Valparaiso, Indiana

Archive for the ‘Oboe Reed Adjustments’ Category

Prior to making your own oboe reeds it is important to practice adjusting your reeds to become more comfortable handling the reed and being able to improve the vibration of your reeds with minimal adjustments.  Practicing these adjustments on old reeds that you are no longer using is a great idea.  You can purchase an oboe reed-making kit or purchase the tools one at a time (Forrest Music 1-800-322-OBOE).

# 1

To begin adjusting your oboe reed you need to start with the following tools: a flat plaque, an inexpensive reed knife (Vitry or similar), an inexpensive oboe mandrel, and a large rosewood block .  In addition purchase inexpensive pliers that fit your hand size from a local store in your area.

# 2

With these tools you can adjust your oboe reed on a daily basis to meet your expectations.  This give the oboist a feel of freedom and control of their oboe sound from day-to-day.  Cane oboe reeds are going to constantly change for a variety of reasons and they are aging on a daily basis from repeated soaking and drying.  The bottom line-at some point they are ready to be retired as they turn to a darker color from their original butternut yellow color, become more resistant to play, and the blades constantly are collapsing.  If you constantly bite down on both blades of your reed rather than keeping your embouchure more open your reed will have a shorter life as it will want to constantly close.

# 3

As the oboe reed goes through changes of aging, it is important for the oboist to adjust the reed to give it “new life” and keep the resistance and the quality of sound the same from day-to-day.  The goal for the oboist is to keep their sound consistent on a daily basis.  With minor reed adjustments it is much easier to reach this goal.  Always soak your reed for at least five minutes before you begin adjusting it.  Never adjust your reed when it is dry.

# 4

The first challenge is the reed becoming too resistant or too hard to blow the air through the reed.  When this occurs slide your plaque through the side of the blades by opening one side by gently pressing on the opposite side.  Push the plaque between the blades so that the blades are in the center of your plaque.  The plaque should rest between the blades comfortably so that it does not move.  If it does move gently push the plaque down between the blades.  The center of your plaque should now be under the tip of your reed.  Insert your oboe mandrel through the cork portion of your oboe staple to help hold the reed with one hand as you shave the reed using your reed knife with your other hand.

# 5

Using your reed knife you want to SHAVE the reed like you would have a balloon-MINIMAL PRESSURE DOWN ON THE BLADE as it scrapes the cane.  Find the tip of the reed and take off a small amount of cane by having your knife blade continue across the tip of the blade and on to your plaque.  This is done with a wrist motion with one hand as your other had holds the  mandrel with your reed inserted. Repeat this same process with the other blade.  The idea is to have the tips of both blades looking identical and vibrating equally.  This takes practice; thus, it is best to practice this a number of times on old reeds you are not using before you try doing this adjustment on a good reed that needs just a minor adjustment.

# 6

Test the reed by buzzing it.  You can instantly tell if the reed has a freer sound and is less resistant.  Play your favorite scales and the octave “D” exercise to test the low, middle, and upper registers.  If the reed is still too hard repeat the process by taking just a small amount of cane off the tip on both blades.  Re-test your reed until the resistance is comfortable and all registers are playing freely.  Check the tip opening.  If it is too open it will be more resistant even though you have taken cane off the tip of both blades.  By closing the blades to a crescent shape you will increase the vibration of the reed and reduce the amount of resistance.