Valparaiso, Indiana

Archive for the ‘Oboe Reed Adjustments’ Category

Be sure to save your old reeds to practice your reed adjustment techniques.  Because the oboe reed is most delicate and transparent, the techniques of shaving cane off the reed to make the reed less resistant and the techniques of clipping the tip of the reed to make the reed more resistant takes practice to build your confidence.  However, to stay consistent as an oboe player it is important to be able to make this small adjustment that result in begin changes in your sound the the reed’s resistance.

# 1

The oboe reed includes the tip, the heart, the back, the spine, and the rails.  Our Stradella reeds have “windows” in the back of the reed to create a chocolate-like oboe sound.  Each oboe reed is different, unique, and has a specific personality of sound.  The challenge for the oboist is to make each of their reeds as cloned as possible with a “10”  rating for their respect sound on a scale of “1 to 10.”

# 2

Adjusting each reed to give the oboist the constant sound they desire requires taking small amounts of cane off the reed in specific areas of the reed.  With our Stradella reeds, each reed is hand-made and tested to complete this process without the player having to adjust it; however, each oboist is different in how they place the reed in their mouth, the speed and direction of their air, the location of their “sweet spot” on the their reed, and the shape and openness of their embouchure.  As a result, minor adjustments will be necessary at times, especially as the reed ages.

# 3

Reed aging or changing cannot be calculated, but we know that with each reed aging is going to take place at some point.  With some reeds this can be a few weeks or a month and with other reeds it can be over many months depending on the specific cane, the player, and the amount of playing the reed per week.  On average an oboe reed will play consistently for 4-6 weeks before need major adjustments.  However, when the reed is in distress and needs adjustment the oboist will know there is an immediate problem that requires an immediate adjustment.  This is “business as usual” for the oboist of all ages.  This is why they refer to oboe reeds as being “quirky.” They are constantly changing.

# 4

The very back of of the back of the reed (just above the thread) is a spot that can increase the vibration of the oboe reed, give the reed more depth of sound, and stabilize the intonation in all registers.   On each side of the spine in the very back the oboist can take off a minimal amount of cane  on both blades.  No plaque is needed for this shaving process.  Always remove a minimal amount of cane, test the reed to see if there is improvement in the sound, and play both sides of the reed.  If you still want more improvement in the sound repeat the process a second time.

# 5

If the tip looks good, the reed is easy to play but he sound is too thin the oboist can take a small amount of cane off the heart of the reed which is the thicker area of cane just behind the tip of the reed.  When you hold the reed up to the light you can easily see the heart of the reed as it is much darker than the tip or the back of the reed.  Again, take only a small amount of cane off the heart on both blades and immediately test the reed to evaluate its improved sound.  You do not want to remove too much cane from the heart as a thicker heart enables the oboist to control the sound in all registers; however, if the heart is too thick the sound cannot move through the heart to the back of the reed.  Thus, the vibration of the sound is stopping at the tip of the reed.