What is the secret to successful improvisation?
October 5, 2023
Are there any special instructions for looking after reeds in different climates or weather conditions?
October 18, 2023
1. Hi Alexandre! Can you share with us your role and responsibilities in the production of cane tubes?
As a Specialist in the early stages of cane tube production, my main responsibility lies in transforming cane stems into high-quality tubes.
I meticulously inspect the canes for straightness, remove any irregularity, and carefully examine their color.
The stems are first cut into tubes using a large-diameter circular saw.
The tubes are then measured in diameter and thickness, and classified into categories: clarinet, thick clarinet (for German reeds), alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, and baritone saxophone.
Concerning soprano sax, at this stage, we actually use the same diameter tubes as those used for the alto saxophone.
For the bass clarinet, we also use the same diameter as for the tenor saxophone. We are working with a semi-finished product at this stage.
2. Can you tell us more about your process for selecting the color and appearance of the cane?
The color of the cane should be golden yellow, much like a well-baked loaf of bread. Sometimes, a wrinkled tube comes from cane that lacks structure, indicating low density. During the drying process, canes can potentially contract when losing some of their moisture. This results in an inadequate reed. Therefore, we discard any cane with wrinkles during the sorting process. On the other hand, small "chestnut-colored" spots that may appear on the cane are entirely normal and natural, and they do not affect the quality of a reed in any way.
3. Would you like to add anything for our community of musicians?
I hope I have provided you with some insights into the tube selection process. Each step is crucial, and we never compromise on quality. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all the devoted musicians in the Steuer community for your continued loyalty.
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