Swab A person's breath contains a lot of moisture and is generally warmer than the air where we play. This causes condensation on the inside of the clarinet during playing. Condensation must be removed from the instrument regardless of whether the clarinet is made from wood, plastic, or metal. Failure to do so is not only unhygienic, but can also lead to damaged pads or, in the case of a wooden instrument, serious deformation of the bore. The most common method for removing condensation is to use a swab.
Swabs come in various shapes, sizes, materials, and colors.
The basic configuration is a rectangular piece of material that is drawn through the clarinet by a weighted string or chain. Cork Grease Cork is used at the joints of a clarinet to help make a snug, air-tight seal. Corks should fit tightly. However, tight corks often make assembly and disassembly difficult. Cork grease helps by lubricating the joint between cork and wood.