Medium Reed
Medium Reed
![]() |
![]() Mens British Vintage Tailored AUSTIN REED Brown Blazer Pinstriped Jacket MEDIUM US $63.20
|
![]() FULL HIGHLAND BAGPIPE SOUTAR WOODEN PIPE REED BNIB med US $15.80
|
Reeds for Oboe - What Type of Reed Do I Use
Copyright (c) 2010 Robert Hinchliffe
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.
About the Author
Robert Hinchliffe is a professional oboist, composer, teacher, conductor and music director. This article is based upon over 35 years of both playing and teaching the oboe. If you have found this article helpful and would like to know more, please
click here
|
|
Jones Oboe Reed Medium $12.49 Jones Oboe Reed Medium |
|
|
Jones Bassoon Reed Medium $12.99 Jones Bassoon Reed Medium |
|
|
Stradella Oboe Reed Medium $9.99 Stradella Oboe Reed Medium |
|
|
Singin' Dog Oboe Reed Medium $16 Singin' Dog Oboe Reed Medium |
|
|
Jones Oboe Reed Medium Hard $12.49 Jones Oboe Reed Medium Hard |
|
|
Stradella Oboe Reed Medium Soft $9.99 Stradella Oboe Reed Medium Soft |
|
|
Stradella Oboe Reed Medium Hard $9.99 Stradella Oboe Reed Medium Hard |
|
|
Jones Bassoon Reed Medium Soft $12.99 Jones Bassoon Reed Medium Soft |
|
|
Gower Oboe Premium Reed Medium $19.99 Gower Oboe Premium Reed Medium |
|
|
Jones Bassoon Reed Medium Hard $12.99 Jones Bassoon Reed Medium Hard |
|
|
Fox Contra Bassoon Reed Medium $13.99 Fox Contra Bassoon Reed Medium |
|
|
Stradella English Horn Reed Medium $19.99 Stradella English Horn Reed Medium |
|
|
Chartier Traditional Oboe Reed Medium $7.49 Chartier Traditional Oboe Reed Medium |
|
|
Marlin Lesher Bassoon Reed Medium $11.49 Marlin Lesher Bassoon Reed Medium |
|
|
Singin' Dog Bassoon Reed Medium $13 Singin' Dog Bassoon Reed Medium |
|
|
Woodwind & Brasswind Bassoon Reed Medium $8.49 Woodwind & Brasswind Bassoon Reed Medium |
|
|
Bari Soprano Saxophone Reed Medium $8.99 Bari Soprano Saxophone Reed Medium |
|
|
Fox Renard Bassoon Reed Medium $8.79 This Fox reed is an excellent choice for double reed players. |
|
|
Woodwind & Brasswind Plastic Clarinet Reed Medium $7.99 Woodwind & Brasswind Plastic Clarinet Reed Medium |
|
|
Bari Star Bass Clarinet Reed Medium Hard $8.99 Bari Star Bass Clarinet Reed Medium Hard |
|
|
Singin' Dog Oboe Reed Medium Soft $16 Singin' Dog Oboe Reed Medium Soft |
|
|
Bari Star Bb Clarinet Reed Medium Hard $8.99 Bari Star Bb Clarinet Reed Medium Hard |
|
|
Bari Soprano Saxophone Reed Medium Soft $8.99 Bari Soprano Saxophone Reed Medium Soft |
|
|
Woodwind Artist Series Oboe Reed Medium $9.99 Woodwind Artist Series Oboe Reed Medium |
|
|
Woodwind Artist Series Oboe Reed Medium Soft $9.99 Woodwind Artist Series Oboe Reed Medium Soft |
|
|
Woodwind Artist Series Oboe Reed Medium Hard $9.99 Woodwind Artist Series Oboe Reed Medium Hard |
|
|
Bari Star Soprano Saxophone Reed Medium Hard $8.99 Bari Star Soprano Saxophone Reed Medium Hard |
|
|
Stuart Dunkel Professional Oboe Reed Medium Hard $21.99 Stuart Dunkel Professional Oboe Reed Medium Hard |
|
|
Stuart Dunkel Professional Oboe Reed Medium $21.99 Stuart Dunkel Professional Oboe Reed Medium |
|
|
Stuart Dunkel Professional Oboe Reed Medium Soft $21.99 Stuart Dunkel Professional Oboe Reed Medium Soft |
|
|
Marlin Lesher Oboe Reed Medium Hard $11.99 Marlin Lesher Oboe Reed Medium Hard |
|
|
Bari Synthetic Alto Saxophone Reed Medium $8.99 Bari Synthetic Alto Saxophone Reed Medium |
|
|
Bari Synthetic Alto Saxophone Reed Medium Hard $8.99 Bari Synthetic Alto Saxophone Reed Medium Hard |


US $20.69
































































































