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Bore Oil For Wooden Clarinets

Wooden clarinets are sometimes subject to cracking. Cracking can occur if part of the wood absorbs moisture and expands while other sections are too dry; the difference in pressure may cause a crack. The same can be said of temperature. If you blow hot air through a cold instrument, the temperature difference can cause the bore to expand while the outside remains cold and contracted. Either way, the pressure on the wood is inconsistent and cracking is possible.

If your instrument has a very dry bore, it is a good idea to oil it (best done during cold months). To oil the bore, place a few drops of bore oil on an old swab and pull the swab through the instrument. The important thing is that if you do it once, you must then do it regularly i.e. once every two weeks or so during the winter months or more often in very dry climates.

Do not use anything except the correct bore oil which is formulated from light mineral oils that will not turn rancid. Oiling the bore will not affect your clarinet’s tone or response.