How do you make bassoon reeds last longer?
Keep your reeds in a reed case Moisture will hang on the reed longer and break down the fibers of the cane, shortening its life. A dedicated reed case with ventilation holes is a must-have for every bassoon player, regardless of playing ability.
Why is my bassoon so flat?
This note is also a very important note to use when adjusting your reeds. If the note is flat on a good bassoon, it usually means that the reed is too weak to support the note.
Can you over soak a bassoon reed?
A reed can be over-soaked. 2-3 minutes for bassoon reeds or 1 minute for oboe reeds should suffice. Reeds should not be soaked in the mouth or under a water fountain. Reeds should NOT need to be soaked after playing and should be allowed to dry before putting them away.
Do you soak bassoon reeds?
Soak an entire brand-new reed for five minutes in warm water. Do this for the first five times after the initial purchase. After this, soak the entire reed for about two minutes before putting it on the bocal. We recommend using distilled water which does not contain chlorine and sediment.
What are bassoon reeds made out of?
It is known for its distinctive tone colour, wide range, variety of character, and agility. Bassoon reeds are made from a common species of grass called Arundo Donax, or giant cane. This strong, lightweight fibrous plant has been used in a variety of applications and can grow to more than 30 feet tall!
What wood is used to make bassoons?
hard maple
Bassoons produced today are made using hard maple mostly from Europe. Among the maple wood available, particularly hard wood is selected. That said, it is soft compared to the grenadilla wood used for making clarinets.
How long should a bassoon reed last?
Most bassoon reeds will last on average about 2-3 months. Bassoon players should always own multiple reeds so that they can rotate their reeds and reduce damage, thereby lengthening the life expectancy of their reeds. There are many things that affect how long a bassoon reed will last.
How long does it take to break in a bassoon reed?
Break reeds in over a period of two weeks, preferably with a whole week of rest after the first break in. Don’t play on new reed for more than 20 minutes for the first couple of playing sessions. Break the reed in by playing long tones, slow scales, arpeggios, but very little technical, fast music.
How do you soften a bassoon reed?
Squeezing the wires Squeezing the first and second wires is the quickest way to make adjustments to a bassoon reed. Take care not to over-squeeze or pinch either side of the wire unevenly. Any mis-shapen wires or wires with kinks will cause the reed to play less effectively.
How long does it take to make a bassoon reed?
Using the above data, it’s easy to figure out that it takes no less than nine hours for me to make a usable bassoon reed, assuming that one out of twelve is good enough to use professionally. For me, a reed lasts only one week, so the hours spent on reed-making add up quickly!
What woods are oboes made of?
The modern standard oboe is most commonly made from grenadilla, also known as African blackwood, though some manufacturers also make oboes out of other members of the genus Dalbergia, which includes cocobolo, rosewood, and violetwood (also known as kingwood). Ebony (genus Diospyros) has also been used.