 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-10-02 22:00
Had another oboe lesson today with Mr. Schneider. We talked more about reed making. I took him a few reeds that I made which were flat and resistant. I almost tossed them, thinking there is no way to fix that problem. Am I glad I didn't, cause I was completely wrong in my assumption.
On all our pages, and in all the books I've read, reed making is explained as a result of the shape of the scrape on the face of the reed. Today, Mr. Schneider showed how to make a good reed by looking at the aperture, or more importantly, how the aperture closes as it vibrates. My previous reeds, when pressed together, would close from the inside out, so that the aperture collapsed on itself when pressure was applied. Mr. Schneider scraped cane from the sides of the heart and tip, and the reed closed from the outside in, so that the aperture now held it's shape while getting smaller until it was completely closed. Magically my reeds became playable, even good. One was sharp, which is fine for me. I know my future will be filled with performing with sharp musicians, so I know that it can be achieved when the time comes.
Tonight or tomorrow I will try to reproduce the same results. Fingers crossed.
Drew S.
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2012-10-02 22:18
Ugh, don't get me started on playing with sharp musicians...being an overgrown college student, that's ALL I seem to do these days!
I am glad you are finding little triumphs in your reed making journey - they for me are what makes it worthwhile. I, too, have been having small successes of my own. While I am a short scrape player, I too have been focusing on the sides of the scrape and the tip, which has been made easier with my new knife. It has been magic - I am making consistent reeds and right now I have 10 reeds in my case that I could choose from and play well on any of them. This is certainly a first for me!
Keep sharing your journey with us, Drew. I have learned and developed more about my reedmaking from long scrape players than short, and these realisations might help you as much as the rest of us!
Rachel
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Author: mschmidt
Date: 2012-10-03 04:32
Of course, we want our fellow musicians to be sharp in one way, but not the other.
Mike
Still an Amateur, but not really middle-aged anymore
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