The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2006-03-28 18:30
In my youth I was told that dutch rush is necessary for reed fixing. During those days I went to Chinese drug shop and then to musical shops. At present it became difficult to get it in both places in Japan.
Now I found this URL.
http://www.tcnj.edu/~mckinney/
equisetum_hymale.htm
The author of this URL, a professor of clarinet, says that we should get it from plant shop and dry it up for some period by ourselves and that the dutch rush purchased from musicall shops for 4.5$ is worthless.
Is this a usual way to get proper dutch rush among professionals?
BTW: This is a URL where a professor of a musical instrument states the content of his course in such detail.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2006-03-28 18:47
Dutch rush grows wild in sandy soil near water. I used to pick it in bunches at Interlochen. Layer it between sheets of newspaper, press it flat and let it dry. (Don't use plastic or it will rot.)
The stuff sold in plastic boxes in music stores is usually dried out and falls to pieces. Instead, go to a fancy florist and ask for horsetail rush (the plant's other name).
Better yet, get a Tweezerman diamond dust nail file, available at most large drug stores or hair-dressing and manicure products stores. I've had one for many years. It never wears out and does exactly the same as rush.
Even cheaper: Cut a 1/2" x 4" strip of 400 grit wet-or-dry (black) sandpaper, wrap it over your fingertip and put the reed on a piece of flat glass to sand it.
Ken Shaw
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-03-28 19:55
I am partial to using the Vandoren glass reed wand (and glass reed surfacer). It provides excellent pin point control when working specific areas of the reed.
It is a tool which should last a lifetime as long as you don't drop it ...GBK (who recently had to order a replacement)
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