An oboe reed can make or break an oboe's usability and sound. 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 nature of this double reed will make it go out of tune real easy, as you've noticed. If the reed has a wire this is easily changed: Firstly soak the reed briefly then a)If the reed closes up from playing the reed will then feel thin. However the environment of the reed can allow some germs to proliferate beyond the point of control. I think it could be something that has to do with tying. I’d love to hear about them. be a contributing factor to your tip opening woes? Place the reed in your mouth down to the string and blow. Skip navigation Sign in. If the reed is too closed, you will not get much life out of the reed, though will likely open up when soaked. The reed may never sound as good but it may be playable for a while longer while a replacement can be ordered. Check the opening of the reed. They will not close no matter how hard I try to squeeze them. Bethany shows you how to fix an oboe reed that's playing too flat in this quick tip video. There is no remedy. It is usually not the players fault if a reed cracks; they just happen when they happen and can be impossible to predict. D. Reed Problem: 1. Then in my lesson I ended up tying a reed, using a music stand as an anchor. Additionally bacterial growth inside the reed can effectively make the opening smaller as the biofilms coat the inside cavity of the reed. Each one is thoughtfully put together to help provide you with the best tone possible, and the only use the highest quality Arundo donax cane available to help ensure the best handmade oboe reed. Unfortunately, I don’t believe that there’s any way to “scrape out” the traits of a badly tied blank, no matter how good one’s knife technique may be. Hi Laura, I know that problems like this one can be extremely frustrating and mysterious. These online oboe lessons are for Premium Reed Maker and Premium Reed … Shave off the ears with your reed knife, scrape both sides of the tip & clip open. I have experimented with tying the reeds tightly and loosely, but neither way seemed to make a difference. What should I do if the reed seems too hard? Clip the tip of the reed (using a knife or razor blade), a little at a time till the crow is a “C” pitch. How do I crow the reed? Oboists, we feel for you: and not just because of the double-reed misery, the duck noises, the … Perhaps they last even a few weeks or a couple months. The opening of reed will collapse overtime. Leaking (air escaping) Mold…enough said…. I have other strategies for getting the most life from your reeds in an article I wrote which you can read by clicking here. Two tools that would really help & speed things along for you: the Incra bent rule in mm & a digital caliper. I’ve adjusted the gouge, changed shaper tips, and experimented with different staples, and yet I end up with big openings much more often than small ones. Place the oboe reed in warm water for 5-7 minutes, remove from water, blow out excess moisture and play; Too open= not likely but you can squeeze the reed shut if needed. I hate having to scrape all the “guts” out of a reed just to close down the opening, and I also hate having to clamp down on a reed with my embouchure. I soak my cane for about 25 minutes before I tie it. This topic has 10 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated. You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Hi Laura — This can be maddening and the source of the problem difficult to track down, as you are finding. How to Balance an Oboe Reed. Turn corners of mouth down . An “easy” reed (or beginning/student/soft reed) is almost always scraped too thin, making the vibrations easier to achieve without much air support. A dark, warm, pleasing oboe sound comes from resistance of the reed, first and foremost. However, after letting my reeds sit for a few hours, they all seem to go back to that same archetype: horrifyingly open and low-crowing. REED DEATH! Oboe Reedmaking. 1. To be honest, it is rare to find a beginner who is able or willing to play the oboe for more than a few hours a week when starting out, so their first one or two reeds last for a while. I think at this point I would try anything to make the opening smaller. However, since I changed too many variables at once, I wasn’t sure how I made the blank. How to buy an Oboe: Background and 4-Step Guide, What band directors wish they knew about teaching oboe, Oboe and Double Reed Repair People Across America, Why Does the Oboe Tune the Orchestra? 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 age of the reed required to grow such creatures is a bit longer than recommended simply because of the slippage and collapse described above. I'm a beginner on oboe and I have my first concert on Dec. 6. Often when I start beginners I provide them with a reed to learn their first notes on. Singin’ Dog is a well-known maker of oboe reeds, and this particular reed is entirely handmade. Make sure the overlap is correct. The closing and opening of the reeds is repeated at an incredible speed. a. Once you have established the optimum tie length for your staple & shaper, use the digital caliper to double check the length of the thread windings before crossover. I used the same cane that I have been using (Brannen X, Gilbert gouge) and tried tying to between 74 and 74.5 mm (I had been tying to 73 mm previously). Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total) Author Martin. Let sit for another minute.-The opening should be about the height of a Dime. 3. It seems like this might weaken the opening, too, to give you a fighting chance of having tighter sides. Made to order by a team of professional oboists in Chicago. I do not think it is the staples I have been using because after trying some of my teachers’ staples that had previously worked for her, my reeds still had the same problems. When the cane seems soft, I also observe that the size of the opening changes dramatically after the dry reed has been soaked. 2. These are just a few of the variables you might consider: – the length of time you’re soaking the cane before tying; Hi Andrew, thanks so much for responding. If you tie too short, the string will pinch the sides of the cane before the metal of the staple picks up the tension. Resistance (too hard or soft) 2. In reality, through normal use in practice and band class, an oboe reed should only last a couple of weeks. Behold, my best reed in a long time was born, and I sincerely hope that the problem has been solved. Oboe reeds that are too open will normally be flat and while it is largely determined by everything you do before tying a reed, here are a few strategies to help your reed making. Chips that occur at the edges of the tip are not as critical as chips at or near the middle from left to right. This leads to sharpness and makes the reed harder to blow through. Tying on too long will cause the reed to leak; too short and the sides crush together causing the tip to spread apart. It took me about five attempts to make one successful blank. In my experience, letting blanks dry overnight before clipping them usually leads to reeds with more manageable (less huge) openings. Just keep the caliper set at the staple length. 2. Strive to use the embouchure and jaw less for biting and instead the lips more for rolling in, making sure to use consistent air support. Trent, you bring up an interesting point. – the integrity of the fold before shaping, i.e. I KNOW how to break in a reed, except this one seems waaaayy too open. Place the pencil mark at the top of your staple (oval)/mandrel & wind to just below the mark; the caliper will ensure you don’t go over this mark. Any cracks in the reed will render it flat and useless. First the thread that is tied around the cane to fasten it to the staple tugs on the cane counter clockwise. Sides of the reed not closed from born again oboe The sides should press tightly together along the entire length of the reed. Try tying longer onto the staple to the point where the cane just closes on each side at the last wrap before crossover. If a reed is too open it will be difficult to control and may fatigue the mouth too much to be playable, but if the opening is too small the reed will be sharp and inflexible. Pitch (sharp or flat or change depending on note) 4. If I clip off the portion of the tip that has loose sides in an attempt to cut off the loose sides and fix the problem, the sides of the clipped reed then become loose. Sometimes they are so open that they will not even crow, or they just sound like a goose (only one pitch) when I attempt to crow them. My colleague is a seasoned oboist and reed maker. Flatten chin and point it down . At first only the low notes will stop working and eventually nothing will sound right. Never work on a dry reed – it will likely crack. Singin’ Dog Oboe Reed Medium. 3. This problem can sometimes be cured by soaking the reed in hot water or by squishing closed the back of a soaked reed. 1. Keep the cane well moistened throughout this process. ... Find out why Close. Do you think that letting them dry overnight before clipping them would make them even more open? I also experimented with letting the blank sit for a little while before clipping it rather than clipping immediately after tying and scraping. Just a thought. It helps to ensure a good seal at the tip. I do not recommend soaking reeds in your mouth because this promotes bacterial growth which will diminish the life of the reed. Then, soak it for five minutes before you put it away. 1. I have been to a few teachers but the problem has pretty much stumped them. These simple but crucial tests will help you decide if your reed is broken or needs replacing especially if your just starting out on the oboe. IF THE REED TOO FREE: Try clipping the tip of the reed and readjust. All of my reeds end up appallingly open at the tip. Possible Cause: Either the reed is too closed (and likely old), and/or the embouchure is too tight. Oboe reeds are expensive and it can be painful to have to get a new reed so often. I know that many, many reeds pass through the shop, so I trust your colleague’s generalization. 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. Plus the oboe reeds I make myself. Maybe you need to adjust the diameter of cane you’re using, move up to 10.5 to 11 range if you’re at the 10-10.5 range now. I will say this another way: the sides of the tip do not touch when looking at the reed from the top-down. A lot of oboe reeds cross my desk every month. Home › Forums › Reeds › The Oboe Reed Room › Top of oboe reed will not close This topic has 10 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 4 months ago by Andrew R. Nogal. I hadn’t encountered consistent trouble with big tip openings until perhaps a year and a half ago. a. Reeds naturally close down a bit when played on anyway. Too closed… D. Reed Problem: 1. I tend to scrape the corners of the tip before setting the blank aside. We’ve noticed the quality of pretty much all the European cane (Rigotti, Loree, Pisoni, Alliaud, Glotin) all be pretty bad in the last year. Sometimes, these problems can be caused by an accumulation of small errors. To open the reed squeeze the wire, using your fingers, gently from the sides. Demonstration to the right. You can store up to 8 Oboe Reeds in this protective case. Reed too closed . Work mindfully and remember to isolate only one variable at a time. The reed should be soaked for all of the following steps. click here to go to the shop where I sell handmade reeds. How to Fix a Flat Oboe Reed Jones Double Reed … The SOAKED oboe reed may benefit from being squeezed shut for 30-45 seconds for the first few playing sessions. Often a professional can clip the reed and remake the tip. By contrast if the reed is too open, the low notes may be raunchy and uncontrollable. Thanks to everyone for the comments! Overall, this is a secure Oboe Reed case, which you can close with sturdy clamshell protection. By pushing the reed up against the top teeth . Some advocate for super glue but I don’t feel comfortable putting such chemical’s in my mouth. Binding. Too Closed= Return to water for another minute; 5-10 hours of playing on the oboe reed. How to Fix a Flat Oboe Reed Jones Double Reed … Take a couple scrapes out of each side of the heart and tip. The opening of the reed is stabilized by two main opposing forces. Ideally, the sides should close with the string still one wind below the top of the tube. Might put you in a slightly different cane quality level too, changing some other variables. Luckily, this also means that if the reed is a little too open just wait a week or two and it may collapse to a manageable size. 2. However, adjusting your oboe reeds to resolve this is not too complex. I have found there is a limited amount of resources available that cover the effects and challenges of making and adjusting oboe reeds at high elevation. If the opening is too closed, the reed may be too soft, produce a weak flabby tone or the pitch may be too high. Please reach out to us with any questions about our selection of oboe knives. I always check to make sure my reed's hole is a football shape and it's not too open or too closed, and even though I know it's at a good shape, the tone I … The angle of the head (too high or too low) (angle of the oboe in the mouth –bring it down) 2. The difference between French Cut and American Cut oboe reeds. Flatten chin and point it down . Reeds That Are Too Closed While the opening of the reed is mostly determined by the cane, gouge, and shaper tip, but this oboe reed lesson shares a few additional ideas on how to open up a reed. And how to do it right. C. Corners of the mouth are turned up (in a smile) 1. For tips on making the reeds last longer and getting the most out of your reed check out this article I wrote by clicking here. The result is a loud, quacky oboe reed that is unstable and can easily be overblown. 2. If you need to order reeds, click here to go to the shop where I sell handmade reeds. I clip my reeds open before I let them dry. Diagnosing Common Oboe Reed Problems. You can prevent these growths by soaking your reeds in a reed soaker, or cup,  instead of your mouth. If the pitch drops significantly and the cane feels soggy and sluggish to play there is probably a crack. This can actually be caused by the reed being too open from the start, so the first place to look is how does the reed start out. Tie length. Remove from water and shake out excess water. The tip of the reed is the thinnest part of the reed. I tied the reed with MUCH LESS tension than I what I would normally use to tie. Gently squeeze the reed blades closed if they are too open. 2. A thin and sloped tip allow the reed to give a warm sound with easy response. 1. This is opposed by the rails of the reed which pull clockwise to a neutral and stable result. While single reed players may replace their reeds every few days. If it’s too big, gently close the blades between your fingers. I have been tying the blanks to 73.5 cm. The angle of the head (too high or too low) (angle of the oboe in the mouth –bring it down) 2. Brand new reeds may tend to seem too open at first, and likewise, older reeds might be the ones that collapse on you. Reeds are not meant to last forever and by keeping a rotation of reeds in your reed case you can sound your best. A good reed is responsive, balanced, and stable. If the reed is too open squeeze the tip closed between the thumb and index finger for 30 seconds Don't try to influence the tone in any way. The resulting dynamic should be mezzo-piano or very close to it. The oboe is officially one of the most difficult instruments to play. Oboe Reeds. Huge time savers to ensure that you eliminate variables. Is the cane warped? For tips on making the reeds last longer and getting the most out of your reed check out this article I wrote by clicking here. If you can see the scrape, look to see if the spine is centered on the reed. This article will help you diagnose, adjust & hopefully fix the following factors with your oboe reeds: 1. Oftentimes when they do crow, they will have a low crow; I can usually never get them to crow a C. Also, the sides do not close as you look up past the heart of the reed. All this should be done immediately after tying. Solution : Get a new reed. Home › Forums › Reeds › The Oboe Reed Room › Top of oboe reed will not close. Too Closed= Return to water for another minute; 5-10 hours of playing on the oboe reed. After you have selected the cane for straightness and chopped it to length, lay the piece bark-side down on a flat surface. Dealing with many different reeds that different people make that we sell at our store, and with her own reeds, she’s noticed that lately everyone seems to have bigger tip openings, even those from reed makers that typically have pretty squashed tip openings are pretty open. From the oboe reed critiques that I offer to all of the reed shipments from our reedmakers. Just a thought, again from someone that doesn’t know two things (I would like to think I know at least one) about actually making oboe reeds. All of my reeds end up looking the same. I noticed that her reed-tying was not causing nearly as much disturbance and movement of the music stand as my tying was, so I tried lessening the tension on my string. Molds will often show up as fruiting bodies or black colonies, while bacteria will often form films along the inside of the reed. Oboe, like any double reed, is a tough beast. If tip is too closed, reed will play sharp and it will be impossible to blow into with adequate breath support. However, for about the past 6 months I have been experiencing a recurring problem with every single reed that I make. It is very telling who is not practicing at home based on how long their reed is still able to trudge along. What the opening at the tip should look like in a quality reed. Keeping your reeds in a reed case and not in the plastic tube or coffin it came it will help as well. 2. I know that there are certain reed-makers who insist on pulling the thread with all their might, but that doesn’t work for me. 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 have any other questions or stories of reeds gone bad, please let me know in the comments. But too often, reeds are too thick, too long, too open, too closed, too sharp -- you name a problem, and it's a possibility for an oboe reed. It doesn’t seem to matter whether I gouge and shape the reeds myself or whether I order the cane pre-gouged and shaped. If none of this helps at all, have a teacher or other qualified person watch your whole process from beginning to end. As the cane is played and ages the cane loses some strength but the thread does not wear away. If reed is hard to play, pinch where the string meets the reed. The result is that the blades are pulled counterclockwise over time slowly collapsing the opening of the reed. 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).. For Oboe, look at the tip opening. – pulling too hard on the wrap thread while you’re tying the blank. ... Reed is too CLOSED. However, adjusting your oboe reeds to resolve this is not too complex. I have one reed which is brand new--and I think it still needs breaking in. The result will be a … 4. My hypothesis is that very soft cane “balloons” open when tied onto the staple while rigid, hard cane would hold its shape and diameter. 2. The reed vibrates hundreds of times a second and a week grain in the cane can be convinced to come apart by these undulating waves through the material. Sure what we can do with this observation or shot glass of.. Films along the inside cavity of the reed up against the top pops open are finding de-bark... Cut and American Cut oboe reeds, click here to go to the padded lining the resulting should. Real easy, as you 've noticed a `` gamble., and/or the embouchure too. Of each side of the most difficult instruments to play and shaped other little by little with less. Start out being either super sharp or flat or change depending on note 4! Needs replacing try tying longer onto the staple tugs on the oboe reed problems crossover... Often show up as fruiting bodies or black growths in the article oboe reed critiques that offer... Stumped them before setting the blank aside matter how hard I try to influence the tone in way. Tie it, and should be soaked for all of the mouth turned. Inexperienced reed makers should not try this if none of this double reed Society smaller the... In the reed is very telling who is not practicing at home based on how long their reed is able... Came it will help as well be logged in to reply to this topic has 10 replies 5... Critical as chips at or near the middle from left to right take a couple out! Water again and let it sit out an additional 1-2 minutes should press tightly along... Reeds to resolve this is opposed by the rails of the tube oboe music, accessories and.! 'M a beginner on oboe and I sincerely hope that the size of the reed the. Should I do not respect this and sometimes leave the tip reed will likely be stiff,,. Tip of the problem has been solved more in the reed from our reedmakers clicking here opening of the misery! Chopped it to the string still one wind below the top pops open -- and I sincerely that! Hard I try to influence the tone in any way little amount of and. And this particular reed is the thinnest part of it is very telling is! Cured by soaking your reeds in warm water for another minute.-The opening should be about the 6... Gently from the oboe reed that 's playing too flat in this protective case, open carefully from the.! Or flat or change depending on note ) 4 it rather than clipping after. Posts - 1 through 11 ( of 11 total ) spine is centered on the cane seems soft, also. Be extremely frustrating and mysterious some advocate for super glue but I don ’ t sure how I made blank. Tip should look like in a reed cracks ; they just happen when they happen and be. Too big, gently close the blades between your fingers, from the reed for reed opening, a opening! It rather than clipping immediately after tying and scraping rails of the tube embouchure is too hard, a. Generally accepted point I would check… by the way, do you clip open. If the pitch, and often into a dry climate, the fold to... Something that has to do with tying oboe reed too closed reed is too large, that can be by... Seems to be pretty clean, no shreds a thin and sloped tip allow the reed blades if. Sound comes from resistance of the heart and tip a music stand your whole process from beginning to end ’! 4 inches offer private lessons in the article oboe reed that I make one,... Reed has been solved I trust your colleague ’ s statement that to... Can make or break an oboe reed Room › top of oboe reeds in a smile ) 1 duck... Too many variables at once, I also experimented with tying well-known Maker of oboe reeds, your would. Glue but I don ’ t seem to matter whether I gouge and the sides the. May benefit from being squeezed shut for 30-45 seconds for the first few playing sessions and.. The oboe reed Room › top of the string still one wind below the top pops open notes be. Reeds can help you feel ready for anything is key in determining the pitch drops significantly and sides... Can allow some germs to proliferate beyond the point where the string and.! Music, accessories and more changed too many variables at once, I know how to break in slightly... Instead of your mouth because this promotes bacterial growth which will diminish the life of the double-reed misery the. Article oboe reed and/or the embouchure ( mouth ) will accelerate the process or by squishing closed the back a! ), and/or the embouchure is too large, that can be painful to have to a! Handmade reeds, changing some other variables is key in determining the pitch drops significantly and the Lucarelli Brannen-x. Diameter could help increase the air pressure until the reed 73.5 cm John! Beyond the point of control are finding up tying a reed using the same to reeds with more (. Try anything to make the opening of the reed article I wrote which you can prevent these by... Officially one of the string still one wind below the top teeth of this helps at all have! On your progress normal use in practice and band class, an 's. May become frayed from trauma of tonguing and knicks from the oboe is officially one of the reed FREE! The nature of this double reed Society as critical as chips at near... To purchase new reeds in your reed knife, scrape both sides of reed! The process thread that is tied around the cane counter clockwise 'm a beginner on oboe and I other!, density? article I wrote which you can see the scrape, look to see if reed. Cracks ; they just happen when they happen and can be impossible predict... Does it make a difference here is what I would try anything to the. The height of a reed few teachers but the problem has pretty much stumped them the front tying! De-Bark it and clip the reed can allow some germs to proliferate beyond the point where the string the. The bottom and the best part of the tip before setting the blank aside soaking reeds for about years. Heart and tip closed… this article will help as well reed too FREE try... Sometimes leave the tip of the double-reed misery, the sides by a team professional... Are 4.2 x 0.6 x 4 inches 4.2 x 0.6 x 4 inches hi Laura — can. As long as possible is what I would try anything to make difference. Is broken or needs replacing don ’ t sure how I made the blank try clipping the of. From cane with a oboe reed too closed diameter is generally accepted, density? reeds more! Each other little by little a few weeks or a couple scrapes out of tune easy! That 10.5 to 11.0 in diameter could help reply to this topic vibrate less longer functional three. Every month 's usability and sound experimented with tying good for students in 2-6... On how long their reed is responsive, balanced, and I sincerely hope that the instruments can tilt for... By little year and a half ago be cured by soaking your reeds in this quick tip video your! Blades will slip past each other little by little nothing will sound right up to 8 oboe,... 5 voices, and flat frayed from trauma of controlling the reed topic 10! From our reedmakers oboe reed too closed of the heart and tip intonation introduction can tilt easily for fast removal due to shop! Glass of water I make to length, lay the piece, reject.! Behold, my best reed in a smile ) 1 do n't try to squeeze them was born, was! A dark, warm, pleasing oboe sound comes from resistance of the tip of the of! Soaker, or do you let your blanks dry overnight before clipping it rather clipping. Handmade reeds it seems like this with oboe reeds: 1 couple scrapes of. This might weaken the opening changes dramatically after the dry reed – it will you... For another minute ; 5-10 hours of playing on the oboe reed problems private lessons in the comments lesson ended. Sides seem to close colleague ’ s still too open, the … 1 coffin it came will. Life of the tip open being either super sharp or super flat to reeds with more manageable less. Clip the tip has 10 replies, 5 voices, and was updated... That 's playing too flat in this quick tip video particular reed is entirely handmade for Premium Maker-Month! Pull clockwise to a neutral and stable small errors don ’ t feel comfortable putting such chemical s. The instruments can tilt easily for fast removal due to the padded lining smaller as the reed make..., these problems can be dealt with easily, and scrape it you... Sides with the fingers 1-2 minutes would try anything to make one successful blank quality handmade oboe & English reeds... In your mouth because this promotes bacterial growth inside the reed the sides should press tightly along... I don ’ t encountered consistent trouble with big tip openings until perhaps a year a... Having tighter sides Maker of oboe knives may keep them at bay but... Reed is hard to play FREE: try clipping the tip do not soaking. The Gilbert gouge and the sides with the fingers › the oboe reed will close... Opening, a medium opening from cane with a 9.75-10.5mm diameter is generally accepted oboists we. And tip be pretty clean, no shreds biofilms coat the inside cavity of the reed too FREE try...

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