Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2022-01-06 15:49
I think you're absolutely right on all counts.
My feeling, with my biologist hat on, is that if we don't solve this problem, then Mother Nature will solve it for us. Her usual tools for dealing with over-population are famine, war and disease, all of which tend to reduce population pretty swiftly. Going by the current covid situation, I would say she's already kicked off with the disease option, unfortunately. (sorry - that's a bit of a glum thought).
Looking at the more cheerful side of things, as hobbies go, I think that playing an accoustic instrument is pretty great for being environmentally friendly.
I mean if you think of it as compared to other common hobbies:
- Doing loads of different construction projects (loads of consumables and power tools)
- Taking tons of foreign holidays (jet fuel).
- Being a gourmet cook with a passion for imported food.
- Fast fashion, where clothes are bought and worn only a few times before throwing away.
These are not good for the environment.
Conversely, a clarinet just requires the one-off purchase of an instrument, and some reeds. That's it. No charging or new tools and hardly any consumables really except a few reeds. No more travel after it reaches your house.
Playing music is also a brilliant way to spread harmony and keep people friendly, and that is an important thing when nerves are frayed, as they are at the moment. Hugely important I think.
So if we could all resist the temptation to buy non FSC-certified blackwood clarinets, then I think we are in a pretty good place. Then we need to look after our clarinets as though they were made of gold dust. So dry them thoroughly, store them carefully, get them serviced, and generally love them to bits.
Also it would be good to pass on our spare clarinets, so people who need one, do not need to buy a new one, but can buy secondhand.
It's also great to share wisdom about how to maintain them, as is done so beautifully on this list. The longer a clarinet lasts, the fewer trees have to be cut down to make new ones.
Also advice on how to make reeds last is really helpful, and how to get as many reeds as possible to actually work, so we don't need to bin them. That is great too.
Then we need to sit tight, play and love our clarinets, and try not to burn too many fossil fuels while do it. That's my take on it.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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