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Re: Making softer reeds

Author: Oboehotty
Date: 2012-05-11 15:39

I will take a stab as I deal with the same types of issues.

Softer Reeds: Blend the Tip and Heart more (like "feathering" not digging)

Ever so slightly: Thin out the corners of the tip -- this will give a darker sound and response will be improved.

I also have success when making student reeds to "break down" the back. In other words, with the reed soaked, pinch in the back/shoulders area to break the fibers in the reed a bit. This will give the illusion that the reed is slightly less resistant.

If this all fails, scraping more off the entire length of the reed (providing you can without already being flat) can lessen the resistance of the reed.

Best advice: you can always take more can off, but you can never put it back on (at least not literally!) so do less than you think you need to do as you cna always do more.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Professor of Oboe - Youngstown State University
Howland Local Schools - MS Dir. Of Bands/HS Asst. Dir (Marching, Symphonic)

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Making softer reeds new

WoodwindOz

2012-04-30 16:27