 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2010-08-18 10:39
What is the difference (tonally, etc) between short and long scrape reeds? Does it change playing style and technique? I know long scrape is used in the US a lot, is short scrape used at all there?
I ask this partly out of curiosity, and partly because I play on a K.Ge short scrape (wired) reed, which I am infinitely happy with and would not wish to mess around with this, but am looking to do some multi-woodwind study when I am in the US next year and I am wondering if I will be encouraged to change, or whether euro style reeds are 'accepted' as such.
One of the reasons I am loath to experiment is that these reeds are readily available, they are extremely consistent, I rarely need to adjust them and they play immediately with the smallest of break in periods. Reed utopia, one might say!!
Thanks,
Rachel
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Author: RobinDesHautbois
Date: 2010-08-20 19:30
I wish the answer could be straight-forward.
Bottom line: will you keep buying reeds or will you be obliged to learn how to make them?
If you keep buying, then taking on American-style reeds will be good for you and will help you get better able to compare. You should try different reed styles from different makers frequently to re-assess what is really best for your evolving playing style and needs.
=> NOTE: I am a firm believer in a variety sound-qualities (tone colours), especially if your repertoire is vast (classical, jazz, celtic, carribbean, tango, etc.). Consequently, multiple reed descriptions are a good thing.
If you must learn to make them (I'm assuming you don't already do so), then whatever your teacher does is the law!!!! I am thoroughly pro European scrape, but a teacher (in person) who does American can help you in person fare more than I ever will with the best diagrams, measurements, explanations, math equations etc.!
If you already make your own, the same applies PLUS learning new techniques is always a good
thing: even if you end-up returning to your old techniques.
AS FOR SOUND AND TONE:
In my experience (and I did do American scrape for years) all styles can get any sound you want. The difference is mostly in how the reed interacts with your body makeup. For me, the springiness of French reeds is good for my loud-mouth! For tuning, the length of the reed, size of the staple, the shaper and how they interact with the individual instrument (not the brand) are more powerful factors than scraping styles.
This is why I say that whether you agree or disagree with your teacher (and/or influential players around you), this person is the master of your reed-making!
Robin Tropper
M.A.Sc., B.Mus., B.Ed.
http://RobinDesHautbois.blogspot.ca/music
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2010-08-21 09:29
I plan to keep buying my reeds. To be fair, I am a doubler. Oboe is not my first instrument and my plan in the US is to study multi woodwind (I consider oboe my 'primary double' instrument; flute is my first). And my study will not be a Masters or not even another Bachelor, I am hoping to take on a diploma or grad certificate.
I did use American scrape for a time when I was starting, as I was in the US just after I got my first oboe and bought a selection of handmade reeds. What I found with the American scrape compared to Euro was:
I seemed to kill the American reeds very quickly.
It seemed as though I had more scope to adjust the Euro reeds.
The K.Ges I use are wired and I find this invaluable for making minute adjustments even without scraping (I know other reeds can be wired as well).
So my goal is not to become a concert or symphonic oboist, but rather the skills to perform as an amateur and teach all woodwind to a competent level.
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Author: RobinDesHautbois
Date: 2010-08-21 11:17
I wish you the best, one of my former colleagues was a multi (primaray sax) who did oboe, clarinet and flute, all well enough to play in a low-grade (but paying) symphony orchestra. (He's one of the only 2 sax players I ever met in person who plays in tune!) He had auditioned for Cirque du Soleil in Germany but was rejected because he couldn't improvise well enough in cabaret-style on the clarinet..... those guys must be hot something wild!
At first, I made his reeds, and I think he immediately learned to make his own. I'm glad to see store-bought reeds do the job for you. I was beginning to get the impression that this was not possible. Hopefully, as you audition, people will not look at your reeds but listen to your playing. If you do get a teacher who insists, well, keep buying your favourite reeds and keep in shape on both kinds. I don't believe one type of reed will harm your embouchure for the other: rather, the exercise will help develop you more.
I was a teacher for 2 years (too long for me!). Remember that the most difficult thing anywhere is teamwork, and your students are part of that team, albeit junior members! Remember also that its easiest to lead through inspiration: the more you play "in the real world", the more the children will take you seriously. The point is to keep the love for music and they enjoyment of playing alive and strong.
By 'adjusting reeds', I guess you mean scraping them to a better finish? If you are coaxed to make your own reeds, don't get scared of it. The first few reeds will be junk, but you'll get better at it fast: you already know what you like. Don't believe anyone who tells you making reeds is hard: yes, getting them perfectly right for every use is challenging and many of them can get wasted. But most reeds will turn out more than good enough for practicing and at least half of those ones will be concert-grade.... provided you have a well-experienced teacher. The cost compared to buying will become a joke over time and the benefit to your playing will become self-evident.
Robin Tropper
M.A.Sc., B.Mus., B.Ed.
http://RobinDesHautbois.blogspot.ca/music
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2010-08-21 13:22
I would love to be a part of Cirque du Soleil...the shows blow me away every time.
I am sure you are right in that working with two different reed styles at the same time (if necessary) would not harm my embouchure - after all I am playing flute, clarinet, sax and bassoon all while still maintaining oboe, so a slightly different reed on the same instrument would not harm me!
I have been a teacher here in Australia for about 9 years, but we tend to specialise. I am one of the few flute-clarinet-sax teachers in the government system, although of course I only get to teach high level students on flute as that is my major. I am hoping in the US, since their programs in high schools and small colleges operate around ensemble learning rather than individual, that I would be able to experience more high level teaching on all woodwinds. Variety is the spice of life, after all! One of the things I love most about teaching and music is the way it bridges relationships and generations. I play in a community band (oboe) with two of my best flute students. They get experience while watching how passionate I am about my own music. It validates my teaching as they see that it is not just a job for me - it's a lifestyle.
The K.Ge reeds that I buy (which are widely used here by students, amateurs and teachers) are not really 'store-bought' reeds; as I understand, they are 'hand-finished', in that KeXun Ge has developed a commercial profiling machine to do the bulk of the work, and hand finishes and tests the reeds after this process.
I am keen to have a go at making reeds should I find a good teacher (and would be even happier to make bassoon reeds, as I am yet to find a good one), but as an amateur doubler with a full time teaching job, I am much happier to pay someone to do the work for me at this point in time!
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