Cecilio clarinets are precision made instruments and are tested at our factory. Prior to shipping each instrument is inspected by skilled technicians at our southern California distribution center. However, because clarinets are fragile instruments they can get out of adjustment in the shipping process:  Keys can become bent, screws can come loose, or springs can become mis-aligned.  If this occurs, you may need to have your clarinet adjusted by a local technician.

Getting Started

It is necessary to assemble, clean, and tune your new clarinet prior to playing. Clarinets are delicate instruments and can be damaged easily. Handle with care. If you have a clarinet instructor, we recommend having your instructor assist you with assembling, cleaning and tuning your instrument for the first time.

If you cannot wait for assistance, follow the steps below:

• Lubricate all tenon-corks on the mouthpiece, upper, and lower joints with cork grease (included).  Apply an even coat of cork grease.
• Attach the barrel to the upper joint and the bell to the lower joint with a gentle twisting motion.  Align the logos with the keys.
• Connect the upper joint to the lower joint with a gentle twisting motion while gently depressing the ring keys on the upper joint to bring up the bridge upper key. The lower bridge key will slide under the upper bridge key.  Carefully assemble to avoid damage to bridge keys.  Align the upper joint bridge key on top of the lower joint bridge key.
• Connect the mouthpiece to the barrel with a gentle twisting motion

Attaching the Reed

• Moisten the thin end of the reed in your mouth or in a cup of water.
• Remove the ligature from the mouthpiece and position the reed on the mouthpiece so that the tip of the mouthpiece is seen just over the end of the reed.
• While holding the reed in place slide the ligature over the reed and mouthpiece, adjust to fit, and tighten the ligature screws.

Tuning

• Pitch is affected by temperature,  warm your clarinet before playing by blowing air through it.
• Use a chromatic tuner or piano
• The tuning pitch for the clarinet are C and G
• Play a C and G on the piano or find it on your tuner
• To tune, pull barrel slightly away from the body. The length you pull the barrel out depends on individual preference and method of playing.  Further adjustment can be made to your intonation by pulling out on the upper and lower joints.

Maintenance

Remember to disassemble and thoroughly clean the instrument after playing, especially prior to placing it in its case for storage between playing sessions. It is recommended that you follow the routine below to ensure that the instrument is kept in peak condition by using the products contained in the Clarinet Care Kit (Model C-CCK)

In addition to the steps described below it is recommend that you take your instrument to a skilled technician at least once a year to be serviced.

Removing the reed

• Remove the reed from the mouthpiece by loosening the ligature and sliding it off.  Gently dry the reed with a clean cloth and place it in a reed holder.

Cleaning the interior

• After playing, always insert the cleaning swab into your clarinet to remove moisture.
• After each use, rub the outside of the mouthpiece with a soft cloth  scrub the inside of your mouthpiece with a mouthpiece brush.  Use lukewarm water and mild soap.  Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.

Cleaning the Pads

• Dry the pads by inserting a cleaning pad paper between it and the tone hole.  Lightly press the key down and carefully pull the paper away.

Cleaning the exterior

• After each use, rub on outside of your instrument with a polishing cloth to remove particles and fingerprints.
• Use a key brush once a week to remove dust or lint which accumulates around post, springs and under key rods.
• Use a pipe cleaner on hard to reach surfaces.
• Tenons collect moisture, especially at the upper and lower joints. Remove all moisture from tenons cork with gauze.
• Apply small amounts of cork grease on neck cork to maintain the quality of the cork, and to assemble mouthpiece easier. Remember:  always remove the mouthpiece when not in use.

Other helpful hints

• Avoid fluids that contain sugar prior to playing. If drinking or eating prior to playing rinse out
  your mouth.
• Remove your clarinet from its case by lifting it from the edges
• Remember to always store your clarinet in its case when not in use to prevent damage.
• Your instrument is a valuable item and should be treated with respect.  Following the guidelines above, your instrument should provide you and your listeners with years of enjoyment.
• If you are uncertain after reading these guidelines on how to assemble and clean your Cecilio clarinet, seek advice at your local music store or from a music teacher.
• Damage caused by incorrect assembly and/or inappropriate handling will not be covered by the warranty.

Cecilio Musical Instruments Warranty Information

The terms and conditions listed here will govern all warranty claims for Cecilio Musical Instruments products.

These terms and conditions cover all instruments manufactured and distributed by Cecilio Musical Instruments. There is no additional warranty, express or implied.

Cecilio Musical Instruments warrants its instruments to be free of defect in material and construction for 1-year from the date of purchase. Warranty excludes accessories and cases. Please see below for limitations and restrictions to this warranty. Cecilio Musical Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace any item found to have been defective in materials or manufacture under the terms stated here. Cecilio Musical Instruments shall be the sole arbiter of eligibility for warranty repair or replacement. Cecilio Musical Instruments liability is limited to repair or replacement of defective items.

To be eligible for warranty coverage, the original purchaser of the item must return the defective item, together with the original receipt of purchase, to Great Musical Instruments. Great Musical Instruments will then make arrangements with Cecilio Musical Instruments for repair or replacement of the defective item.

Cecilio Musical Instruments reserves the right to make changes to this warranty. The policies in place at the time of purchase will be honored.

Restrictions:

• The 1-year warranty applies only to original purchaser of instrument.
• Warranty does not cover strings, reeds, cases or other free accessories.
• Damage caused by neglect or misuse of instrument is not covered
• Delicate instruments are affected by climatic conditions.  Exposure to excessive heat, cold, dryness, or moisture is considered neglect
• Instrument adjustment is not covered by this warranty.
• Normal wear caused by normal use of items is not covered by this warranty.
• Natural products, such as wood, cannot be guaranteed against cracking, seam separation, warping of fingerboard or chipping.