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Re: Windows in oboe reeds

Author: d-oboe
Date: 2006-12-03 01:22

Keep in mind, the overriding purpose of the "windows" is for the purpose they serve. They exist (mainly) because the scrape is longer, and thus are a continuation of (some of) the tip vibrations that happen before the heart. (The heart's general purpose is to set the pitch - its thickness and placement have the biggest effect on the pitch)
So in other words, anyone whose scrape is of the "long" variety will have some form of "windows." Here are some of my observations of "windows"

- reeds with narrower shapes generally have thinner windows
- reeds with wider shapes have more cane left in the windows
- reeds that are finished longer have more cane left in the windows
- reeds that are short have thinner windows
- reeds that are finished with thicker windows tend to last through more adjusting and playing than do thin-windowed reeds

My hints:
-I believe it is important to scrape the back only to balance the rest of the
reed.
-don't "seperate" the back from the heart. So while there is a distinct downcurve from the thick heart to the thinner windows, don't make a ridge. I find this unnecessarily stops vibration - cane can easily be cleared out of the tip, and/or back corners of the tip to acheive stability
-make sure the spine is in the middle of the reed
-make sure the back occupies the same space on both blades
-finish your reeds with the most length possible this will greatly improve intonation.

Symmetry is probably the most important thing. Otherwise don't bother gouging your own cane. The whole point of symmetrical blades is to match the (hopefully) symmetrical gouge!

Post Edited (2006-12-03 01:25)

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Windows in oboe reeds new

Craig Matovich

2006-12-02 21:01