Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

How to Change the Clarinet Key Color

Clarinets have 24 silver or nickel plated keys. Over time, the color of your clarinet keys will fade -- the sparkling keys will lose their luster as they become tarnished. This happens as your clarinet is exposed to air (oxidation) and as the oils of your fingers break down the shine and leave a residue on the keys. Cleaning your keys is part of regular maintenance associated with owning a clarinet. There are various methods you can employ to remove discoloration and restore the original color of your keys.

Things You'll Need

Silver polish cloth
Silver or nickel polish
Cotton cloths

Instructions

- 1
  Clean your clarinet keys with a silver polish cloth. These cloths are infused with silver polish and are a great way to polish silver without using messy oils or gels. Rub each key gently, paying attention to small grooves were oil from your hands gets trapped, until the keys return to their original color.
- 2
  Use a cotton cloth with a dime-size amount of a high-quality silver or nickel polish to clean the keys. Choose a liquid polish that is nonabrasive to reduce the amount of metal that is removed from the keys during each cleaning. This is ideal for older clarinets with a thick layer of tarnish. Once you have rubbed away the tarnish, use a new, slightly wet cotton cloth to remove any excess polish from the keys.
- 3
  Wash your hands prior to playing your clarinet as regularly as possible. This simple habit will reduce the amount of oil that collects on your keys and prevent rapid discoloration.
- 4
  Take your clarinet to a music shop. They will be able to fully clean your keys and restore them to their natural luster. Do this once a year to keep your clarinet in top condition.

Other Hobbies