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Re: Same Reed On Different Oboes

Author: Craig Matovich
Date: 2007-03-25 01:36

I think you are onto the Holy Trinity aspect of reeds...

Oboe, player and reed (although I am still not sure about the relative proportions of each after 40 years of reed making...)

What I find is if I scrape a reed and adjust based on crow ( double octave c crow), pitch of crow ( absolutely up to standard, using A = 440 as reference)and a couple flexibility exercises where I try to see how far up and down the reed alone will play (trying for an octave)... I mean without ever playing on the oboe at first... I can get a decent sound on the first oboe try.
(I would probably not do that for an audition, but it is a great starting place...until then I consider the reed a reed blank.)

After that, factoring in the oboe itself becomes critical. Like my friend Susan, I have a couple of oboes but both are Coveys (used to play Loree)... one old an one new Covey and both can be made to play beautifully, but the same reed definitely does not sound or respond the same on both oboes.

When I play other friend's oboes first playing at MF - F tends to sound a little harsh. I can compenstate with embouchure quickly and it becomes decent, but I would not say ideal. That always seems to require finishing the reed on and for the performance oboe. I am talking about really refined adjustments where comfort more than sound is the final determination.

But comfort is a good thing and playing in comfort always seems to brings out the best in the music.

Good question...

(Hey, I see your ISP is in Denver.... I live in Roxborough Park SW of Denver...
Send an email and I'll give you my phone contact. Lets get together for some oboe and reed fun!)

-Craig

Post Edited (2007-03-25 01:38)

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