So, when tying the oboe reed with thread, do I really need to make it all the way up to the edge of where the staple ends and cane continues, or can I stop a millimeter or so before the staple ends?
I use 46 mm staples. European scrape. So can I tie to 45 mm or so? Or does it need to be at the 46 mm mark without going over?
Hi guys, so I’ve been playing the oboe for a couple of years now and recently I’ve been having this problem of having my high notes (A, B, Bb, even G and G#) to become flat after I play around a certain couple of measures. Whats strange to me is that if I take just a second or so of break and play where I messed up it sounds perfectly fine. It’s weirder to me how when I go from middle range notes to high notes it becomes a problem. I have good breath and when I start on a high note it plays fine but when i play around 20 or so measures suffocating becomes an issue? Idk if it’s my breathing or my throat but it’s really starting to impact me because I can’t even hold my breath for a page before my lips wants to start biting just to hold an A
Any tips please? Thank you
Any smart way where it’s only needed to move just one finger?
European scrape.
Really want to save this one; has a really nice tone. It plays too flat from middle c and Dow to the deeper tones. It was a bit heavy and I have managed to fiks that with the knife without ruining the sound. But where should I scrape to fix the flatness??
I recently purchased an RDG/Mack + shape and it doesn't fit in my shaper handle. Can anyone recommend a universal shaper handle?
Im looking for a handle that looks similar to this one but has a side hex screw instead of the knob. Can't remember the brand, though
I recently tried out several new shapes (to me) of oboe reeds and found one that is a wonderful fit! During the process I noticed that every reed using the BrannenX was SUPER open and the area at the base of the reed (above the thread) is huge! I am at altitude so I'm using 9.5-10mm cane on a Chiarugi 2 47mm staple tied at 74mm.
My thought is that the cane diameter is too small and perhaps 10-10.5 could help resolve this, but could having a wider cane result in even more bulge at the base of the reed (like wider shapes tend to have)? Would a different tie length be better (usually longer is better for wider shapes and I'm already tying at 74mm)? Or could a different sized staple help (the smaller the staple tip the more area the base of the reed has if I remember correctly)?
Anyone who uses the BrannenX shape, what size cane do you use, what is your tie length, and what staple do you use?
Images: All reeds are scraped to a Day 1 stage. The outer 2 are BrannenX, the one in the middle is Mack+. The tip openings are HUGE and the volume throughout is just...a lot...even at the base/bottom of reed near the thread.
I’m playing bacchanale on oboe and I’ve never seen this before what does it mean?
Dear oboists!
I can play bassoon fairly well, and I want to try to learn the oboe. Sadly, in Brazil, a good oboe (Lorée, Marigaux, Buffet-Crampon, Cabart, etc...) cost the same as brand-new car, and importing musical instruments to Brazil is extremely difficult because these companies do not have authorized dealers here, and our tax and customs legislation is a labyrinth that even specialized lawyers do not understand.
So I found this instrument Thomann TOB-100 Oboe on Thomann Germany, who delivers to Brazil, and they do all the customs and taxes paperwork. The price is 755 EUR They describe the instrument as follows:
Pictures are available on their website:
https://www.thomann.de/intl/thomann_tob_100_oboe.htm
So, is this a good instrument to start? Thanks in advance.
If you have played on both, what have you noticed, as differences between the two?
I have a few 2+ mixed in with mostly 2s, so I just don't get to experience the difference consistently enough to develop an opinion. So I'm curious what other people's experiences have been. I know their measurement differences and have read about the differences from Hodge's extensive blog about them, so I'm really hoping to gain insight into people's real world experiences.
Edit: 2 vs 2+ Staples (my bad! I forgot they also make shapers!)
I am an amateur bassoonist who also wants to play the oboe. I realize there are huge differences in reeds, embouchures, air flow etc. but if I'm doing this for my own enjoyment and no orchestral work, will embouchure muscle memory be of real concern, or if I alternate weeks should it be ok?
Interested if you know the answer, from experience.
Thanks.
I have always kept a notebook, or a million sticky notes within it, for my oboe reeds. What cane, shape, gouge, date, staple, random notes, etc. However, it is chaotic. I'm looking for a better way to document. How do you track your oboe reeds? Do you use a journal? What do you document?
I find it hard to keep up with notes, either leaving too much room for notes, or not enough and the notes are sporadic and inconsistent. The only part that seems to be consistent and organized is a sticky note at the end of each session about "what to do next time"/"what work needs to be done."
Also, sometimes it is a pain to pull out the reed notebook and go back through to find reed #X to remember the shape, was this an excellent reed, hard reed, okay-ish reed, one I made or someone else made. Using consistent different colored thread for some of these variables like the shape would help, but sometimes I get too excited about the colors and forget they have a purpose beyond just for fun. So, is there a way you label the reed itself with a few basic markings to help identify it beyond it's number?
Professional bassoonist here so I know next to nothing about oboe. My friends dad sent me his Selmer oboe (serial # F2644) which appears to be wooden. I’m trying to get a ballpark on value to see if it’s worth fixing up. I might take it as an opportunity to learn to double or donate it to a student in need.
Can I use a really sharp kitchen knife to scrape reeds? Or should I use a razor?
This was my mother's oboe when she was younger, purchased from a consignment shop around 1998-ish. The shopkeeper told her that it was 80 years old at the time she purchased it (making is about 110 yrs old now). However, through a bit of googling it might be from the 1950's or 1960's? I dont know much about this stuff so if someone can chime in with their expertise that would be great!
The stamp on the back of the bell says "Made in France" with the number 722 below it.
Also, I have played the flute/piccolo for about 7 years now and plan to play this on the side. Recommendations for what to focus on the most/tips? It just got back from the shop and I've been told it's ready to be played (just waiting to get reeds and cork grease).
Please let me know if there are any further questions! Thanks in advance <3
Just saw the post about scraping reeds with a kitchen knife and wanted to know if anyone sharpens their own kitchen knives since we spend so much time learning how to get a reed knife sharp. I’ve tried with varying levels of success but I imagine I can’t be the only one.
I’m hoping this doesn’t go against community guidelines, but if it does, please let me know and I will take this down! This is not an ad for services, just wanting to get some perspective, suggestions, experiences, and ideas.
I’ve seen a lot of people on here that are wanting to start their oboe reed journeys or haven’t been taught how to adjust pre-made reeds and this seems to be a common issue throughout the oboe community. I LOVE making oboe reeds and LOVE to teach! I would love to offer some ‘classes’ on reed basics, from learning the parts of the reed, to basic adjustment, to beginning reed making (in the area I live/in-person). Also, even offering to adjust their pre-made reeds myself. Ideally to middle school and high schoolers. I know private lesson teachers will often cover this, but sometimes they don’t or even some oboists don’t have private lesson teachers but could still greatly benefit from this information. If something like this was offered in your area, would it be something beneficial or redundant? What topics or issues would be most beneficial to learn? Would cost be a concern and to what extent? Ultimately, I just really wanna help the oboe community thrive, I want oboists to feel supported. I remember what it was like being a beginning oboe player to a single parent with low income, the cost was HARD, and reeds are such an integral part of making the oboe playing enjoyable, yet a huge hurdle. I want to give back and this is the way I feel like I can. Has anyone tried doing something like this? What has been your experience? Obviously cost will come into play, and I would love to offer these classes and services for a price that is not a burden but also not a loss for myself. That being said, I will need to think of the cost of supplies, tools, and time/knowledge and balance that with what parents may feel is reasonable. If anyone has any advice on any of this, suggestions, or experience, I would love to hear! Also, if you are already an experienced reed player, what did you feel like what missing in your reed making/adjusting journey or what did you find super helpful? If you are a beginning oboe reed maker/adjuster or have never tried and are interested, what would you want to learn, what would you be nervous or excited about, and what kind of financial hurdles would or do you face when it comes to reeds?
Ultimately, I'm really curious what the oboe community feels are gaps in the beginning reed making and adjusting areas, and what I can do to help fill them.
