Setting up your reed to your mouthpiece
Identify and remove the reed holder from the storage compartment in
yout case.
Carefully take out a reed from the holder and place the reed in your mouth
for a minute. The reed needs to be moistened before you can place it on
the mouthpiece. Some people prefer to place it in a small glass of water,
but it is best to place it in your mouth.
(TIP: You can place the reed in your mouth when you begin to assemble
your clarinet. By the time you get the parts together, the reed should be
moist enough to put onto your mouthpiece.)
Now place the FLAT side of the moistened Reed on the FLAT side of the
Mouthpiece. Look carefully at the top of the mouthpiece to see that the top
edge of the reed (the thin edge) is even with the edge of the mouthpiece.
Take the ligature out of the case. Make sure the screws are loose so that
you can slip it over the reed. While holding the Reed in position with your left
thumb, CAREFULLY place the ligature over the mouthpiece and reed. DO NOT
TOUCH THE THIN PART OF THE REED as this may render it useless for play-
ing. Push the ligature down on the mouthpiece so that it covers the smooth
part of the Reed. Slowly tighten the screws on the ligature until they are
snug, but not too tight. This will hold the Reed in place while you are playing.
Your clarinet is now completely assembled and should look like the draw-
ings in this brochure. All the logos should be lined up in exactly the same
position. No single logo should be off to the left or right of the center of
your clarinet. This will ensure that you will be able to play without difficulty.
Taking care of your reed
We have provided you with an extra reed for your instrument.
The reed is the very heart of the instrument. A reed is made
of cane or wood. Like most woods, it is affected by dryness
and moisture. Your reed will be moist all of the time you are playing your
instrument. Care should be taken not to hit the tip (the thin end) of the reed
so that it will last you over a longer period of time. It is not possible to tell
how long a reed will last as it depends upon how often you play, how you
take care of it and how you store it. However, when you see that the reed is
split, you should change it. Also, when it begins to get difficult to play notes
(they either squeak or seem to be harder to blow) it usually means that the
reed is getting too soft, or it is split. This is the time to change it and you
will notice an immediate difference when playing with a new reed. Reeds
are not expensive, and you should always have 1 or 2 spare ones in your
storage compartment.
When finished practicing
Loosen the ligature. Carefully remove the reed. Dry it with the cleaning cloth
(supplied with your new Adagio Clarinet) starting at the thick end moving
towards the tip. Be very careful at the tip. Return it to the Reed Holder. Take
off the Ligature and remove the mouthpiece.
Put the Ligature back on the mouthpiece and tighten it slightly to keep it there.
Put the cap over the mouthpiece and return it to the case. The cap is used to
protect the mouthpiece, but can also be used when you have a reed on the
mouthpiece to protect the reed should you not be playing at that moment and
setting your instrument down.
Remove the barrel next. Hold the upper joint near the top with one hand while
handling the barrel with your other hand. Slowly twist the barrel back and forth
until it comes off and put it back in its place in the case. Wipe out the inside
with the cleaning cloth. Separate the upper and lower joints. Press down on
the bridge key of the upper joint so the bridge is raised. Slowly and carefully
twist the sections back and forth until they come apart. DO NOT turn them
around and around! Wipe out this section with the cleaning cloth.
Return the upper joint to the proper compartment in the Case. Hold the bottom
joint in one hand and the bell in the other hand. Slowly twist the Bell back and
forth until it is separated from the lower joint. Wipe out the joint and the bell
with the cleaning cloth.Return the lower joint and bell to the Case.
Your New ADAGIO Clarinet
6
7
Reed
Align the
reed with the
top of the
mouthpiece
Mouthpiece
