 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2011-12-22 22:44
Hello all,
I just made my first short scrape reed, and it plays pretty well!! Stable, tuning with itself is good, articulation responsive. So excited!
Its only drawback is that it is quite bright, and overall a little on the sharp side. I clipped to 72mm, but have since clipped again, so probably closer to 71.5. The scrape is 11mm, and I have tried to emulate a K.Ge style scrape (for those who are familiar). I think my tip was originally too long, and clipping improved the original lack of resistance I had.
Any tips (no pun intended)? Anything I could alter slightly for future reeds?
I realise it would help if you could see a backlit photo of the reed, but all I get is white light and not much else!
Rachel
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-12-22 22:59
Scrape it at the base of the U and that should flatten it. It will also make the low notes speak easier but could make the upper register unstable, so go easy.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2011-12-22 23:26
Chris, you are a champion as always! Solved it in a couple of scrapes!
Unfortunately it was beginners luck, as the first reed is now a player, but the second...well, doesn't at all! I attacked the blend to the point where there isn't one at all...here's to reed #3!
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Author: HautboisJJ
Date: 2011-12-25 08:08
Rachel, 2 small but non the less useful tips for you:
1. Try both sides of the reed, if tied well, there is always a brighter side and a darker side. The darker side is always slightly lower in pitch and vice versa. This only works if in theory you tie in a way where it is almost impossible to slip the blades with your hands, even when you try quite hard! For the slipping method, you are at the mercy of...well, all variables!
2. For 440, a length of 71-72mm is very good for short scrape reeds but that really depends on the shape and the method of tying. Too many things can be said about that but in general, a good opening is very important. So when scraping, keep checking among other things, the opening of the reed! There is one opening which requires minimal embouchure involvement and yet allows you to blow maximum to produce a warm resonant and really big sound, without cracking! So keep checking while scraping so that you know you are not losing that...
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