The Oboe BBoard

The Oboe BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Re: Winter Reeds

Author: Craig Matovich
Date: 2007-02-11 02:57

The plumbers tape may offer two benefits, first to help keep the reed wet while playing and it may also help keep the tip slightly more open.

Put it on and wind a few turns with sufficient tension... it almost stretches the teflon tape... so the tension serves to 'squeeze' the cane in a manner that serves to prop the tip open a bit. Its only a slight effect but can be useful.

And possibly use pliers carefully to help open the tip slightly. This is done with the mandrel in the reed... then use the pliers... on the cane just below the end of the staple and apply pressure to the top and bottom of the bound cane ( not the sides...), and watch as the tip 'yawns' a little.

This technique is illustrated in the old Sprenkle book. I am talking about a very slight change, just enough to relive some blade to blade pressure.

Another technique to get more open tips is to tie slightly shorter than normal. meaning the cane is a bit further down the staple. Perhaps 1/2 a mm...so not to change too much otherwise, but it tends to cause a slightly larger tip opening and slightly less blade to blade pressure.

I do these thing in winter in CO and usually get desired improvements for the season.

Actually, I like to tie up about 50 blanks at the start of each season and finish them off as I need new reeds. ( I am not teaching these days, so not selling reeds to students and this amount of reeds keeps me in good shape
with plenty of reeds.)

I do not vary the gouge, or change shapers for the seasons, but I would say I fuss with winter reeds more, day to day, and think I go for a slightly thinner overall reed, and perhaps a shorter reed in winter months.

I do still go for the octave c'' crow and find it meaningful all year round.

I also adjust my oboe frequently, but really redo it for summer V. winter. I actually unscrew each screw considerably, leaving the whole instrument unsealed, then go about readjusting it. I learned this from McFarland one summer at the Mack camp (Circa 1981) and its been a habit ever since.

A good one I think. Well adjusted oboe... reed behaves better.

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics