Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2021-12-31 08:31
I completely get what you mean. I'm also still very much on cane, and in spite of a lot of effort, I haven't been able to get to grips with synthetic reeds yet.
I'm a plant scientist by profession, but not super-up to date on climate change. I do get it a bit though.
Here's what I understand of the likely effects on cane:
It seems as though the climate is generally changing in all sorts of ways, which are not really predictable just now.
For example, if the jet stream moved, then the climate of all sorts of places in Europe could change quite a lot. Then it might become harder to grow cane in the usual places, but there might be other places where it is possible to grow it. While that process of change goes on, I imagine that it might be hard to find one stable place in which to grow it at all.
However, from what I have read, if the jetstream moves that much, then running out cane clarinet reeds may be the least of our problems, unfortunately.
I suppose in a less radical outcome, or perhaps sooner, we might see slight changes to the climate that stop short of the jetstream moving. In that case, the places where the reeds are grown might have small changes in climate, and the reeds might become either noticeably better or worse. There might also be harvest failures sometimes if there is an extreme weather event in the area. Conversely there might be a fanastic vintage of reeds one year, if they have really great weather. At the same time, cane grown in other regions might get a bit better or a bit worse in the opposite direction, depending on how the climate changes there.
I think the main summary is:
- We don't know anything at this level of granularity.
- We really really don't want to have to find out, because stability is the best thing all round, hence COP26 and all that.
- If the climate changes enough to cause trouble for clarinet reeds, then we probably have other bigger problems to cope with.
On the plus side, paying people to grow loads of plants seems to help the with CO2 emissions, so with our reed-buying habit we are probably helping. (I hope!?)
Does that seem right?
Sorry - maybe this is the really obvious big-picture and you are looking for something more specific from people who grow reeds right now and are already seeing changes. I don't know about that, but I will hunt around and see if the grass people know.
Adult learner, Grade 3
Equipment: Yamaha Custom CX Bb, Fobes 10K CF mp,
Legere Soprano Sax American Cut #2, Vandoren Optimum German Lig.
Post Edited (2021-12-31 08:34)
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