Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-06-28 10:28
A month or two ago we talked about cane shapes and the effects of response/tone when altered. Here's a link:
http://test.woodwind.org/oboe/BBoard/read.html?f=10&i=22963&t=22963
I mentioned that it might be wise and a good learning process to hand shape some reeds. I have been doing this practice lately, with varying results. I still only have a waste basket 1/4 the way full of reeds. I also hand shape clarinet and sax reeds, with very good results, taking my reed making knowledge from oboe and transferring.
The greatest benefit I see from hand shaping is freeing up response in the reed. I feel sometimes a reed can catch on itself, resulting in a reed with a dull sound that speaks poorly. For myself, a bit of sandpaper to the rails will free the cane from itself, allowing it to perform to it's best ability, which I guess is the end result of the whole reed making process anyhow.
I still have quite a lot to learn about reed making, so hand shaping is a good learning tool. Eventually I hope to have a good understanding of what I'm doing, at which point I would purchase a shaper tip with the dimensions most suitable to my body, and will worry less about hand shaping.
Drew S.
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