes. If it goes wrong, it does not increase moisture and damages the quality of sound in the long run. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Piccolo Perfection | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. In fact, many swear by it and say that it even works better than cork grease. While you could get away without using it, you will be better off with it. This is helpful not only because I dont tear up the cork, but it also allows me a set it and forget it method when it comes to tuning because I know where the instrument is naturally in tune without having to adjust to new corks. Happy greasing and maintaining your clarinet! Cork grease also acts as a preservative, keeping the wooden cork moist and thick, in turn ensuring a good seal between parts of the instrument so that no air may leak through the joints upon playing. Many plant oils can be a great ingredient for cork grease but should not be used by themselves. Best cork grease for clarinet - Clarinet Expert There are many flutes to choose from not all are suitable for beginners. This combination stays longer and keeps your clarinet sweeter and more efficient. Please try again. 1. The reason why Charlotte prepared comprehensive experts touching on the various facets of the clarinet. Most cork greases will be made with natural products like sunflower oil and beeswax that will cause you no harm. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. If you have any doubts about how important cork grease is, this is what happens when its not used: When I bought a 2nd hand clarinet to replace my hire the previous owner hadnt used cork grease. Even if it did, I wouldnt have used it. Cork material is a natural product that appears on the bark tissue of the oak tree. The tube weighs only 0.2 ounces and was first availed to the market in 2004. You can usually find it at Walmart, your local musical instrument shop, or we have some all-natural cork grease that we recommend itll ship quick, right to your house. Select the Pickup option on the product page or during checkout. That way, you can keep the valves from sticking again. The only downside with Lanolin is that it is not widely available. Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Works on musical instrument connections including saxophone neck cork, clarinet and oboe tenon corks, bassoon bocals, and more. May cause residue. Good cork grease is not too slimy, neither is it too hard. In this case, you can opt for an unscented product like the Key Leaves cork grease. A: Grease (lubricant) - Wikipedia Clarinet Cork Grease, A Detailed Guide - Woodwind Breeze Try to apply, , it is important to check the corks on your instrument to see if they need to be replaced. Typically petroleum jelly (like Vaseline), lip balm, and lanolin are used as cork grease alternatives. Before you toss the tube that came with your piccolo, consider why it's so important and how to use it. Can degrade the glue that holds cork in place. After the replacement, you should get into the habit of using grease. A good quality cork grease is good to go with only a gentle amount. I find this a great idea as it is complete, and the player learns to keep the clarinet clean.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'woodwindbreeze_com-netboard-1','ezslot_15',176,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-woodwindbreeze_com-netboard-1-0'); The cork grease from this package glues well with the cork and avoids potential damages to the cork. This is what I currently use, and it works great. Cork grease is what you use on woodwind instruments to moisten the cork on the instrument body. If youre looking to buy cork grease online, use the two links below or visit our cleaning supplies section. If you are looking for a proven, top-quality grease, this should be your first stop. As a lubricating liquid, oils can be quite messy and will be harder and take longer to apply. This Conn Selmer cork greases tube contains 4.2g of grease and comes in a sleek Chap Stick tube. It is natural and easy to use on the instrument. This site is owned and operated by Freedom Content, LLC. Im sure no one likes horrible scents, but people also would rather have moderately scented cork greases. The one concern is that baby oil may also contain fragrance. However, did you know that you can also use lip balm as a cork grease substitute? These are purely anecdotal but some musicians say that these alternatives do the job too: If youre willing to do a little work and experiment a bit, you can make your own cork grease. If your piccolo uses a metal tenon, you should avoid grease. The natural beeswax will not deteriorate the cork, unlike petroleum-based greases. The tube comes in white greases that can be a little hard. After playing, use a cloth to wipe the grease off the corks and return the instrument to its case. It was previously made from animal products. The natural ingredients are enough to endear you to it as you are assured of a protected cork that remains soft and smooth. You can also add a drop of scented oil for smell. Gently spread the grease on the upper and lower joints of the cork. We may know that our instruments need periodic maintenance, but how often should you clean your instrument? Cork grease is a tube or container of grease that you apply to the corks of your woodwind instrument to soften the cork and make putting the pieces of the instrument together easier. Due to its sticky nature, you cannot use beeswax directly. When using the Vandoren, you may have to grease it less frequently as it is solid and does not melt. How often should I get my instrument serviced? In general though, lip balm wont offer the same lubrication and protection as cork grease. On the other hand, trombone slide oil isnt as syrupy as trumpet slide oil. To fully protect a joint cork for you instrument, applying it would be troublesome and youd probably have oil dripping inside and on the exterior of your instrument.