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Re: soaking reeds?

Author: oboeagogo
Date: 2012-01-25 14:12

Soaking reeds is personal to each oboist. What I have to submit is what works for me and my reed set-up. I am a big believer in an oboe reed playing its best when it has been well-soaked. When I am playing a gig/rehearsal, before leaving home I will run tap water on the outside and through the bottom of the tube to the tip (taking care not to wet the cork) and then shake out the excess water placing the reeds back in the case until I reach my destination. I will then do a quick dip and shake the excess and the reeds are ready to go. If at home, I will dip the reeds and shake out any excess water and place them back in my reed case for about 20 minutes, set up my rehearsal space, and then do another quick dip and the reeds are ready to go.

A few things to consider;
1) It's best practice not to set the reed on its tip in a cup of water. The tip is the most delicate part of the reed effecting tone, response, etc. and we all have spent a good portion of our oboe lives taking great care to learn to make a tip without tearing a corner.
2) If a reed is too closed, only wet the outside of the reed. If the reed is too open, only run water through the bottom of the tube to the tip. The blades will move toward the water to help open or close the reed. It is best to use water as close to body temperature as possible.
3) Playing a reed that has not been sufficiently soaked will damage and weaken the fibers, shortening the life of the reed. The fibers must be moist to be pliable and vibrate best. Soaking the reed too much will cause the reed to become hard and unwieldy.
4) FRESH water is the BEST way to soak a reed. Soaking the reed in your mouth will also shorten the life of the reed because it is actually being digested by enzymes in your saliva. The same enzymes that are responsible in helping to digest the food you eat. If you are in a bind and have to soak without a ready supply of water, place the reed in your mouth with the thread between your lips allowing the reed to "hover" inside without touching your cheeks or tongue. Gently blow warm air for several minutes to humidify the reed without bathing it in saliva. Not best practice but works in a pinch without effecting the overall playability of the reed.

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