Reeds - What Type of Reed Do I Use For The Oboe
Reeds - What Type of Reed Do I Use For The Oboe
In one sense playing the oboe can be thought of as a
partnership. The three components of that partnership are
the oboe, the player and the reed. The three components have
to be compatible or the end result is unlikely to be good.
Obviously, all players are different and there are various
types and makes of oboe. Similarly there are several
different ways to make a reed.
I think of the reed as being the valve which joins the
player to the oboe. As with any other kind of valve, if is
inferior or faulty, the oboe will not work properly, - and
it doesn't make a blind bit of difference how good or
expensive the oboe is. So, this whole issue of reeds for
oboe is a very crucial one for all players, beginners or
professionals.
There are several different ways to scrape a reed. The
'scrape' is simply the name we give to the part of the reed
where the bark has been removed. The three main types of
scrape are the V-scrape, the W-scrape and the U-scrape. The
letter names refer to the shape created by the removal of
the bark. Some players prefer one type and some another. If
you are unsure as to which one to use then simply try all
three and settle for the one which is most comfortable and
gives you the sound and facility which you are looking for.
In the UK, the 'U' or 'thumbnail' scrape is the one most
widely used. There tend to be national preferences in other
countries around the world.
Another issue is the strength of the reed. The strength is
basically defined by the thickness of the cane used. In my
experience most professional players use a 'medium-soft'
reed. Some players prefer a little more thickness and use a
'medium' reed. Soft reeds are often used by out-and-out
beginners as they tax the lip muscles very little. It is
possible to get reeds harder than 'medium' but I would not
recommend them. The ideal reed is one which has enough
thickness to give a good tone but without stressing the
embouchure too much.
Once you have ascertained which type and strength of reed
suits you best, assuming you are not making your own, where
would you purchase good quality reeds. One over-riding piece
of advice I would give here is to always, always buy reeds
which have been handmade. In these days of online shopping,
use your search engine to track down reeds made by
specialists. If you do go into a music shop to buy reeds for
oboe, always ask if the reeds are handmade. If the shop
assistant can't or won't answer, take that as a "No!" The
mass produced reeds are made on machines and come to you
totally untested. They will cost you just as much as
handmade reeds, often, in my experience, even more and 90%
of the time they are complete rubbish!
As you become a more advanced player you will reach a point
where you will be looking to make reeds for oboe yourself.
This is the ideal as you can make the reeds exactly the way
you like them. Your teacher will guide you in this. Very
young players rarely make their own reeds as it does involve
the use of sharp knives and other tools. It is not a
difficult skill to learn but it will take time to master it.
So do remember that reeds for oboe are crucial to your
success as an oboist. If your reed is old, shoddy or faulty,
your playing will be hard work and will sound poor. Always
try to stay ahead of the situation so that you always have
spare reeds available. There is nothing more frustrating
than having your favourite reed chewed by the dog the day
before a concert when you don't have a decent spare reed to
turn too.
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