 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: ptarmiganfeather
Date: 2012-02-16 04:29
I tied my first reed tonite! Using the Jay Light reed book, some rigotti cane and a brass staple. It seals. It is a little long at 72 mm. I may even post a picture.
Anyway, I have a long way to go. Still the sense of accomplishment is there.
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2012-02-16 05:36
I tie reed blanks WAY longer than that.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Don't stop here: make enough, and one will be Perfect.
THen you can sell them to the rest of us.
GoodWinds
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Author: ptarmiganfeather
Date: 2012-02-16 16:24
My big plan is to learn to tie ans scrape so if one of my children plays oboe I can make them reeds.
I tied a second one and scraped it. It developed a crack as I was finishing the tip. I finished it anyway and played on it, then took it all apart.
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Author: plclemo
Date: 2012-02-16 16:25
Congratulations. Sounds like instead of feeling "impending doom" you are feeling "impending SUCCESS"!!! Wish I could get someone to teach me how. Instead I will continue to buy from Drew. My teacher REALLY LIKES his reeds! That is saying a lot (well at least to me).
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2012-02-16 16:48
one committed parent, you.
Taking a reed apart and looking at it under a light (back-lit) can show you a lot. You seem like a really savvy learner.
GoodWinds
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Author: ptarmiganfeather
Date: 2012-02-16 20:29
Thanks everyone! It helps to have stash of new store bought reeds as backup... And this board is such a great resource. Since all I have is the internet and a reed book my version of reedmaking may be quite different. But it works. The back lighting is a great idea.
I was a little flustered since the directions were right handed but figured it out after several re-wraps. Now to work on sharpening my knife.
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Author: jhoyla
Date: 2012-02-16 21:18
You're on to a winner there. Left-handed reeds just sound sweeter, honestly.
:)
J.
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2012-02-16 23:35
I sometimes wrap from the right, sometimes the left. I guess it depends on the day or my mood, because I'm right-handed. I don't use Mr Light's method. Whatever works best for you and gets you a good seal with no choking, that's what you use.
GoodWinds
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Author: Loree BF51
Date: 2012-02-17 00:35
Congratulations!
I, myself, just tied up my first reeds after several decades of inactivity, and at least, was able to approach it freshly. Let me make some suggestions, as I haven't seen the Light reed book (no pun intended). Don't be ruled by the Ruler, but rather by the closure of the two sides! I believe the rule was, that the sides should close, one turn before the top pf the tube and the "last/crossover" wind. Whatever overall length occurs as a result of that rule, then that determines the reading on the ruler! While I think I remember the Mayer-Rohner book (can't remember what Ledet says) saying put three turns on first, I'm now putting four turns on first, very slightly loose, so that if I need to "shift" the cane sideways, so that the two sides have equal closure, I can put my finger nail between the second and third turns, i.e., two turns on each side of fingernail in order to make contact with the smaller opening of the cane edges, in order to equalize the two openings. When you have to do this, sometimes the cane will then be crooked and so you you have to sight down the center line of the tube, to make sure the cane's side's are even with the tube sides, as you gently move both cane blades at once, back into proper alignment. Another point which may not be in the books is making sure that the horizontal "axis of symmetry" of the folded end of the cane, lines up, reasonably close to the horizontal "axis of symmetry" of the elliptically-shaped (usually) end of the tube. There is some leeway here, but you want to get them to line up closely. While I used to use AAA (thin thread), I'm using AA now, because I need the extra strength when tightening the four turns after almost reaching the end of the tube and then add a fifth loop and then doing the crossover under pretty, high tension. I then, keep the turns on the way down towards the tube, together, as close as possible, especially on the cane part, stopping short of the cork, and then I put in two knots instead of one. And when I put the knots in place, I slowly wiggle the mandrel back and forth horizontally, in order to make those knots, good and tight. I'm working on a video taping with simple graphics of the "tying a reed process", but in the meantime, if someone wants a picture of some of these steps, as an attachment to an e-mail, I'll try to do that over this Holiday weekend, as I can tell, I'm just going to hear about this submission! Best wishes, Loree BF51
R. Still former student
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Author: Loree BF51
Date: 2012-02-17 00:44
One other thought: Do you have an oboe "easel", so that you can "bevel" the Bark side ends of the piece of cane? Loree BF51.
R. Still former student
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2012-02-17 03:04
Loree, I use a similar technique - I wrap twice loosely with room for two more wraps above, then adjust, then wrap tightly two more times, make any final adjustments, then cross over. I haven't been doing it very long, but for the most part, the four wraps seems to stabilise it well for me to make tiny adjustments.
ptarmiganfeather, I remember the first reeds I wrapped, I felt so proud! Then the first reed I made that squeaked, that was also an achievement! No one at home (Aussie abroad) makes their own reeds with the exception of state symphony players, as the K.Ges we have access to are extremely good.
Now after only a short time I play exclusively on my own reeds (short scrape, not US), they suit me already much better than any handmade reed I have found.
I'm glad you are happy with your achievement - every small step is a step in the right direction, and it is much better to be pleased with each step along the way than discouraged knowing there's probably a way to go! I believe that mindset will get you further faster.
Rachel
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2012-02-17 05:04
for every one who can, they should learn basic reed-making: my own reeds satisfy me better than any I've bought (with only one exception, and that one is dying!) in the past 30 years.
I respect anyone who plays with bought reeds too, but I can't afford the (worthy) quality myself.
Of course, I do not crank them out, it takes me eaons to finish one, but in the end, I'd rather play my own reeds.
If it's any comfort, I still stick with the shape and size of cane I started with, those long years ago. Someone who teaches reed-making, I think it's Light, says to eliminate the variables. That seems to be true: when you find what works, stick with it.
'to thine own self be true' was written (unknowingly) to baby reed-makers.
GoodWinds
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Author: ptarmiganfeather
Date: 2012-02-17 07:03
Oh thanks again for the encouragement everyone! The advice is great.
To answer the question from loreebf51 - no I am not using an easel to bevel the ends. It would be neater, but I don't own an easel yet. All in good time. My oboe accoutrement stash is ever growing.
There is such a mind boggling array of reeds, reedmakers, staples, cane and other oboe goods it is pretty hard to make a decision sometimes. Recommendations from this board are really helpful.
Here I'm in my mid thirties learning to tie reeds. You can teach an "old dog" new tricks.
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Author: Loree BF51
Date: 2012-03-03 15:55
I was struck by your enthusiam and sincereity, so when you said you didn't have an easel, I decided to figure out a way to make one, using regular materials from a hardware store, for probably less that $5! I'm making up an instruction sheet and parts list that I'm going to post on the BB in a couple of days. Regards.
R. Still former student
Post Edited (2012-03-03 17:35)
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Author: Loree BF51
Date: 2012-03-06 21:57
Hello again,
My text is almost finished; just a few lines more and I was able to make a drawing using the two "lining" (_-), exclamation point (!), and quote mark (') keys. I will try to post it tonorrow under the title DUI, I mean DIY oboe easel. Thanks for your interest.
R. Still former student
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Author: huboboe
Date: 2012-03-09 04:00
Hey, guys, if you're only using the easel to bevel the ends, just put the end on your finger and scrape it. It doesn't need to be perfectly even on both ends, you're just trying to get the string to wrap off the end gracefully...
BF51, your description of wrapping is right on the money. I only use 3 turns of thread because that gives one end to pull on, one end to be pulled by the anchor and only one turn in the middle to distribute the difference, but 4 turns probably works as well.
The idea of the cane closing one turn before the end of the tube (and wrapping that last turn to the end BUT NOT BEYOND) is critical. Different shapes give different widths along the length of the cane, but only one width wraps correctly on your tube (which may be larger or smaller at the small end). The only way to match your shape to your staple is the empirical approach.
One turn beyond the closure snugs the seal. Two or more turns springs open the sides near the tip. And, of course, if it doesn't close, it leaks. And if you wrap beyond the end of the tube the reed just will not vibrate. At all.
Jay Light's book is pretty good, and written with a sense of humor missing from a lot of instruction manuals. I have used his Laundry Basket analogy for years with my students. (For those who haven't read it, Jay says if you put a laundry basket next to your reed bench, when it is full of your discarded reeds you MIGHT know what you are doing). Keep on plugging away - it's the only way.
And I've never seen a ptarmigan. Do they have them where you are?
Robert Hubbard
WestwindDoubleReed.com
1-888-579-6020
bob@westwinddoublereed.com
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Author: ptarmiganfeather
Date: 2012-03-09 05:51
Hello and thanks for the wonderful advice.
huboboe - We have ptarmigan. I have some assorted wild bird tail feathers that make good reed cleaners in a pinch. Ptarmigan aren't that tasty this time of year but are fun to see you're out in the mountains. They burrow under the snow and fly up right under your snow machine skis.
I haven't tied a reed since this post. I need to get more cane and a proper knife. All in good time.
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Author: huboboe
Date: 2012-03-09 16:37
The first secret of reed making is a sharp knife.
The second secret of reed making is a sharp knife.
- Stevens Hewitt
Robert Hubbard
WestwindDoubleReed.com
1-888-579-6020
bob@westwinddoublereed.com
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Author: ptarmiganfeather
Date: 2012-03-13 09:05
Tied two more reeds and scraped them. I even got one to play! I like this reed making business.
I got an idea and put about three reeds worth of thread on a tatting shuttle. If you are curious, tatting is lace making with knots. Shuttles are about 3 bucks (or were last time I bought them) Anyway, the thread stays put very nicely during the first few wraps before crossing over. With the thread tied on the shuttle it can be pulled very tight without thread burn on fingers. Even better, the thread ties so smoothly without unraveling from the spool. Just an idea to throw out there.
I am not an expert by all means, I just saw a small way to help the thread stay put. Have a great night.
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Author: Loree BF51
Date: 2012-03-15 00:35
Hello again,
I finished my paper on a DIY oboe easel and hope to post it over this coming weekend. You've received quite a good response on this thread. Sure is encouraging, isn't it? Regards.
R. Still former student
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