Klarinet Archive - Posting 000898.txt from 1999/06

From: James Fay <n3hpz@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Fwd: RE: MD Arundo Donax
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 09:05:58 -0400

---------- Forwarded Message ----------
Subject: RE: MD Arundo Donax
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 17:31:23 -0400
From: "Fay, James S." <jfay@-----.us>

It is worth a try. The Kalmen Opperman "Handbook for Making and Adjusting
Single Reeds" has the minimum diameter needed (I forget).

Chuck Oliveri (we have had several phone conversations about cane) seems to
say that it is mostly important to let the cane dry thoroughly, rather than
leave out in the sun, as most books state, hence my putting them in the
ceiling area of a storage shed (which is hot and dry, almost like an oven,
and is the same place I dry herbs). Also, leaving cane out in the sun (and
the weather) makes the tubes warp (I know from experience).

Local County extension agent might be able to say if those plants are arundo
donax or some other form.

Best propagation method would be to try to dig up the tubers and replant
them (maybe splitting them up).

It took 2 years growth to get good cane. I had been cutting after 1 year and
it was too pithy--also harmed the plants.

Jim

=============

-----Original Message-----
From: David B. Niethamer [mailto:dnietham@-----.edu]
Subject: RE: MD Arundo Donax

on 6/23/99 6:40 PM, you. wrote:

>Yes, finally harvested a batch last month, it is drying in a storage shed
>and looks real good.
>
What diameter are the tubes, and how thick are the walls? How long did it
take to grow the tubes to that size?

>Cane came from Columbia, SC via Tommy Lawrence who got it from a neighbor,
>Tommy was on the clarinet list many years ago.
>
>Should grow ok in Richmond...might have to mulch it in winter.
>
>Not sure where to get some, but I'll be moving to Annapolis soon, so will
be
>digging up the tubers, dividing and propagating them. I owe some of it to a
>colleague, but I'll see what is left.

Here in Richmond, there is some stuff that grows "wild" in the alleyways
in the city. Our principal oboist took some tubes (they were pretty
small) and made a reed or two, without much in the way of curing/drying.
He said if he'd had the patience to cure the cane that it might be OK. If
I can get some of this, might it work? Or did you get some specific and
special plant?

Thanks for the info - this could be fun (and yet another way to waste
time and keep from practicing!!)

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/
--
Jim and Barbara Fay
n3hpz@-----.com
http://www.erols.com/n3hpz

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