Week 12

Key corking was the topic of this week. After the clarinet is padded it is time to put cork on the keys at articulation points and foot corks. When corking there are many different materials that can be used. The most common material is natural cork. Other materials that are used are composition cork, Valentino cork, Gummi cork, felt, leather, and teflon. People are experimenting with different materials everyday because they are looking for new material that will uphold the stresses put on it by the instrument. For instance on the low A-flat/E-Flat key the foot cork is usually in contact with a small surface. The small surface puts all of the pressure in one area which wears that cork out faster than the rest of the touch piece. Using a stronger material on this key is recommended so that the cork does not have to be replaced frequently.

The cork is contact cemented on to the key

Under the touchpiece

Rough trimmed cork

Fine trimming and adding the bevel

Finished key cork on the A-flat/E-flat key