oboe reed too closed

First the thread that is tied around the cane to fasten it to the staple tugs on the cane counter clockwise. Thanks to everyone for the comments! However, adjusting your oboe reeds to resolve this is not too complex. In my experience, letting blanks dry overnight before clipping them usually leads to reeds with more manageable (less huge) openings. The oboe is officially one of the most difficult instruments to play. The instant the reeds close, a sound almost exactly like hands clapping is produced and transmitted to the instrument, where the sound waves reverberate back from the tone holes and the opposite end of the oboe, opening the reeds up again and allowing breath to reenter. As a result, my reeds are basically unplayable, being that they require a great amount of air and are always flat. Any cracks in the reed will render it flat and useless. After you have selected the cane for straightness and chopped it to length, lay the piece bark-side down on a flat surface. A lot of oboe reeds cross my desk every month. An oversoaked reed will likely be stiff, too open, and flat. Please read my articles on Oboe Reed Soaking, and Adjusting Flat oboe reeds for … I'm a beginner on oboe and I have my first concert on Dec. 6. If tip is too closed, reed will play sharp and it will be impossible to blow into with adequate breath support. When the cane seems soft, I also observe that the size of the opening changes dramatically after the dry reed has been soaked. If it’s still too open, gently squeeze the sides of the string with pliers. White or black growths in the reed mean it’s time to order replacements. 2. REED DEATH! 3. From the oboe reed critiques that I offer to all of the reed shipments from our reedmakers. Leaking (air escaping) By pushing the reed up against the top teeth . Singin’ Dog Oboe Reed Medium. It took me about five attempts to make one successful blank. Sometimes after I tie the reed, de-bark it and clip the tip, the opening seems normal-sized and the sides seem to close. I have been making reeds for about 2 years. I’d love to hear about them. Tying on too long will cause the reed to leak; too short and the sides crush together causing the tip to spread apart. a. Mold…enough said…. If a reed is too open it will be difficult to control and may fatigue the mouth too much to be playable, but if the opening is too small the reed will be sharp and inflexible. Place the reed in your mouth down to the string and blow. What should I do if the reed is too easy? They will not close no matter how hard I try to squeeze them. But too often, reeds are too thick, too long, too open, too closed, too sharp -- you name a problem, and it's a possibility for an oboe reed. Try tying longer onto the staple to the point where the cane just closes on each side at the last wrap before crossover. I tend to scrape the corners of the tip before setting the blank aside. Just a thought. Oboe reeds are expensive and it can be painful to have to get a new reed so often. Using rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide may keep them at bay temporarily but this is not a long term solution. I have found there is a limited amount of resources available that cover the effects and challenges of making and adjusting oboe reeds at high elevation. In order of priority, here is what I would check…. 1. For Oboe, look at the tip opening. be a contributing factor to your tip opening woes? Slight variations in temperature, altitude, weather, and climate can also have an effect on the sound of the reed, as well as minute changes in the physique of the reed. Sometimes they are so open that they will not even crow, or they just sound like a goose (only one pitch) when I attempt to crow them. 1. Singin’ Dog is a well-known maker of oboe reeds, and this particular reed is entirely handmade. Gradually increase the air pressure until the reed speaks by itself. Flatten chin and point it down . Maybe you need to adjust the diameter of cane you’re using, move up to 10.5 to 11 range if you’re at the 10-10.5 range now. I have been using the Gilbert gouge and the Lucarelli and Brannen-x shapes. My last one was always a little bit too closed. C. Corners of the mouth are turned up (in a smile) 1. – the integrity of the fold before shaping, i.e. Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total) Author Some commercial reeds do not respect this and sometimes leave the tip thick. Clip the tip of the reed (using a knife or razor blade), a little at a time till the crow is a “C” pitch. Two tools that would really help & speed things along for you: the Incra bent rule in mm & a digital caliper. I think at this point I would try anything to make the opening smaller. Just keep the caliper set at the staple length. Work mindfully and remember to isolate only one variable at a time. I KNOW how to break in a reed, except this one seems waaaayy too open. By pushing the reed up against the top teeth . Keeping your reeds in a reed case and not in the plastic tube or coffin it came it will help as well. That's just a fact of the instrument - a lot of pros will tune to the oboe because there are times when it simply won't go in … Too Closed= Return to water for another minute; 5-10 hours of playing on the oboe reed. In one session, shape the cane, tie it, and scrape it until you have clipped the tip open. Instead, the “shushed” young oboist will bite the (too easy) reed, which will make the pitch soar and close the opening of the reed, which greatly reduces their ability to articulate notes. 1. If it’s too big, gently close the blades between your fingers. This will  eventually make the reed too hard to play as the response and tone will be compromised and a new one should be used instead. If the reed is feeling hard and sharp then this indicates that there is too much cane on the reed, try scraping the gullies first - concentrating of the top edges, and then do a light general scrape. Gently squeeze the reed blades closed if they are too open. Shave off the ears with your reed knife, scrape both sides of the tip & clip open. If the opening is too closed, the reed may be too soft, produce a weak flabby tone or the pitch may be too high. A thin and sloped tip allow the reed to give a warm sound with easy response. Bethany shows you how to fix an oboe reed that's playing too flat in this quick tip video. 2. It helps to ensure a good seal at the tip. Hi Laura, I know that problems like this one can be extremely frustrating and mysterious. Too closed… It is usually not the players fault if a reed cracks; they just happen when they happen and can be impossible to predict. What the opening at the tip should look like in a quality reed. If the reed is feeling hard and sharp then this indicates that there is too much cane on the reed, try scraping the gullies first - concentrating of the top edges, and then do a light general scrape. As the tongue attacks the reed and/or it endures other microtraumas from handling or accidental knicks or bumps, the tip of the reed may take on a ragged or frayed appearance. Strive to use the embouchure and jaw less for biting and instead the lips more for rolling in, making sure to use consistent air support. How to Fix a Flat Oboe Reed Jones Double Reed … By the way, do you let your blanks dry closed, or do you clip them open before letting them rest? Home › Forums › Reeds › The Oboe Reed Room › Top of oboe reed will not close. These online oboe lessons are for Premium Reed Maker and Premium Reed … I’ve adjusted the gouge, changed shaper tips, and experimented with different staples, and yet I end up with big openings much more often than small ones. If the opening is too small the reed may not accept the air stream and the low notes will feel labored and unstable. It doesn’t make me special or anything, but it does give me perspective on what works, what doesn’t and some of the most common obstacles that can keep you from enjoying your oboe reeds.