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Re: Lightening Up My Tongue

Author: mschmidt
Date: 2006-05-18 18:32

Susan, the difference in the lengths of the blades has to do with how the reed is clipped. If you use a razor blade, the top blade of the reed comes out shorter than the bottom. If you use a knife, the cutting blade doesn't grab at the cane until sufficient pressure has been exerted to flatten both blades of the reed, and the blades come out at a more equal length. When I was first learning to make reeds, I was instructed NOT to use a razor blade for that reason. Later, I discovered that people did often use razor blades to clip the reeds, and said that it was only appropriate to play the reeds with the short blade facing you (Dunkel & Severson give these instructions on playing their reeds).

The advantage of having both blades the same length--using a sharp knife instead of a razor to clip--is that you can flip the reed over to find the best side. No human will make both blades of the reed exactly the same, and often one side is subtly better than the other, and it's nice to be able to choose sides, as it were.

Now, the great mystery is, if the read is easier/harsher/darker/brighter/whatever when side A is facing you, is that because side A or side B is thinner/tippier/backier/heartier etc? I haven't completely figured that one out yet, but I think that at least the side of the tip that's away from you has more to do with the playing qualities of the reed than the side facing you. But that may depend on one's embouchre. So many variables! That is why oboe playing is an art, not a science.

Mike

Still an Amateur, but not really middle-aged anymore

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2006-05-12 02:39