Table of Contents
How do you make an oboe reed responsive?
Reed Adjusting
- soak longer in hotter water to give it added strength.
- scrape more towards the center of the tip for more vibration and to open up the reed. Too much scraping in this area will make the tone too bright.
- when making from scratch, try smaller diameter cane if every reed is too closed.
How does weather affect oboe reeds?
Increased moisture in the air means increased moisture in your oboe reed. The reed will feel harder and will play with a flatter pitch center. Correcting these problems with tighter lips will fatigue your embouchure quickly.
How can I make my oboe reed last longer?
If you want your reeds to last as long as possible, soak them in water!
- Only soak the cane part of the reed in water, not the thread or cork.
- Try dipping your reeds in water and setting them on your music stand or in your case to hydrate.
Why do my oboe reeds keep cracking?
The vibrating blades of the reed create the sound. The vibrations travel through the air and are interpreted by the ear as sound. The sound is then amplified by the instrument body when it is placed in the oboe. Since the reed is so thin it can easily chip or crack from even slight trauma.
How do you make an oboe reed less resistant?
If your reed is too resistant or stuffy but you want to keep the tone, scrape using a specialist sharp oboe reed knife at the top of the gulley’s towards the edge of the reed & then in the gulley’s from the bottom of the scrape.
How do I protect my oboe reed?
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 (see “The Reed Case is Important” above). Oboe reeds are also very susceptible to climate changes (humidity/dryness), altitude, and temperature.
How long do oboe reeds last?
about 10-15 hours
Whether you buy or make reeds, the longevity of the reed always seems far too short. 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 .
How do you make an oboe reed less sharp?
If the reed is feeling hard and sharp then this indicates that there is too much cane on the reed, try scraping the gullies first – concentrating of the top edges, and then do a light general scrape. If the problem is still the same, try scraping a small amount from the back of the reed.
How do I make my oboe reed flat?
If the reed is flat, first check that the reed is not too open, if it is not the reed may be too long. Cut a small amount from the tip and re-scrape the tip – repeat until at the correct pitch. Be careful as this can affect the intonation of the reed.