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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000034.txt from 2006/11
From: philfrei@-----.com
Subj: [DR-L] reedmaking book
Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:24:43 -0500
My vote is for the book by David Weber. I've read that and several
others, but I think the Weber book is the most helpful.
I think would be some real interest in a book or guide that focuses on
adjusting reeds (for people who limit themselves to buying commercial
reeds). Unfortunately, the few I've come across have had flaws. One had
an extreme need for a proof-reader (I doubt the writer even had "High
School" proficiency), as well as some rather far-fetched claims.
Mark Weiger wrote a chapter on reed adjusting for "Teaching Woodwinds:
Oboe" published by Schirmer 1999. It's pretty helpful, with diagrams
about the various areas of a "Philadelphia style" reed, and his
suggestions for the most part are non-controversial and lie within the
accepted canon of practical theory, but the actual trouble-shooting or
adjusting guide seems a little thin. It consists of a pick list of 6
things one can do if the crow is too high, and 6 things one can do if
the reed crows too low. He advises assessing the status of various
aspects of the reed, but doesn't lay out clearly which of the 6
solutions apply to the various "statuses" one has assessed. It would
seem to me that for a beginning reed-maker, or someone who just wishes
to spend time adjusting, not making reeds from scratch, this aspect
should be laid out more explicitly. A beginner might have trouble
knowing which of the 6 "solutions" to try first.
In Mark's defense, given the complexity of reeds, it is not at all
clear that a more explicit trouble-shooting guide could be put
together. Maybe someone else will rise to the challenge?
I'd like to suggest some of the following topics in a good "reed
adjusting" guide:
- examples of some typical, popular commercial reeds with adjustments
being made on them,
- a discussion of how reeds tend to alter with weather, altitude, and
with use and age, and the sorts of adjustments one might make to deal
with these changes
(Example: it seems to me that the blend tends to absorb a bit more
moisture over time than other parts of the reed, resulting in a
reappearance, over time, of the infamous "dark band" at the blend's
edge. A beginner could be directed to evaluate the blend by looking at
it through a bright light to see if such a band has developed.)
- at least some sort of acknowledgement of different playing styles or
practices, and the reed adjustments one might make to fit those styles
(a bit difficult to ask for, since most players tend to just try to
master their own approach rather than learn about other people's
approaches)
- a differentiation between types of resistance: the "air resistance"
(due to the size of the opening) and the "vibration resistance" (due to
reed stiffness) are entirely different in how they affect performance,
and require very different sorts of adjustments.
- Phil Freihofner
Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 10:11:20 -0600
To: <doublereed@-----.org>
From: "eightsmiths" <eightsmiths@-----.net>
Subject: reedmaking book
Message-ID: <00ef01c701be$45512bb0$0200a8c0@YOURZE8CXVR8TT>
Can you all recommend a good reed making book for me? I know there are
several books out there, and I don't know which to choose. I've also
seen
the e-book at www.makingoboereeds.com . What do you think of it?
Also, is there a book or website specifically devoted to adjusting
reeds?
Over the past few years I have bought so many reeds that don't work for
me.
I'd like to learn how to adjust them so I can use them.
I have a Landwell medium knife and all the other reedmaking tools, but I
have never made a working reed.
I am an adult amateur oboe player (4 years now!) and I've only had
lessons
for a short time before getting pregnant with my last baby now 18 months
old. I play my oboe in my church orchestra and in a homeschool band
with my
children. I don't feel like I am progressing at the moment and I'd
really
like to find a teacher. However, funds are short (music lessons for the
children get priority over lessons for mom) and the nearest oboe
teacher is
an hour away.
Anyway, any suggestions for good reed making and reed adjusting books
will
be appreciated.
Ruth
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