Chloe Zhang
Plastic recorders are a popular instrument choice for beginners, especially for young children. They are inexpensive, durable, and easy to clean. However, one common issue with plastic recorders is that the joints can become stuck, making it difficult to assemble or disassemble the instrument. This can be caused by residue along the casting joints, improper use of joint grease, or fluctuations in temperature and humidity during storage. To unstick a plastic recorder joint, one can try rocking the joint back and forth, applying gentle pressure, or placing it under warm running water to slightly expand the plastic. Regular cleaning and maintenance, such as using a cleaning solution or warm water with detergent, can help prevent dirt, saliva, and bacteria buildup and ensure smooth joint movement.
How to Unstick a Plastic Recorder Instrument
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First step | Try rocking the joint instead of turning it |
| Next steps | Put the instrument on your lap and gently press down on the piece hanging off your leg to break the seal within the joint |
| Put the joint under warm running water | |
| Preventative measures | Keep the instrument clean |
| Store it somewhere with stable temperature and humidity | |
| Avoid using too much joint grease | |
| Cleaning | Wash with warm water and a small amount of detergent |
| Soak in a mixture of hot water, dish soap, and vinegar | |
| Clean with a Velcro strip | |
| Use a dishwasher on a light setting | |
| Use a cleaning solution |
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What You'll Learn
Rock the recorder's joints
If the joints of your plastic recorder are stuck, the first thing to try is not turning, but rocking the joint. If you've tried twisting the pieces and they feel jammed together, try rocking the recorder backwards and forwards a little. For example, hold the middle joint still and put pressure on the head joint as if you were making a doll nod its head. This is sometimes enough to get the tenon unstuck, and you can go back to twisting it off.
If rocking the joints does not work, try putting the instrument over your lap and pressing gently down on the piece hanging off your leg. This will help to break the seal within the joint, whether it is a vacuum or just gunk adhering the pieces. Take care that you don't press too hard, though – you don't want to damage the tenon.
If that doesn't work, try putting the joint under warm running water (not too hot). What you are trying to do here is expand the plastic on the outer part of the joint just a little.
If your plastic recorder has a loose joint, you can try using plumber's Teflon tape, cork, waxed thread, or silicone grease. Tape is very thin and easy to apply in the required thickness, but it won't last forever. Cork is designed for clarinets and oboes, so it may be too thick for a recorder and will need to be shaved down. Waxed thread is wrapped around the joint until the desired thickness is achieved, and professionals prefer this to cork because the diameter is more easily changed. Silicone grease is also an option and can be applied with a small wooden stick or a toothpick. Just be sure to avoid getting any grease on the outside of your recorder.
To prevent sticky joints in the future, be sure to keep your instrument clean and stored in a place with stable temperature and humidity. A simple wash with warm soapy water will prevent the build-up of anything unsavoury. Clean your recorder regularly (once a month if you play it frequently), gently dry it to remove excess water, and let it air dry.
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Use warm water
Using warm water is an effective way to unstick a plastic recorder. This method is particularly useful if the recorder is jammed at the joints. First, try rocking the joint backwards and forwards a little. Hold the middle joint still and apply pressure to the head joint as if making a doll nod its head. If this doesn't work, place the recorder over your lap and gently press down on the piece hanging off your leg to break the seal within the joint.
If the joint is still stuck, the next step is to use warm water. Hold the recorder under warm running water (not too hot). The aim here is to expand the plastic on the outer part of the joint slightly. You can also try filling the windway with warm water from the window end. Then, drain the water and blow out any excess liquid before letting the recorder dry.
To avoid getting your recorder stuck in the first place, it's important to clean it regularly. Wash the recorder with warm soapy water and gently dry it to remove excess water. Let it air dry completely. This will get rid of any dust or particulates that have accumulated in the joints, holes, and mouthpiece.
It's also important to note that plastic recorders are more prone to clogging than wooden instruments because there is no surface to absorb condensation. To minimize clogging, warm up the head joint before playing, aiming to get it as close to body temperature as possible. This can be done by holding the head joint under your arm or in your hand, or by putting it in your pocket for a few minutes.
In addition to warm water, some people also use a small amount of detergent when cleaning their plastic recorders. This can help to remove built-up residue and prevent clogging. However, it's important to avoid using solvents such as acetone or lacquer thinner, as these can melt the plastic.
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Avoid excess grease
Excess grease is a common issue with plastic recorders, and it can cause joints to stick. To avoid this, it is important to understand that joints on plastic recorders are designed to fit together precisely. Therefore, only a small amount of grease is required to facilitate smooth movement.
When applying grease to the joints of a plastic recorder, it is important to remember that a little goes a long way. A light smear of grease is usually sufficient to do the job. It is tempting to think that more grease will make the joints even smoother, but this is not the case. Joint grease adds width to the joint, and too much can cause the parts to bind.
If you have applied too much grease, you can try to wipe off the excess with a soft paper towel. This will help to remove the bulk of the grease, but some residue may remain. You can then try using a detergent to clean the joint and remove any remaining grease. Warm soapy water can also be used to clean the joints and prevent excess grease buildup.
It is also important to store your plastic recorder in a stable environment with consistent temperature and humidity levels. Significant changes in temperature can cause the plastic to expand or contract, affecting the fit of the joints. By maintaining a stable environment, you can help prevent the joints from sticking due to expansion or contraction of the plastic.
Finally, it is worth noting that not all plastic recorders require grease. Some recorders have joints that are designed to fit together without it. If your recorder did not come with grease or instructions to apply grease, it is best to avoid using it.
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Store in a stable environment
Plastic recorders are more stable than wooden instruments, but they still need to be stored in a stable environment. This means that you should avoid keeping your plastic recorder in a place with variable temperature and humidity. For example, do not leave it out on a sunny windowsill, as this can cause the plastic to warp or crack. Instead, store it in a room where the temperature is less variable.
Additionally, it is important to keep your plastic recorder clean. Dirt can get lodged inside the instrument as you play it, and this can cause blockages in the airways, which will affect the sound of the recorder. To clean your plastic recorder, first, remove the head joint by twisting and pulling it gently. Then, soak the separate pieces in a mixture of warm water and mild dish detergent for 15 minutes. Use a bottle brush to scrub the inside of the recorder, paying particular attention to the windway, where dirt, scum, and even mould can build up. Rinse the pieces with warm water and allow them to air dry before reassembling the recorder.
You should also avoid using too much joint grease, as this can cause the joints to become stuck. If you need to lubricate the joints, use a small amount of the grease that came with your instrument, or try lanolin, silicone grease, or even ChapStick.
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Clean regularly
To prevent your plastic recorder from getting stuck, it is important to clean it regularly. This is because dirt, saliva, body oils, and bacteria can transfer from your hands and mouth to the recorder, causing sticky joints. To avoid this, clean your recorder every one to two weeks.
Firstly, take the mouthpiece off the recorder by twisting it off the base. Then, fill your kitchen sink with enough warm water to submerge the recorder. Add some dish soap and a squirt of vinegar to the water. Vinegar will help to disinfect the recorder. Next, place the recorder and the mouthpiece in the soapy water and let it soak for about 10 minutes.
After soaking, scrub the recorder's exterior, and the mouthpiece's interior and exterior with a cleaning rag or cloth. Dip the rag in the soapy water as you scrub. You can also use a soft bottle brush to scrub the recorder's bore if needed. To clean grime out of the tone holes, use a dampened pipe cleaner.
Finally, rinse the recorder and mouthpiece with clean water and wipe them off with a cloth. Let them dry before assembling the recorder back together.
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Frequently asked questions
If the joints of your plastic recorder are stuck, try rocking the joint backwards and forwards a little. If that doesn't work, try putting the instrument over your lap and gently pressing down on the piece that's stuck. If that still doesn't work, try putting the joint under warm running water (not too hot).
To prevent your plastic recorder from getting stuck, avoid using too much joint grease and store your recorder in a place with stable temperature and humidity.
You should clean your plastic recorder every 1-2 weeks with an inexpensive cleaning solution.
To clean your plastic recorder, fill your kitchen sink with enough water to submerge the recorder (around 2 quarts of hot water). Add 1 squirt of dish soap and 1/4 cup of vinegar to the water.
After cleaning your plastic recorder, let it air-dry thoroughly overnight.
