Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-07-08 20:22
The reed was indeed very stiff at that point in time as it was on its way out and I struggled in that solo (I ended up biting a fair bit too), not with just the reed but the temperature and humidity.
My reeds are generally easy playing as I don't like to struggle, but they do toughen up as they age. I play medium length and MS to M strength U scrape reeds which are the norm in the UK (although I bought them off eBay from a supplier in Seoul and they're very consistent).
I usually scrape the tip as well as the sides (a bit) to make them easy playing - if they blow sharp then I take some off the base of the scrape.
In the second video I used a very buzzy reed which wasn't mine and I found it difficult to control in terms of tone and pitch flexibility as it was far too soft, but it got me through the concert.
Just the other month I had (and still have) an excellent reed and performed the solo 'Casta Diva' which went very well, just a shame no-one videoed it as I wanted to hear what that sounded like.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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