 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: mjbrekke
Date: 2012-01-01 16:02
After a 30-year hiatus, I'm gearing up to start playing oboe again. Though I made my own reeds back in the day, I need some short-scrape reeds to get started (reviving both playing and reed-making skills at once would overwhelm me). Looking over photographs of various European styles, my reeds tended to be closest to the German style, I think. Does anyone have sources they would recommend?
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2012-01-01 16:27
Let me play the devil's advocate here a bit, and ask why you would WANT to play short scrape reeds at this point (even if you played something like that years and years ago)?
If you are in the U.S. (which your ISP seems to say you are), long scrape reeds are the standard. Are there working/teaching oboists in the U.S. today who do not use long scrape reeds? I am not aware of any, but there may be.
There is one contributor to this board (WoodwindOz) who is from Australia, but studying for a few years in Illinois. She is a short scrape player, and perhaps she could help us all understand the situation with playing short scrape reeds in the U.S. Rachel?
But unless I just don't have my finger on the right pulse, I hope you would consider making the switch to conventional American reeds right now, before you get yourself boxed in by the non-availability of reeds that are uncommon in this part of the world.
Susan
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Author: oboemoboe
Date: 2012-01-01 21:10
Dimiter Jordanov at "Le Roseau Chantant" could be your guy! He sells amazing reeds and is very nice and helpful.
http://www.le-roseau.ca/products_reeds_1_en.php?secID=27
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Author: mjbrekke
Date: 2012-01-02 17:31
Thanks, all, for your responses.
Susan, I've thought about making the transition to the long-scrape reed, but there are several reasons why I'm going with short-scrape:
1. I have tried long-scrape reeds, both late in my playing days as they came into favor and occasionally during my 30-year break, and they have been impossible. In contrast, the one reed I still have from my playing days still works for me, though it doesn't have much life left. I was frequently complimented for my tone when I played, and I don't have the time to devote to relearning the instrument to that degree.
2. (I don't want this to incite any kind of forum war, but...) My concept of ideal tone developed back in the 1960's and 70's listening to the French School of soloists--Pierre Pierlot with Rampal and Andre--and, honestly, I don't hear that sound from American oboists right now. I'll only be playing for my own enjoyment and the occasional public performance, so I'll die happy if I can simply find that tone again.
3. With today's communication, we are a world economy and I don't view the boundaries of the U.S. as a limitation to finding reeds.
4. Assuming my foray back into playing is successful, I'll start making my own reeds again. I still have all my tools and even some old cane. I just need to get positive reinforcement from playing right now; reed-making can follow later.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-01-02 17:59
I've had a lot of success with medium strength U-scrape reeds I bought from Korea with Rigoutat no.-2 staple. And at a price I couldn't argue with!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: sylvangale
Date: 2012-01-03 01:32
German reeds abound on that auction site that can't be named
English reeds look a lot like German reeds, perhaps check out all the UK reed makers at http://reedreviews.net.
Keep in mind there is an exchange rate. Use http://www.xe.com/ucc/ to find out what an imported reed is really going to cost you.
(eg. 15.00 GBP = 23.2927 USD)
Best of luck.
♫ Stephen K.
Post Edited (2012-01-03 01:52)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-01-03 02:20
But at $77.69 for ten reeds (wih free P&P) you really can't go wrong there.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-01-03 04:29
The famous auction site (or that four letter word beginning with 'e'), then search for "Rigoutat no.-2"
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-01-03 08:21
Unlike the Showgirl oboe reed, for near on the same price you'll get a reed that actually works!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: HautboisJJ
Date: 2012-01-03 13:17
The last time i heard, the Korean man has gotten himself a website:
http://www.oboecane.net/index.php
And no, no longer the same price! Perhaps he still does that price on you know where. I ordered 6 or 7 from him 1 or 2 years ago and yes they worked well and if you still have your knife skills and a sharp knife, yes definitely you can get them to work somehow. The cane is very very hard, good stuff! I eventually learned that was essential when i bought some cane from him to try.
Regards,
Howard
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Author: JRC
Date: 2012-01-03 13:40
The Korean reeds are not available on ebay all the time. Right now they are available at the UK ebay site. You cannot miss it. Actually I have pretty good luck with a seller named 100scent in US ebay site also although not as high or consistent quality. The source of Korean reeds on UK ebay is oboecane.net. Mr. Hong runs the site. He sells student and professional quality reeds. He is a very good oboist trained in Germany. His teacher used supply reeds to Holliger, he may still do. Now Hong is making the reeds for his teacher so his teacher can continue his legacy. Hong teaches oboe reed making to many students. He has a lots of student practicing making reeds, but with the canes and tubes at high quality. He once in a while offers his students' practice reeds to UK ebay. I am guessing that he selects better ones as the student quality reeds at his website. He makes the professional reed by himself.
I use both American long scrape and European short scrape reeds. There are pros and cons. But a person makes the tone, reeds just helps. It is easier to make easy blowing dark sounding reeds with American style long scrape. It is easier to make brighter and sweeter sounding reeds with short scrape. But I know some people make even darker sound with short scrape than any long scrape reed. It is just a matter of where your better skill is. Not sure about the value of evangelical flavor American long scrape talks.
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2012-01-05 20:00
Hello, I am back home (5 days in Chicago ), thanks for the intro Susan! As I understand it, if you plan on studying at all (not sure of your situation), make the switch. If not, then go with what is comfortable. I don't know much about community and amateur players in the US, but as someone who has only played short scrape, the only reason I would ever consider switching is to go pro (which is not going to happen!). Even one of our doctoral students who is from Korea is staying with short scrape.
My best success and the reeds that most of my fellow oboists at home use are from K.Ge http://www.kge-doublereeds.com/. They are extremely consistent and tend to last a long time. I am now making my own short scrapes from K.Ge cane and staples, which are also going well. The reeds are a little expensive, but worth it, IMHO. They do ship to the US.
They have changed the selection process somewhat, and have more tailored options. Email them (they are great about getting back within a day or two) and let them know your situation (instrument, experience, etc), and they will recommend which ones to choose. They usually tend quite hard, I play a medium soft (and I would consider myself to have a reasonably strong embouchure), and I don't know of anyone who plays harder than medium.
Good luck! Glad you're getting back into it!
Rachel
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