 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: EricZ
Date: 2005-08-20 17:32
Hi at all Oboist here in this forum!
Can anyone explain why reeds are with or without a wire?
Some days ago I bought some Lesher reeds. I´m satiefied the most with the wired reed. But I don´t know the reason, why it´s easier for me to play with this reed.
Brgds, Eric
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Author: vboboe
Date: 2005-08-21 09:01
... the small section of reed just above the tube, before it flares out into the blades, plays better when well arched, to permit maximum air-flow into the tube. Wire pinches the sides of the cane together to hold this arched shape
... after tying on canes, some reed-makers use wire to dry (cure) them in shape and start the scraping process a day or two later
In some cases the wire is like packaging material, it just announces 'this is a brand new reed' and can be taken off (soak reed very well first before removing wire, less likely to crack it)
... however, more often wire gives vital extra support to poor quality cane which doesn't hold its shape well when wet
... sometimes too much scraping low down to the binding weakens the cane
... high quality cane, well designed by the scrape, doesn't need wire
Wire is a harsh method to shape reeds, but it's handy and economical
Wires pinch the sides of the reed, making indentations which crack fibres there, which may lead to leaking later on after the reed is well blown in
Other methods that do a similar thing ... reshaping and molding very wet reeds gently with fingers before putting them away to dry again after playing ... binding tightly with tape or goldbeaters skin to hold shape while drying ... remoulding the reed in a skilled embouchure ... a mandrel can be turned around inside the tube to open up the oval end wider, more circular
... if you leave the wire on, make sure the ends are pointing down to the binding, not up the reed towards your lips, or playing will be ... OUCH!
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Author: kroboe
Date: 2005-08-23 07:52
hi Eric,
The wire is supposed to stabilise the reed and countereffect its tendency to close during playing sessions. A closing reed can be opened by pulling the wire slightly towards the scrape. The negative side to this is the danger of leaks, lowering of pitch an general shortening of reed-life due to the fairly brutal treatment of pulling at the wire to open the reed. I have discarded this method for my own reeds. What I do now is, if a reed generally needs opening up I squeeze it very, very gently with a pair of thin pliers at the upper end of the binding, near the cork. This makes the reed pivot around its middle to open slightly at the scrape-end. If I find I have overdone the operation things can be brought back to start by inserting the mandrel. Now, if the reed closes on you say during a concert, there is no time for elaborate adjusments. I instead pull the reed out of the instrument and suck at it vigourosly. The fresh air will dry out the inside of the reed causing the wood to shrink, and the reed will momentarily regain its curvature. This method is effective, works quickly, and serves as first aid when you are counting down for a solo.
Well, this was perhaps a bit more than you asked for, but these are very usefull tricks, so be my guest.
kroboe
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Author: vboboe
Date: 2005-08-24 02:00
quik fix tip ... which end do you suck to dry the reed, cork end or blade end?
... can't quite visualize how reed pivots around middle, does the very gently applied plier technique move the binding & tied portion of reed around staple a bit, or does it reshape the tube?
... that's very tricky wire technique for adrenalin fix, maybe i oughta trade one cuppa coffee for it
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Author: kroboe
Date: 2005-08-24 11:34
I suck at the blade end. This keeps the reed moist on the outside, which adds to the opening up effect, besides keeps the reed from crowing and annoying your conductor during rehersal or concert.
The pliers must be tiny and pointed, and smooth with no teeth that might cut the winding-thread. Pliers are positioned on the wood just where it ends on the tube at the corck-end. And of course the pressure must be applied perpendicular to the reeds horizontal plane. The purpose of the squeeze is to deform the tube at this point just enough to make a significant difference and reduce the pressure between the blades at the scrape-end. This is a very delicate operation, we are talking tiny here, so be carefull. Don't overdo it, and look out for leaks! And don't practice on your best reeds. If by accident you overdo the squeeze, just insert the mandrel to bring things back to where they were.
kroboe
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Author: vboboe
Date: 2005-08-24 19:56
... yo, big thanx for extra clarifications, thought that moving reed around a bit was maybe a new trick, but it's the staple reshaping fix after all, OK, works for me too and yes it's a delicate touch
... when my reed's too wet and flattened i rotate with another one already in pre-moistened readiness, but that only works time-wise when director's talkative or rehearsing another section ... happily in this hot weather, no reed is too wet :-)
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Author: EricZ
Date: 2005-08-31 13:51
Thanks a lot to the very useful explanations to my question :-))
By the way: My reed w/wire is a medium hard reed and it is easily to play, just like playing a recorder but the sound is not so dynamically and full like those from other reeds without wire. After using and trying differt kinds of reeds, at present I use Lesher reeds which are very controversial discussed. Some love them others hate them. For me as a beginner those reeds are a good solution for learning to play without getting a stroke...
Anyway, how is the saying: You have to set the sail that makes the ship go running (?).
Best regards, Eric
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Author: sömeone
Date: 2005-08-31 15:14
Have you tried these? If you do not have any way to get some hand made near you, these are the best you can find, i have tried them, and love them...most store bought reeds are not consistent but these work very well. The reason why reeds without wire might not work for you is most probably due to the closing up of the tip or simply your embouchure basics...but i cant really judge without looking or hearing you play. Reeds with wires tend to be a bit better at maintaining the the opening. Most american style scrapings ommit the wire. Good luck! Anyways:
http://shop.kge-reeds.com/store/about.inetstore
http://www.jonesdoublereed.com/index.aspx
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Author: dancingoboe
Date: 2005-09-21 20:59
Some reeds come with wire on it just like the EH reeds because it'll "keep it open" but that's not always the case. I say leave the wire to the EH reeds!
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