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: IYO, what are the best handmade reeds available? >>>

Author: Dutchy
Date: 2006-10-17 15:42

Ashley, it's also worthwhile to point out that EVERBODY has trouble with low notes; those are just notes that the oboe doesn't particularly wanna play, so they take a little more finesse with the embouchure working with the reed to coax the note to come out. And that's just something that comes with practice.

In other words, there isn't a particular brand or style or maker of reed that's going to automatically fix that. It's an embouchure issue. I find that when I'm tired, the low notes just will NOT play, whereas when I'm not tired, it's no problem. And it's the identical reed from one practice session to the next--the only difference is whether I'm too tired to finesse the reed and coax those low notes out.

So don't make yourself crazy chasing some Holy Grail of a "perfect reed" that will fix your playing problems, because chances are good that, unless you're playing on rock-bottom El Cheapo $5 machine-made reeds, it's not the reed--it's your embouchure. And time, and embouchure development, will fix that.

I went through this myself all last year, until I finally figured out, "Oh. It's not the reed--it's my embouchure. Duh."

So now I think I'll go upstairs and build one of those matchstick skyscrapers with my collection of "reeds that didn't magically fix my problems." :D

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics