How long should an oboe reed last?
about 10-15 hours
Whether you buy or make reeds, the longevity of the reed always seems far too short. Oboe reeds last for about 10-15 hours of playing and usually no longer than one month after construction, though some reeds, un-played and kept in stable environments, may last longer .
How do I know if my oboe reed is good?
A reed must respond in all registers easily, and must be easy enough that it can be played for some time without your student getting dizzy, or their embouchure getting too tired. A reed must be stable enough that the embouchure is not used too much to hold it in tune.
How many oboe reeds should I have?
I suggest students have AT LEAST 3 OBOE REEDS at a time in their case, So a 3 reed case should be the minimum. The larger cases will allow a student to hold onto reeds and see if they may regain some life later.
Do you need to soak oboe reeds?
Oboe reeds are soaked in water before playing so that they have the right level of moisture. They are soaked in lukewarm water for around 2 to 3 minutes.
Why do my oboe reeds keep cracking?
Since the reed is so thin it can easily chip or crack from even slight trauma. Rubbing the oboe reed on clothing, getting it tangled in hair, hitting it on a tooth, or storing it improperly in a case can all lead to damage.
How do you break in a reed fast?
5 Steps to Break-In Your Reeds:
- Take the reed out of its packaging.
- Dip in water and massage the cane to seal and close the pores.
- Do this for 3 days.
- On the 4th day, play for only a few minutes.
- Gradually increase the time playing the reed by a few minutes each day until a week has passed.
How do you break in a new oboe reed?
To break in a reed make sure that the reed is sufficiently soaked. Then simply play on the reed for a few practice sessions letting the reed dry completely in between sessions. The reed will collapse slightly over time, and become more malleable.
Why does my oboe reed sound fuzzy?
That having been said, when I experience the problem you’re describing, the “fuzziness” is usually due to a thick spot in the tip. Be carefull that you are taking your knife all the way off the end of the tip, and not leaving any “lumps” along the way. These thick spots can be hard to see, even with good back-lighting.
Should you soak oboe reed?
How do you fix a airy oboe reed?
If the reed is flat, first check that the reed is not too open, if it is not the reed may be too long. Cut a small amount from the tip and re-scrape the tip – repeat until at the correct pitch. Be careful as this can affect the intonation of the reed.