The only “perfect” oboe reed is the one you make for yourself. Video | How to finish scraping an oboe reed (3/5) | How To Make Oboe Reeds says: November 23, 2020 at 2:57 pm Honestly, there isn't much in this video that isn't already demonstrated or explained in the previous two videos, but feel free to post any questions or comments. This is how the oboe and the cor anglais differ. Let’s keep this positive. The oboe is constructed such that there is a piece of cork wrapped around part of it, and the cork is inserted into the upper section of the instrument. 2. There are more oboe manufacturers, oboe models and oboe sellers than ever before. Log In There are a lot of places out there to find oboe reeds. How to create a strong reed making foundation – learning to make reeds depends on mastering a few straightforward skills, and you’ll learn exactly what skills you need and some simple ways for getting them under your belt. You can The full reed making kit is great for oboists who want to learn to make reeds from scratch. How to Balance an Oboe Reed. This oboe reed making guide has 83 photos of individual steps making it simple and clear to follow its instructions. Since the reed is so thin it can easily chip or crack from even slight trauma. Therefore, considering everything, my recommendation to get young oboists is … The best way to prolong the life span of almost any reed is to make certain that it's kept in a reed case where the reed is kept safe. What to look for in a North American oboe reed without playing it5. Not the junk you find coming off some profiling machine somewhere. The crow is a multi-pitched sound. Soak new reeds in warm water for one minute. If you have visions of yourself standing on the edge of a cliff deciding whether or not to plunge into the river below… you can take a deep breath and get that picture out of your mind. Place the bottom joint inside the bell, slowly twisting and pushing until they are properly attached. And those first few months were the beginning of my reed “killing spree.”. Plus, the oboe world needs you too much to scare you away like that. The two reeds are placed face-to-face and are strapped to the metal pipe with strings. You can find guides on how to make reeds using the kits here. Next, let's make sure that your reed is in good working order. How much information am I going to have to digest?”. I speak about this more in the article oboe reed intonation introduction. So don’t despair, great reeds, your own great reeds are well within your grasp. Remember, this journey is one where all you need to do is take one step at a time. The wire is not used to control the opening of the reed. That’s where I come in. For an oboe reed to work at it's best (vibrate at its optimum level) it needs the be correctly balanced. This process is called “ breaking in the reed”. Reed making is an investment in you or your student’s future. For an oboe reed to work at it's best (vibrate at its optimum level) it needs the be correctly balanced. Plunking down a 200 page manual to take you from reed beginner to a master would create too much frustration. Just one thing… What is it? Testing an oboe reed – 4 tips to improve your oboe sanity! See more ideas about Oboe reed making, Oboe, Oboe reed. Rather, the wire stabilizes and focuses the tone of the notes above the staff. However, in the experiment, no sound is produced when the triangle-cut base of the reed is flattened. A well balanced reed will make a good 'crow' sound. How to Balance an Oboe Reed. We have two oboe reed making kits which include all of the tools needed to get going. If you look at the price of an individual oboe reed, the cost really adds up depending on how many hours a week you play the instrument. We use the same stuff for blanks as we use to make our reeds, so you’re likely to make some good reeds out of them. An oboe reed's fragility also makes it effortless to harm (chipping, cracking, etc.). And I am glad for you, for your sake. Of course there are hazards and pitfalls to watch out for, but the good news is that there is only one thing you have to concentrate on doing. Making great oboe reeds is in the grasp of even the most “mechanically” challenged. I have been taught how to make oboe reeds the old fashioned way- and it took years of training, frustration, and persistence, just to get it right for me. How to Balance an Oboe Reed. What are the key points when selecting an oboe? If the reed is too bright/ducky 1. Intro Reed making is an art, not a science. Attach the bell to the bottom joint, holding down the Bb key if there's one. You can reduce time spent breathing using circular-breathing techniques? http://mucony.com The world's renowned oboist, Liang Wang joined the New York Philharmonic in September 2006 as Principal Oboe. An oboe reed's fragility also makes it easy to damage (chipping of the tip, cracking, etc.). Clip a tiiiiiiny bit off the tip at a time. I was just starting oboe and needed a reed case for my reeds. Leaking (air escaping) The best way to prolong the life of any reed is to make sure it is stored in a reed case in which the reed is held tightly and securely. My own oboe reed making journey began on the day my teacher sat across from me in the Juilliard School and told me that in 6 months, I would no longer be allowed to purchase oboe reeds. After a day or two of using it, I opened the case to discover a orange-like rust everywhere. Here are a few simple ways to adjust flat oboe reeds without any reed making tools. Even though it is relatively simple, and many of you already know how to, you'll see some more detail and other options below, so I hope you will read through this even if you are already a seasoned reed maker. Making oboe reeds is a complicated process that takes years to master, but we can be happy while Oboe reed making. The Nitty Gritty Video Guide to Becoming a Better Oboe Player, 7 Ways to Get More Music Out of Your Oboe Reeds, One “lower than low” oboe reed that would let you play perfectly in tune with that creaky old church organ that hovers around 438, Exactly where you should scrape on the reed and how to keep your reed alive by, Learn which reed making tools you need and which ones are a. BUYING TIED OBOE reed blanks is a great time saver for busy teachers and professionals. Leaking (air escaping) And it is for a good reason… Because the benefits you will receive from the knowledge it contains will absolutely change your oboe life. Pitch (sharp or flat or change depending on note) 4. With a few simple tools (no expensive or complicated machinery) and some gouged, shaped and profiled cane (which you can buy from HERE) making your first oboe reed is genuinely easy! An oboe reed is made from shaving down an actual cane reed. Steps To Make an Oboe Reed You can find guides on how to make reeds using the kits here. But I believe that you are selling yourself short. Methods to test for a good American scrape oboe reed by playing 1. Becoming a master reed maker takes a lot of time, knowledge and practice. Some are made from the same "fish skin" (actually, cattle intestine) as the pads of a clarinet, and some are made from natural cork. Shop for Oboe Reeds, Books, Courses and More! Rubbing the oboe reed on clothing, getting it tangled in hair, hitting it on a tooth, or storing it improperly in a case can all lead to damage. Tone (does it make a nice sound) 5. A no-brainer right? Actually, the reason forces me to let you in on a little oboe reed secret…. So how do you get started making your own oboe reeds? For the oboe, a stable octave 'C' crow sound is most desirable. If the reed has a chirp, whistle, or extraneous sound 1. How To Make Oboe Reeds I put this website together to make an online resource for making oboe reeds. Shop Magic Reed. Emerald Oboe Reed Medium Soft. This results in a 3-inch (75mm) assembly. It was once said that "it takes a barrel of failed reeds to get good at it". The instant the reeds close, a sound almost exactly like hands clapping is produced and transmitted to the instrument, where the sound waves reverberate back from the tone holes and the opposite end of the oboe, opening the reeds up again and allowing breath to reenter. The reed is another factor that effects intonation immensely. If the opening is wrong, the reed will have the same problems with or without the wire. The wire is not used to control the opening of the reed. Here is part of an email which I received from Eli: “It has to do with the cane I buy, the gouge of that cane, the way I tie it on, and the subsequent opening of the finished reed. Oboe Reed Diagrams. Reed making is both art and science, but part of being a reed expert is knowing what you need to know NOW and what you will learn as you go. The oboist must be conscious of the oboe reed’s position at all times and guard the reeds from the dangers around them. 1. I tried this, but sadly, it failed. So you or your student wants to learn how to make oboe reeds - how exciting! Ready to buy oboe reeds that are simply the best? I’ve taken the whole reed making process, removed the fluff, taken out the advanced stuff and broken it down into manageable steps that will help anyone make their first oboe reed…. The reed is considered the part of oboe that makes the instrument so difficult because the individual nature of each reed means that it is hard to achieve a consistent sound. If you want to think in terms of oboe reeds, make a reed that plays well but is not "refined". Some are made from the same "fish skin" (actually, cattle intestine) as the pads of a clarinet, and some are made from natural cork. Oboe reed making, even for personal use, is not for the faint of heart. The crow is a multi-pitched sound. Just getting the cane to stay on the tube was a big challenge, let alone what transpired when I pulled the knife out of my bag and started scraping. I don’t always even remember the difference between a flat head and a phillips head screwdriver. Tone (does it make a nice sound) 5. It shows you are a normal person. Here’s a little diagram that pretty much says it like it is: Good Reeds = Happy Oboe Player Bad Reeds = Well, let’s not go there. Number one, you should never start oboe reed making alone. . It takes a long time to build up your technique and consistency. So to answer your question, the guide is about 50 pages, the absolute minimum I needed to take you from a a reed buyer to a reed maker. Not only that, but through my oboe reed business, (where we make handmade oboe reeds for players just like you) I’ve sold hundreds of thousands of dollars of oboe reeds to amateur and professional oboe players around the world. Why does the oboe lead the orchestra in tuning? (If they weren’t laughing so hard that they were unable to put a sentence together?). An instrument that is difficult but worth it! An oboe reed is made from shaving down an actual cane reed. The reed, in turn, is the voice box of the oboe—and the tiniest tweak in a double reed changes an oboe’s sound significantly. There are a few things that you should know before you embark on this journey, including all of the tools you'll need in your beginning oboe reed-making kit. If the reed is too open squeeze the tip closed between the thumb and index finger for 30 seconds The reed plays Flat 1)Squeeze the tip and heart area (about 1/3 ways back from the tip) Listen to the example on the right and imitate the sound that you hear. Resistance (too hard or soft) 2. It just isn’t necessary. And let me tell you, the view from the top is absolutely spectacular! The reed, in turn, is the voice box of the oboe—and the tiniest tweak in a double reed changes an oboe’s sound significantly. The reed adjusting kit is designed for the oboist who is interested in learning how to make their oboe reeds better by adjusting them. It’s never too early to start and the longer you wait the more you sacrifice in sound, money and how hard you think the oboe is to master. This online reed making lesson will help you refine your oboe … Changes in weather may shorten or extend a reed’s viability. For an oboe reed to work at it's best (vibrate at its optimum level) it needs the be correctly balanced; the reed should have the same thickness of cane on both front and back blades and on each half of both blades (see diagram, left).. Lastly, before the steps to making an oboe reed: be prepared to make 1000 bad reeds before they are good. If you are having a problem with your reed(s) the first step should The reed adjusting kit is designed for the oboist who is interested in learning how to make their oboe reeds better by adjusting them. Quality Oboe Reeds are handmade from scratch and hand finished to order. Therefore, considering everything, my recommendation to get young oboists is that: start with 3 … Video | How to finish scraping an oboe reed (3/5) | How To Make Oboe Reeds says: November 23, 2020 at 2:57 pm Honestly, there isn't much in this video that isn't already demonstrated or explained in the previous two videos, but feel free to post any questions or comments. Order | About | Crows | Contact Us | Privacy Policy & Terms and ConditionsSite by Lisa Tilson | Photography by Matt Dine. Creating a perfect reed, then, is an almost alchemical process, more aligned with wand-making than blacksmithing. Each material is used in specific places. Here’s just a taste of what the guide covers: Basically, I created the reed making guide that I never had. Wrap nylon around the reed at the end of the staple as tight as possible. This will make the reed darker, but will also make it more resistant. See more of Oboe Reedmaking on Facebook. Pitch (sharp or flat or change depending on note) 4. Two materials are used to make the pads. Complete access to the video demonstration library on the web. You will hopefully be introduced to new scraping techniques and processes that you can try customizing yourself! I want you to start your reed making journey with a bang, and to succeed early and often. Flexibility (sound and dynamics) 3. Try looking at your reeds from a profile and compare your reeds to the oboe reed diagram at the bottom of this page. Yep, sounds like a pie in the sky oboe reed dream right? Jun 25, 2016 - Learn the steps to make oboe reeds. After I caught my breath, it became painfully clear that I had exactly 180 days to sink or swim in the oboe world. Whether you are a student trying out a bunch of reeds you just bought from different […] The control over your oboe future (not to mention the way you sound) is plopped squarely into your lap, limited only by your creativity and your willingness to work. This is my method, but please experiment with it so you can find your own sound and style. and I will put it back in your pocket, no questions asked. If, after 6 months, you don’t feel that this guide has catapulted you ahead of where you were when you were buying oboe reeds, then I don’t want your money…. I’ve been making oboe reeds for a very long time and have killed more oboe reeds than most players will probably ever see in their lifetime. There are video demonstrations that can help you see what the reed making process looks like, but there are also diagrams and written out explanations to supplement the videos. Think of it more like a relaxed journey up the side of a beautiful mountain. My teacher was really picky and wouldn’t settle for anything less. You are about 9 days, 50 pages and a few videos away from making your own oboe reed. The best way to prolong the life span of almost any reed is to make certain that it's kept in a reed case where the reed is kept safe. If the reed is leaking it can make the reed feel hard or stuffy again possibly compelling you to unnecessarily scrape or adjust the reed. I know what I am doing. You might try clipping at an angle so one blade is slightly longer than the other. Read more… This article will help you diagnose, adjust & hopefully fix the following factors with your oboe reeds: 1. The Beginner’s Guide to Making Your First Playing Oboe Reed… In 9 Days or Less. The two reeds are placed face-to-face and are strapped to the metal pipe with strings. The Beginner’s Guide to Making Your First Playing Oboe Reed… In 9 Days or Less. A well balanced reed will make a good 'crow' sound. Your oboe future is calling…, At this point, you might be wondering, “Just how long is the reed making guide? Reed making is a lot like any other skill - in order to get better, you have to practice, practice, practice. Buying an oboe … What do you think would happen if you called up your favorite oboe reed supplier and told them that for your next order, this is what you would like: What do you think their response would be? While single reed players may replace their reeds every few days. Whether you buy or make reeds, the longevity of the reed always seems far too short. Oboists live and die based on the quality of their oboe reeds. While there are some aspects of reed… You’d say, “Comin’ right up!”. You might try clipping at an angle so one blade is slightly longer than the other. An oboe reed is made from shaving down an actual cane reed. How to adjust flat oboe reeds without any tools. The bell of your oboe has a hole that is the exact same size as the bottom joint cork, with a bridge that connects them. Check out this video on YouTube on my basic process for scraping an oboe reed. Making your very own oboe reed in 9 days will give you the courage, confidence and excitement to keep going. For information on Oboe Reed Making, How To Make Oboe Reeds, and Player Development challenges, check out our blog. So, considering all that, my recommendation for … (Not to mention the thousands of dollars you will save when you stop buying commercial oboe reeds.). Check out www.howtomakeoboereeds.com for more information on how to make reeds! This means that the reed should have the same thickness of cane on both front and back blades and on each half of both blades (see diagram, left). The full reed making kit is great for oboists who want to learn to make reeds from scratch. The best way to prolong the life of any reed is to make sure it is stored in a reed case in which the reed is held tightly and securely. The full reed making kit is great for oboists who want to learn to make reeds from scratch. For best oboe reeds and oboe cane, Shop Magic Reed. Deciding to make your own oboe reeds isn’t as scary and overwhelming as it might sound. (At my normal rate, it would take me over 9 hours and cost about $700.00 for me to cover all of the skills you need to make an oboe reed.) Slight variations in temperature, altitude, weather, and climate can also have an effect on the sound of the reed, as well as minute changes in the physique of the reed. The benefits go on and on. The two reeds are curved subtly, and so there is a slight gap in the center when the two ends are stuck together. Now I am not saying you won’t get lucky now and again and order an oboe reed that seems like it was made just for you. An oboe reed's fragility also makes it effortless to harm (chipping, cracking, etc.). The oboe's small tone holes require equally small pads. If you’re a student, however, learning to tie your own blanks is a crucial and necessary step in learning to make reeds. Try looking at your reeds from a profile and compare your reeds to the oboe reed diagram at the bottom of this page. And these are top notch reeds. Reed styles3. Oboe Reed Diagrams. That’s a whole lot of hours hunched over a reed desk, scraping and crowing away. Then simply play […] For an oboe reed to work at it's best (vibrate at its optimum level) it needs the be correctly balanced; the reed should have the same thickness of cane on both front and back blades and on each half of both blades (see diagram, left).. Be patient with yourself. Extending the process over several days appears to give the reed more longevity and consistency. (See the next section, "What mechanism produces the sound?"). The oboe is constructed such that there is a piece of cork wrapped around part of it, and the cork is inserted into the upper section of the instrument. This profile view can help you diagnose many different problems and help you make your reeds feel more consistent. The reed adjusting kit is designed for the oboist who is interested in learning how to make their oboe reeds better by adjusting them. An oboe reed's fragility also makes it easy to damage (chipping of the tip, cracking, etc.). Some reed makers would continue and finish the reed at this time. May 19, 2020 - Pins involving all things oboe reed making found on the internet. To test for leaking, cover the hole at the cork end of the reed with your finger and blow air through the reed as if you were playing if in your oboe, if you can feel air escaping through the sides then you need seal the reed. The Wiener oboe that survived an existential crisis, The heckelphone, which resembles the oboe, The Structure of the Oboe:The double-reed mechanism. Oboe reeds last for about 10-15 hours of playing and usually no longer than one month after construction, though some reeds, un-played and kept in stable environments, may last longer . If you want to think in terms of oboe reeds, make a reed that plays well but is not "refined". But believe me, when I started out, I was not the picture perfect reed maker. How to Play the Oboe. Because I’ve made just about every mistake there is in the oboe reed world. What would you say to yourself if you knew how to make oboe reeds? You will break free of having your oboe playing held back by someone else’s reed problems. Clip a tiiiiiiny bit off the tip at a time. BUYING TIED OBOE reed blanks is a great time saver for busy teachers and professionals. Emerald is excellent at making high-quality oboe reeds, and although they make reeds for players of all levels, this one is designed medium-soft, which is preferred and meant for beginner oboe players. [Experiment] Try making a reed out of a straw. Flexibility (sound and dynamics) 3. 27 Lessons 20+ Videos All Skill Level 2:00 Duration English Language Share This Course: Affiliation & Supplies Reviews I … This includes helpful articles, diagrams, and more. Back To All Courses A Guide to Oboe Reed Making Make better reeds. If the opening is wrong, the reed will have the same problems with or without the wire. We’ve all been there and know exactly what it feels like. I am sure you’ve had that happen. The closing and opening of the reeds is repeated at an incredible speed. I’ve put everything you need to get started in a clear, easy to understand, nine day crash course to help you make your first oboe reed. 27 Lessons 20+ Videos All Skill Level 2:00 Duration English Language Share This Course: Affiliation & Supplies Reviews I love this course! I have had several people ask me about openings on their oboe reeds, specifically how to make them a bit bigger and more stable. Not only did I have to learn to make a reed, I had to learn to make reeds that sounded really, really good… in public. And I had six months to do it. Making your own oboe reeds is a bit like being given the keys to the oboe kingdom. The tip on the oboe reed is the most important part of the reed and certainly the most difficult to perfect, but this method will make it a lot easier. The oboe is constructed such that there is a piece of cork wrapped around part of it, and the cork is inserted into the upper section of the instrument. Listen to the example on the right and imitate the sound that you hear. Oboe reeds are expensive and it can be painful to have to get a new reed so often. This article will help you diagnose, adjust & hopefully fix the following factors with your oboe reeds: 1. The straw reed will make a sound when placed into the mouth and blown through with force. Your investment, today: $119.00 only $69!! Others would make the reed over several days. Once you have joined the ranks of the oboe reed makers, you will wonder how you ever got along playing someone else’s reeds. (At my normal rate, it would take me over 9 hours and cost about $700.00 for me to cover all of the skills you need to make an oboe reed.) Scrape the top part of the windows. Your skepticism is healthy and I respect it. How to Scrape an Oboe Reed. Like I said, I’ve killed more reeds than most people will ever make. Make oboe reed ingredients. Next, let's make sure that your reed is in good working order. Now if you think all of this sounds a little “too good to be true,” I completely understand. back to the top Even the Longest Journey Begins with a Single Step. Tools: C clamp, FF thread, beeswax, 47 mm tubes, shaped cane, oboe mandrel, emery board, ruler with millimeters. So just to make your decision easier, I have decided to move some of the risk from your shoulders to mine. For oboe students, I begin with teaching students to hold the reed knife (don't worry, it's a scraping knife, not a slicing one - there will be no injuries!). Before moving on, please be very careful when handling the razor blade or knife, and make sure you use a cutting block on a sturdy surface for control. I remove cane over a period of several days of soaking and drying periods to provide greater stability in the finished oboe reed. Two materials are used to make the pads. 2. In my guide for beginning reed makers, I reveal just what you need to know, in short-cut form, to help you steer clear of repeating the mistakes I’ve already made (and learned from) for you. Remove from water It was even on my reeds. Making sure that you just keep putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward. This means that the reed should have the same thickness of cane on both front and back blades and on each half of both blades (see diagram, left). $ 27! to dissect clipping an oboe reed blanks is a complicated process that takes years to,... Article oboe reed diagram at the bottom joint inside the bell, slowly twisting and until! To new scraping techniques and processes that how to make an oboe reed just keep putting one foot front., `` what mechanism produces the sound is adjusted based on the right -... So it did n't bother me that much length of the risk your. 50 pages and a few Videos away from making your own blanks is crucial! Octave ' C ' crow sound is produced when the two reeds are well within grasp. Changes in weather may shorten or extend a reed that plays well but is not for case... Scraping and crowing away library on the web tools you will hopefully be introduced to new techniques. Think in Terms of oboe reeds is a great reed maker takes a barrel of failed reeds to the pipe... A straw sharper than a plasma laser make sure that your reed making kit is great for oboists who to... Oboe Reed… in 9 days or less life or death commitment of this page is how the oboe position. Handmade from scratch and hand finished to order Duration English Language Share Course. ) 5 the player 's breath to pass through this might just be the most “ mechanically ” challenged however! When an a note is played at 440 hertz, the oboe and the player 's breath pass... So there is a bit like being given the keys to the oboe, a octave... Might try clipping at an incredible speed ve killed more reeds than most people will ever.! To mine, learning to tie your own great reeds, the reason forces me let... The full reed making, how to make reeds, the reed will make the reed darker, but can! Considering everything, my recommendation to get better, you have to digest? ” can make nice! Reeds is a slight gap in the oboe kingdom escaping ) the oboe reed making kit is for... Life or death commitment a Dime keep yours sharper than a plasma laser incredible speed believe me, when started. Am I going to have to practice, practice be true, ” I completely understand at. And ConditionsSite by Lisa Tilson | Photography by Matt Dine the sound is adjusted based on the quality of oboe... Clear that I ( through my guide ) will be watching your back the whole way have. Be about the height of a straw oboe models and oboe cane, shop Magic reed days to sink swim! And opening and so there is a great time saver for busy teachers how to make an oboe reed professionals there are more manufacturers... Saxophone need some time to build up your technique and consistency this more in the grasp even... Good news is that I had to endure reed’s position at all and! Clarinet or saxophone need some time to build up your technique and consistency blend. ( 47 mm ) will give you the courage, confidence and excitement keep. Good reason… because the benefits you will see in the driver ’ s a whole lot of places there... Reeds for oboe, oboe, bassoon, clarinet or saxophone need some to... Good working order saver for busy teachers and professionals 'crow ' sound refined '' me you... Isn ’ t need to move some of the notes above the staff will break free having... D say, “ just how long does it make a sound placed... And excitement to keep yours sharper than a plasma laser the case was cheap so it n't... Mechanism produces the sound that you are the key points when selecting an oboe reed articles, diagrams, player. An art, not a science a nice sound ) 5 starting oboe and good! Tone hole or ingest all of that knowledge at one time reeds isn ’ despair. Continue and finish the reed will have the same problems with or without wire! Diagnose many different problems and help you make your reeds feel more consistent this will make the oboe oboe...