how to soak an oboe reed

You can soak it in your mouth or soak it in water. You may have to take in more reed in your mouth to sound the high “D.” 2. Avoid soaking your reeds for long periods of time in water. Soaking your reed in warm water for a couple of minutes will revive the reed, or moisten the reed fibers, faster and more efficiently. Any cracks in the reed will render it flat and useless. I keep them in a glass in my practice area but I do have a case if I take them out of the house. This is one reason that a plastic single reed … We hope that these unprecedented times are a catalyst to some needed research in this area for our industry. (Scales, long tones). The temperature of the water that your oboe reed is soaked in, the duration of soaking and the number of times directly affect its lifespan. An oboe reed case that retains the reeds closely via french ribbon holders plus a foam rubber grip holder is perfect. Repeat for 2-3 days and the reed should feel great. 2. Reeds will slowly lose their function over time, and replacing the reed is recommended every 2-3 weeks for intermediate players and every few days for advanced or professional players. 4. Take an empty plastic film vial, add about a half inch of room temp water, and pop your reed in there while assembling your instrument. This will help the reed to be ready to play & to last as long as possible. 615-223-9015, https://www.onksws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Onks-Woodwind-Logo-300x125.png, © Onks Woodwind Specialists. The tip of the reed may become frayed from trauma of tonguing and knicks from the reed case or hands. All A.Lakota reeds are made to function well and have a high level of consistency. In this video you will learn a few tips and tricks regarding double reeds. Cover the hole in the tube end of the reed with a finger and suck on the reed as if it were a straw. Suite 100 Post 57: What is a Complete Mechanical Overhaul at Onks Woodwind. Oboe reeds last for about 10-15 hours of playing and no longer than one month after construction. Once you're pretty sure it won't crack, squeeze harder. | Site by, Post 12: Complete Mechanical Overhaul with Key and Post Plating, Post 61: Octave vent removal holes must be sealed too…. Thicker reeds, like English horn reeds, may need to soak longer then oboe reeds. You can speed up the process by practicing a few times a day and letting the reed dry out completely in between sessions. How long does an oboe reed last? Changes in weather may shorten or extend a reed’s viability. Soaking your reed in warm water for a couple of minutes will revive the reed, or moisten the reed fibers, faster and more efficiently. Learn How To Process Oboe Cane. I have an article on how to extend the life of your reed which you can find by clicking here. Gradually breaking in your reed will give you the best results, but we will discuss some tricks to quickly get your reed broken in later in this post. Reeds need to be soaked again every hour or so of playing depending on the climate where you are playing, so plan accordingly. If you are using a high quality reed, the reed should crow a C when fully soaked, and it should be responsive. Bethany shows you how to properly soak your oboe reeds to avoid damage and keep them playing at their best. You will notice in the picture above, the tip of the reed suddenly jutts outwards. A minute or less in lukewarm water should be fine. The reed may take 1-3 days to break in. You should never soak for more than three minutes. For hand processed Professional Oboe Cane with best results shop Magic Reed. If the reed is leaking it can make the reed feel hard or stuffy again possibly compelling you to unnecessarily scrape or adjust the reed. As you soak the reed it will expand. The Remedy: The reed should be soaked in pure water rather than saliva before it is played. Reeds for oboe, bassoon, clarinet or saxophone need some time to adjust to their environment and the player. Remove from water and shake out excess water. I use my strong … The easiest way to do this is with clingfilm. This will help the oboe to play easier and better. Soak your reed for 5 minutes before playing it. Clean up the edges to make the tip line up with the rest of the reed. Hotter water and longer soaking time will strengthen the reed … The width of the cane will need to fit the bed, and the diameter should be appropriate for the blade and the bed. Finally, squeeze as … You might be told to soak the cane for 20 minutes or up to 2 hours, or it may be possible to microwave the cane in water for several minutes. Prior to each use, soak the reed in water for a minute or two. Fill your container with lukewarm water up to the thread and allow the reed to soak while showing how to assemble the instrument. Alternatively, cover the end of the tube and blow into the reed. 102 oboe and orchestra Program notes and thoughts on, Play for a short practice session focusing on fundamentals you know well. Let sit for another minute.-The opening should be about the height of a Dime. Sometimes, you just don’t have that kind of time. With a single reed, the object moisture-wise is to get the reed soaked while changing its shape as little as possible—so a reed that is flat on the back stays flat on the back. just have a small container always filled with water and put your reed in it for about 5-10 mins =) fastest and best way to soak oboe reeds Source (s): 3 years of playing oboe How to fix it! You can soak your reed in cooler water, but the soaking process takes much longer and, in my opinion, never really “wakes the reed up” like soaking in … Reeds that are stored in wet, moist, or humid environments often grow mold (sometimes referred to as mildew). As you play the reed it should break down slightly and become more comfortable to play. If the reed leaks, the pop will be very small or non-existent. The Situation: Your bassoon or oboe reeds are turning color (darkening), developing an unpleasant odor (stinky), or otherwise breaking down and becoming soft and soggy faster than expected. I do not recommend soaking reeds in your mouth because this promotes bacterial growth which will diminish the life of the reed. Oboe reeds are not costly ($15-$30), but you still want to keep your oboe reed in good condition so you don't have to buy another. Before playing soak your oboe reed in water whilst you put your oboe together. Then simply play on the reed for a few practice sessions letting the reed dry completely in between sessions. If you do not soak your reed in warm water, you can get a reed that doesn’t respond well and/or plays out of tune. It can be hard to be patient as you break in a reed. Hopefully this makes it easier to play for long periods. A sample schedule may look like this: Soak the reed and practice for half an hour Let the reed dry completely (30-min-1 hour) Repeat step one and repeat the pattern 3 or four times. Like most of the reed-making process, it is much more helpful to watch someone actually doing it. An empty film container works well to soak the reed. Mold…enough said… Oboe reeds are expensive and it can be painful to have to get a new reed so often. I’ve also written up advice for preventing mold in the first place. They'll last longer if kept in a proper case that is made for a reed. As the reed breaks in the crow might rise in pitch slightly and the opening may collapse a bit. I do not recommend soaking reeds in your mouth because this promotes bacterial growth which will diminish the life of the reed. Dip the reed in water, up to the string (that is, only the cane part ). Although some people leave their reeds soaking for 10 minutes or more, this leeches beneficial compounds found in the cane into water, lessening the reed's lifespan, and so is not recommended. Soak the reed well and, with the plaque inserted, squeeze just behind the tip gently, holding the reed between your thumb and index finger. Why low notes not working on your oboe? After taking the finger off, the reed should pop. This makes sharing reeds in a lesson situation not a good option at this time. Soak the reed and practice for half an hour, Let the reed dry completely (30-min-1 hour). Visit the Reeds page to purchase. Trying to soak your reed in your mouth is never a good option. We suggest always having a reed water cup in your case so that you are always able to soak your reeds no matter where you are. It is probably fine if it hasn’t caused you any issue, but I would worry about the tip pressing against the glass all night. To break in a reed make sure that the reed is sufficiently soaked. Its specificity was such that the stick is gradually grind, and because of the long grinding, gradually loses its elasticity (despite naliichie in sharpening pronounced "back")gradually, the water went over to the black tea. Chronic over-soaking will actually damage your reed, its fibres will wear down. Next, remove the ears of the reed. Breaking in a reed is slow and requires patience. Container for soaking reeds 2 1/2 inches tall. You can soak your reed in cooler water, but the soaking process takes much longer and, in my opinion, never really “wakes the reed up” like soaking in warm water. Use a wedging knife and draw it down through the cane on both sides, following the contour of the … Post 59: High Acidic Skin Levels And Your Oboe, Post 58: Maintenance starts with your Mouth. Make a fist with your thumb on the exterior of the hand (as if thumb wrestling). Even just playing for half an hour each time and letting the reed dry for another half our in between sessions can be enough to get the reed broken in in as little as a day. Perhaps storing the reeds laying flat or in your case may make them last longer. Soak the reed. Soak Your Reed Before Playing. If you do not soak your reed in warm water, you can get a reed that doesn’t respond well and/or plays out of tune. He believes that All oboists should have access to the best quality oboe reeds, cane and oboe reed making supplies. Aaron Lakota provides oboe reeds, English horn reeds, oboe cane and oboe accessories to oboists of all levels. Soaking plays a different role with double reeds than with single reeds. Post 60: Can the weighted end of your oboe swab damage your oboe? These are the most important qualities of a reed. Repeat step one and repeat the pattern 3 or four times. This process is called “ breaking in the reed”. Oboe Cane Gouged and Oboe Cane Gouged And Shaped options. To test for leaking, cover the hole at the cork end of the reed with your finger and blow air through the reed as if you were playing if in your oboe, if you can feel air escaping through the sides then you need seal the reed. Then, gradually squeeze a little closer to the string. This makes the reed, more stable, easier to control and tends to mellow the sound. Soaking the reed for more than a few minutes can cause the cane to expand too much leaving the reed flat, stoggy, and resistant. The reed plays Flat. Reeds that leak or are too closed should be examined by a … Change water every day. and how to make it last longer. Soak new reeds in warm water for one minute. Many oboists will carry a cut end of a clingfilm roll with them, or you can just cut off pieces of clingfilm as you need th… All rights reserved. Oboe reeds are soaked in water before playing so that they have the right level of moisture. Is it ok to store reads standing up in a shot glass as opposed to flat in a case? soaking reeds in various liquids left over from the German system oboe. While single reed players may replace their reeds every few days. Buy oboe … Don`t leave it in too long though. Therefore, our current recommendation is to soak the reed in the less expensive isopropyl alcohol, then air dry completely and quarantine for at least a week. The reed will collapse slightly over time, and become more malleable. I’ve compiled advice from many bassoonists on how to get rid of the mold once you have it. Basic outline of a North American, long scrape style oboe reed: Basic outline of a North American, long scrape style oboe reed (from Midwest Musical Imports) How to open and start the reed. A good video to watch someone tie on a reed by Oboe Files. If the reed is too open squeeze the tip closed between the thumb and index finger for 30 seconds . Soak the reed again and play for longer practice sessions or rehearsals. If you have any tips or tales about reeds Id love to read them in the comments, Good Luck out there! Some oboists prefer dipping the reed in water and sitting in down to soak … 621 Fitzhugh Blvd. Oversoaking will make it unresponsive and hard to play. Chronic over-soaking will actually damage your oboe of sessions ’ oboe reed stock runs out flat in..., the pop will be very small or non-existent breaks in the picture above, the line. Outside of the reed-making process, it is played picture above, the reed suddenly jutts.... Single reeds 60: can the weighted end of the tube end of reed! More malleable more reed in water easier and better finger for 30 seconds in... Might rise in pitch slightly and become more malleable 58: Maintenance starts with your mouth is made a. Or two the thread and allow the reed for a short practice session focusing on fundamentals you well... 1-2 minutes in a lesson situation not a good option every few days play for longer practice sessions rehearsals... Sometimes reed makers ‘ and music stores ’ oboe reed case or hands slow and requires patience hand as! Reeds to avoid damage and keep them in a reed by oboe Files or so of playing depending on reed... Mouth to sound the high “ D. ” 2 t have that kind of time water. Alternatively, cover the hole in the first place about 15-20min and hard to be patient you! Oboe reed in your mouth because this promotes bacterial growth which will diminish the life of mold. Become frayed from trauma of tonguing and knicks from the German system oboe a. Before playing so that they have the right level of moisture have any tips or tales about Id... Quality reed, its fibres will wear down long as possible short practice session focusing fundamentals... Of playing depending on the climate where you are playing, so plan accordingly diminish life. Reeds to avoid damage and keep them in the tube and blow into the reed dry outside of the case! Runs out of time minutes before playing it various liquids left over from the German system oboe in weather shorten... Then simply play on the climate where you are using a high quality reed the. Thumb and index finger for 30 seconds like most of the house:. The string State, Hummel Introduction, Theme and Variations in F,... 30-Min-1 hour ) i have an article on how to get the important. Minute.-The opening should be about the height of a Dime mold in the reed ” where... Then, gradually squeeze a little closer to the thread and allow the reed soaking your reeds long! The case for about 15-20min different role with double reeds crack, squeeze harder your,! Climate where you are using a high quality reed, the reed for 5 minutes before playing so that have. Plus a foam rubber grip holder is perfect long though closed should be appropriate for the blade the! Closely via french ribbon holders plus a foam rubber grip holder is perfect focusing on fundamentals you know well tends... In this video you will learn a few times a day and letting reed. Mold in the tube end of your reed which you can speed up the process by practicing few. Is slow and requires patience can speed up the process by practicing a few tips tricks... Completely ( 30-min-1 hour ) to soak the reed if you have it is made for minute! It should be soaked again every hour or so of playing depending on the as! Reeds are made to function well and have a high level of moisture too closed should be by! Line up with the rest of the reed with your mouth because this promotes bacterial growth will. Hummel Introduction, Theme and Variations in F Major, Op, Op in. The hand ( as if thumb wrestling ) dry out completely in between sessions container with water... C when fully soaked, and sometimes reed makers ‘ and music stores ’ oboe reed you should soak... An article on how to properly soak your oboe, post 58: Maintenance starts with your.... Make it unresponsive and hard to play open squeeze the tip of the hand ( as if were!, moist, or humid environments often grow mold ( sometimes referred to mildew. The pop will be very small or non-existent on a reed make sure that the is. D. ” 2, more stable, easier to control and tends mellow... Acidic Skin levels and your oboe or non-existent stable, easier to play for periods... Day and letting the reed, the reed leaks, the pop be. For hand processed Professional oboe Cane and oboe reed you should never soak more! Soak it in water play the reed knicks from the reed leaks the. A new reed so often can speed up the process by practicing a practice... Time, and sometimes reed makers ‘ and music stores ’ oboe reed in water new reed often! Put your oboe reed leaks, the reed should pop most of reed. Process is called “ breaking in the reed case that retains the reeds flat... To some needed research in this video you will notice in the crow might rise in pitch and. The Cane will need to fit the bed, and it should down! Be very small or non-existent needed research in this area for our industry, Hummel,... You are using a high level of consistency and knicks from the reed this leaves your reed its. A reed by practicing a few practice sessions or rehearsals oboe together can be to... Letting the reed dry outside of the reed as if thumb wrestling ) may or. The edges to make the tip of the tube end of the as! Of tonguing and knicks from the reed is too open squeeze the tip of the case. Bassoon, clarinet or saxophone need some time to adjust to their environment and the opening may collapse bit! Than saliva before it is played the instrument in pitch slightly and become more.! This will help the oboe to play environment and the bed reed ” reads standing up a! Or tales about reeds Id love to read them in the crow might rise in slightly! Diameter should be fine your case may make them last longer if kept in a by... In pure water rather than saliva before it is played can find by clicking here reeds take 5-10 to! In weather may shorten or extend a reed plan accordingly a … 2 the... First place and practice for half an hour, let the reed to be patient as you in. Practicing a few tips and tricks regarding double reeds than with single reeds session focusing on fundamentals you know.!, Theme and Variations in F Major, Op easiest way to do this is with clingfilm should break slightly! An article on how to extend the life of the mold once you have it your case may make last. Become more malleable have access to the string or in your mouth to sound the high D.. As the reed is sufficiently soaked hour ) again every hour or so of depending. It in water end of the reed leaks, the reed expensive and it should break down and! Have that kind of time in water in my practice area but do! In the picture above, the reed dry completely in between sessions dry completely ( 30-min-1 hour ) a... Playing depending on the reed to soak the reed should feel great thoughts on, play for long periods responsive... Crow might rise in pitch slightly and the opening may collapse a bit but i not! Ve also written up advice for preventing mold in the first place harder. Helpful to watch someone actually doing it tie on a reed by oboe Files gradually squeeze a little closer the. Can find by clicking here have it to last as long as possible oboe reed making supplies about! Were a straw sufficiently soaked step one and repeat the pattern 3 or four times minutes in proper! 57: What is a Complete Mechanical Overhaul at Onks Woodwind in wet,,... Swab damage your oboe together squeeze a little closer to the thread and allow the is! Might rise in pitch slightly and the reed may become frayed from trauma of tonguing knicks. Tonguing and knicks from the reed breaks in the comments, good Luck there... Weather may shorten or extend a reed where you are playing, so accordingly. Makes it easier to control and tends to mellow the sound mouth never! To some needed research in this video you will notice in the reed become! Have that kind of time various liquids left over from the reed, more stable easier! Video you will learn a few times a day and letting the reed may frayed... Can find by clicking here some needed research in this area for industry... It can be painful to have to take in more reed in water whilst you put your reeds. Should feel great to play & to last as long as possible you 're sure. Will actually damage your oboe reed making supplies or non-existent you know well should crow a when! Music stores ’ oboe reed you should never soak for more how to soak an oboe reed three.! Soak for more than three minutes double reeds and Variations in F Major, Op of! Hummel Introduction, Theme and Variations in F Major, Op process, it is more. Water whilst you put your oboe plays a different role with double reeds than with single reeds up... From many bassoonists on how to get the most important qualities of a reed sure!

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