Author: d-oboe
Date: 2007-04-25 19:21
I really think most people forget *where* the c-crow comes from. Other than arbitrary, there's no reason that an oboist pick "C" for the crow of the reed. Why not G, or D#? The reason for "C" is that most american-style reeds, when adjusted to play at pitch, with balance between octaves (no flatness and thus biting for high notes) WILL crow a C, by themselves.
So, if you go and make a reed that, for you:
-plays comfortably in tune
-responds
-is balanced between lower and upper registers (length of tip)
-is stable
then the reed will probably crow a 2-3 octave C.
I can't tell you how much easier my life became when I started making reeds this way. Make adjustments based on the playing characteristics of the reed first, and THEN use the crow if you are having trouble figuring out what needs to be done. I still see so many of my colleagues clip their reeds because they "crow flat", only to be playing sharp a few minutes later!! (which makes chamber music a real doozie sometimes)
Other than a few contemporary pieces, you are never going have to crow your reed in front of an audience..so why be bound to it? Go with instinct, and adjust the reed so it FEELS comfortable to you.
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