 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: Bill_D
Date: 2010-03-12 23:42
considering the amount of time it takes a professional reed maker to make a reed?
I know, as a beginner, it takes me a very long time to make a reed.
How much time does it take a professional reed maker to make a reed?
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Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2010-03-13 11:24
Bill,
Please remember - the initial scrape of the reed which may take a relatively short period of time does not tell the whole story. Some players leave a tie reed alone for a few days before scraping - then even after an initial scrape - maybe the tip or so - they leave the reed to sit for a day or so. Then the scraping can occur over a day or two - since the reed settles in and your saliva and playing on it modifies it some more. Then the adjustments begin as the reed breaks in and you adjust it some more - to get the flexibility, tone, and characteristics you want. And then each piece of cane is different and may require a slightly different approach! And don't forger about the micro environment in which you make the reed as well as the humidity and temperature etc.....................when you play in the concert hall the reed may need further adjustments.
So for me to make - a reed that will last and do the job I want it to do - at least a few days. Yes, I can scrape an emergency reed in one sitting - but it rarely lasts very long - since most times too much wood has too be removed to get it to respond quickly -------and further playing will alter the reed more and with less wood - there is little chance of adjusting it more.
Mark
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Author: oboeidaho
Date: 2010-03-22 20:53
When I was in grad school, as an exercise we had to come in with a reed blank (wrapped but not scraped) and scrape it down in 10 minutes to play on for the rest of the lesson. I certainly don't always make reeds this fast, but I learned a lot from having to get something to play on RIGHT THEN. Because really, that is what it's all about when you have a concert in an hour!
In general, I don't think you save much making your own reeds. Since I've had my son I decided my time was worth more practicing than making reeds so I buy mine from a fabulous local reedmaker. I pay about $40/month but it is great to never worry about it. I suppose I'll go back to making my own someday (son is now in school!) but this is working fine for me now.
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2010-03-30 05:19
I would tend to agree about the saving time part. A custom-made-for-me and made-by-me reed takes hours, but I am not the pro that others are, and I do not have the confidence to consistently make reeds for other people. I perfectly understand why people order professional reeds, and I will buy some now and then just to try them, learn from them, and note differences between theirs and mine.
However, I have to say that if you are an accomplished player and know something about making reeds, chances are that even professional reeds you might buy need to be adjusted according to your habits/style etc.
I am not anywhere near a perfectionist but I do like my reeds to have ample time to 'settle', and I make mini-micro adjustments according to concert needs. Therefore, I usually have 3 really excellent reeds to every 5 or 6 'in process' at a go.
It is REALLY rare that a reedmaker will take a survey of your needs (as Cooper does) and do his/her best to meet your specifications. If you find a reedmaker whose work you really love, though, stick with them.
GoodWinds
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