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: reed size openings

Author: jhoyla
Date: 2013-10-08 11:18

Everything that has been mentioned above will affect the opening. Is your persistent problem reeds that are too open, or too closed? I find that wiring can help close a reed if it is too open (try the paper-clip trick first) but it is hard to wire a reed open.

Regarding scraping bark under the thread; the two or three wraps of thread closest to the end of the staple have the most effect on the opening. You'll have to remove a lot of bark (especially high up, along the edges of the cane) before this changes the opening significantly, I would think.

The shape of the oval at the tip will also affect the opening. you can try adjusting this on a well-soaked finished reed by poking round tools (e.g. a .5 mm crochet hook) up the staple, used in conjunction with flat-bladed snipe-nosed pliers on the thread (I think David Webber has a home-made "proctology kit" he uses for adjustments of this nature - Cooper may remember). Similarly, Evelyn Rothwell in her reedmaking book (ref. 56 (d)) describes a technique where you squeeze the staple "shut" a few millimeters back from staple opening, which "levers" the reed open a little more.

The width of your shape will also affect opening - if you have a very wide shape it will have a large opening initially, but should soften up quickly with playing - perhaps too quickly for you. A narrow shape will not have such a wide opening but may be very resilient to change.

One last comment. Your embouchure should be firm but gentle, without biting. If you bite your reeds they won't last long (and your tone will suffer). Aim to just seal around the reed without any downwards pressure. This will help your reeds last a long time.

Post Edited (2013-10-08 11:25)

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics