I was practicing today, and I found that my notes were all spitty sounding. I checked the bocal - no spit in there. Does that mean that it's in the boot joint?

I know how to clean it; I use my drop cloth every time I play. I realize that I can take it apart and clean the spit out. But what happens if I'm in a situation when I can't take the whole instrument apart (concert, or whatever)? Is there an way to get rid of spit without a total teardown?

Thank you!

Normally, there's only 2 places moisture collects that can cause you trouble, one, the reed (take it off and blow it out from the "round" end), and the other is the bocal (take it off and blow hard through the end you put the reed on). There are occasions when you could get a spluttery note because moisture has collected in one of the finger holes. You can lean down and blow into those (the ones which slant upwards are the problem-causers). If your tone holes are lined this is probably not the cause. Also, not likely a problem, but check your whisper key hole in the bocal (take the bocal off and blow hard through this tiny hole).

Thank you so much!

Drew's absolutely right. Just thought i'd add that you can usually tell if you have a clogged finger hole because your finger gets wet :p
and also it might be worth blowing under your speaker keys, you can get bubbles there too.

Ok, Ruth, what is a "speaker key?"

The higher keys for your left thumb, that you use for the A, B and C just below (and including) middle C. I call them speaker keys, cus that's what my teacher used to call them. They're really small holes so it's not hard for them to get clogged up.

When I was playing in the school orchestra, my boot collected a heap of water, which I poured out in front of the first clarinet. But I was playing for about 4 hours a day and I produce heaps of spit. So it doesn't normally collect that much water.

I stepped into the orchestra for another school last year because they were playing scheherazade and their one bassoonist wasn't up to it. WEEKS we rehearsed that piece - got to the concert, then just when the massive solo at the start of the second movement starts, i get bubbles in my crook. Solo was ruined! Would have been soooooo perfect otherwise! I was absolutely gutted. grr.