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: Help Slightly Flat

Author: jhoyla
Date: 2007-12-14 12:47

For long-scrape reeds (and yes, I know this is a dreadful generalization) you should aim for about 70-71mm overall length with a 47mm staple. 72.5 sounds too long to me.

Joseph Shalita says in his web-book that one should beware of playing on flat reeds, since the tendency is exactly that - to "lip them up" to pitch, a dreadful habit, easy to acquire and devilishly difficult to overcome.

You say you are "suddenly" flat - how long since you last checked your intonation? A season ago, maybe? :-)

If you like the looser feel that long reeds give you, you can try Hautbois' suggestion of filing down the staple (I did this once, before a concert) and then purchasing 46 mm staples; Or you can try a wider shape (say, a No 3) (and cane with a broader radius, 11mm or larger). These vibrate more than the common No.1 or -1 shapes. You still aim for 70-71mm in length, but you get the broader feel.

And the perennial rider - YMMV - your mileage may vary. you just have to try changing one parameter at a time until you find that magic formula....

J.

PS - let me know when you find it ..

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics