ReedsInCase

01. March 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Reeds, Tools

I received a lovely email from Ryan Walsh, the owner of the company ReedsInCase, and he sent me a sample reed and a Tool Kit Reed Case made by Jen Case. The latter is quite clever, and wonderful way to carry both reeds and tools in a lightweight case. My Landwell won’t fit because it’s handle is a bit too thick, but the Jende barely works, and my Vitry knives fit easily. The reed plays well. I really should purchase a few others from Ryan just to see about the consistency of them, but I was impressed. It’s a rather long reed (over 71mm), and I did a wee bit of carving. It’s not uncommon to need to fine tune a reed, especially when it was made in another part of the country, so I have no problem with that. I may end up clipping the tip a bit, but we’ll see. I’m going to take some time with it to allow it to adjust to California. After all, it’s had a long trip!

Here are some photos … both sides of the case, and below that the reed in the case:

There are other reed cases as well, so be sure and check out all their products!

Thank you, Ryan and Jen, for your wonderful generosity! I think your products are great, and I hope your business is very successful!

Sometimes Reeds Look Awful …

13. February 2012 · 4 comments · Categories: Opera, Reeds

… and sound okay. Sometimes they look fantastic and even crow great, but don’t work at all. Reeds are a mystery and I don’t care what anyone else says. They are a mystery and that’s that.

For opening night of opera this past Saturday I played on three reeds. La Traviata is a three act opera, but we are doing it slightly differently. We do Act One as is and have an intermission. Then we do Act Two but we don’t get all the way through it before we take our second intermission. We stop right after Alfredo has his little fit about Violetta leaving him. After that intermission we do the remainder of Act Two (now renamed Act Three) and after a short break we do what Verdi called Act Three (unless he, too, had this all done differently and I don’t know about it) and we now call Act Four. Yeah, crazy to try and explain … mostly because I’m not good at explaining things!

So for Act One I used the purple reed on the right that you see below. For the second I used the red (middle) reed. I do the final two acts with the purple reed on the left. All three of those reeds look mighty awful, but they were the ones that worked so there you go. Most important with a reed is response. If it doesn’t respond well, I don’t care how good it sounds. It doesn’t get used. Of course pitch is also important, and finally we do want a reed that has a good sound. I’ve had students use reeds that are just awful when it comes to response but they like them because of their tone. The struggle isn’t worth it. Really. Make sure reads respond!

Sunday I planned on doing the same thing with my reeds, but when I pulled out the pink reed for the second act it had a crack in it. How that happens to me I don’t know. Seems as if I’m the only one who has reeds that just crack all of the sudden. I’m guessing it’s my rotten reed making technique. I pulled out another reed but I only used it when I wasn’t worried about response, since I didn’t quite trust it, so I used Act One guy for the majority of Act TWo.

Reeds. They are a curse, as far as I’m concerned. For the most part, though, I deal (and complain and whine). At least not so far.

Now we have a long break: no opera until Thursday night. I suppose I should work on reeds for the next few days. And maybe practice a bit ‘o Mahler, too! I’m still trying to figure out a reliable fingering for high-high A (you know, the one higher than the “normal” high A). Why would anyone write that for oboe? Ugh!

It Goes Without Saying …

10. February 2012 · 2 comments · Categories: Reed Making, Reeds

But of course I’ll say it anyway!

The closer I get to a concert, the worse my reeds feel.

Yep. I’m hating my reeds. Tonight I have a recital at UCSC and tomorrow is Opera San José’s opening night for La traviata.

I’m not sure if it’s psychological, or if I really do have worse reeds when I near a concert. I’m guessing it’s the former. But who cares about the why of it all. It just IS, and I have to deal. So today I’m working on reeds, and hoping a miracle occurs. Truth of it is, though, that I rarely trust a brand new reed, and I’m sure I’ll end up dealing with older ones. The recital is only one piece, and I have a reed I think will get me through even though it’s not stellar. I’ve been using three and sometimes four reeds a night for opera, in my continued search for ones that sound and feel good. I don’t have much in the opera, but I do have a one solo and a few other things that are heard that make for scary times if I don’t like my reed(s).

Last night was our final dress rehearsal. I (foolishly?) walked seven miles during the day, and then I had two students. By the time I started the opera my brain was rather fried. I played wrong notes (fortunately in places that no one other than a couple of people around me would notice). I felt unfocussed. I thought I sounded abominable. I realize I’m my worst critic but still ….

Okay … back to reeds now. I just felt the need to vent!

Ah, the Joy of Reeds

09. February 2012 · 3 comments · Categories: Reeds

I’ve written about this before, I’m sure, and it’s nothing a double reed player doesn’t already know, but since there are readers here who aren’t reeders (aren’t I just so darn funny sometimes?!) I’ll write about it again.

I’m in the middle of an Opera San José run of La traviata. This Friday night I have a recital at UCSC where I’m playing the Carl Reinecke trio for oboe, horn and piano. I can’t play the same reeds for these two events. For opera I have been playing several reeds for the first and second acts, and then I use another for the end of the opera. The reed I’m hoping to use for the recital is a different one from anything I would ever play in the pit. We have to choose reeds for different acoustics. We have to choose reeds for different climates and elevations. It’s crazy making, to be honest. I’m hopeful that the reed I’m planning on using for the recital will work on Friday; with the weather changing and all, who knows? I know I’ll need more reeds for opera, as we have eight performances and reeds just don’t last long when I’m playing so much. Following the opera run I play in San Jose Chamber Orchestra’s performance of Mahler’s fourth symphony, where we are doing the chamber orchestra version. For that I have to have oboe and English horn reeds ready to go.

I hate reeds. But I also love them. When they are bad, they really are just hideous to work with. When they are good they feel heavenly. Most times they are somewhere between those two ends of the spectrum, though. So far I have nothing I love, but I also am not going to crazy. I still do wish I had a few that felt a wee bit better, though.

Ah well. Reeds are the curse of the oboist. And that’s just the way it goes.

& I Thought I Was Going Through A Lot Of Reeds!

05. November 2011 · 4 comments · Categories: Reeds

Check out the photo of bassoon reeds in this blog post. Amazing!

But don’t they look pretty? They just looks so artistic lined up in rows like that. Which makes me wonder if maybe I should go into “oboe reed art” rather than oboe playing.

Hmmm.

Yahoo Answers

12. October 2011 · 1 comment · Categories: Reeds

(I really think these should be called “Yahoo Questions”, but I guess they didn’t bother to ask me!)

Read there:

I have been playing oboe for around a year in a half (after playing clarinet and flute) and have been looking around for possible oboe reeds that will last and sound fairly good. I also came across Emerald Plastic reeds too. What works best? Any other brand ideas? Also I use around a medium, sometimes medium soft.

Best Answer – Chosen by Asker

Oh babe, DO NOT play on a plastic reed. It may last forever, but they sound like party favors. It’s like the difference between playing on an oboe that’s wood and one that’s plastic.

Look for Jones or Fox brand if you want to go the store bought route. Otherwise, have someone make them for you. Hand made lasts longer than store bought

Read here.

I’m always amazed that people still think about buying plastic oboe reeds. I know a very fine bassoonist that began with plastic bassoon reeds. Are those reeds better, or am I just wrong to think one should never purchase a plastic oboe reed? But then I wouldn’t recommend a Jones of Fox oboe reed either. Maybe I’m just too picky!

Arundo Donax

31. August 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Reeds

I just loved this photo below, and received permission from Aegean Reeds to share it! The next time your child asks, “Mommy, where do baby reeds come from?” you can show them this photo and then share the whole story.

Of course now I’m curious about the cane myself. Might have to give it a go, yes?!

Oboe Reeds, In Any Language

07. June 2011 · 4 comments · Categories: Reeds, Videos

… are a pain.

I’m sure somewhere in here we are hearing “Clarinet reeds are a piece of cake. Bassoon reeds are big so they are easy. Oboe reeds are the most difficult thing in the world to make and all oboists deserve medals.”

(I had to plug my ears a few times, due to the ballet music that was being played. Well, okay, maybe I’m kidding!)

The oboe reeds aren’t the scrape we use here, as you’ll see toward the end.

… and the word I understood immediately? “Pazienza”! Something I never seem to have.

And here is the Magic Flute work that you heard a bit of in the video above:

Here’s the Sinfonia Concertante (the way I like it, with the oboe playing the top part rather than flute):

I

II

III

Reed Read Online

25. January 2011 · Comments Off · Categories: Read Online, Reeds

My father once told me that oboe players were all a little crazy because of the back pressure from their reeds. Now all of us clarinet and saxophone players know we have it easy next to those double reed players. In most cases they have to make their own reeds.

So darn true … except for the “little” crazy bit. I would suggest a LOT crazy.

Okay, just speaking for myself. ;-)

I read the above here, where the single reed blogger has discovered decent synthetic reeds. May I admit extreme jealousy? I’ve heard recently that a number of single reeders are moving to synthetic reeds. And yes, it’s just a little bit depressing that we can’t do that.

Sigh.

IF …?

10. January 2011 · 4 comments · Categories: Oboe, Reeds

If I owned these and wore them would I be a better reed maker?

Or just a better nerd?

Don’tcha Wish …

05. November 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Reeds

You played Shehnai or Mizmar? Just saw this online:

Shehnai/Mizmar Double Reed Only, 4 Pack
List Price: $4.90
Price: $3.68

Sigh.

Read Online

11. October 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Read Online, Reeds

Soaking a reed in the mouth is unacceptable. It will never produce good vibrations.

I’ve never really thought about the vibrations. I just use water because we have all sorts of yucky things in our mouths and who wants to put saliva in a reed when you don’t have to. They’ll be in the mouth soon enough! I also don’t think about soaking so much as letting the reed take a little dip. I will dip the reed in water, take it out and let it sit and think about life for a short while. No need to drown the poor thing! ;-)

Nope, Didn’t Happen

17. September 2010 · 2 comments · Categories: Reeds

In any case, an improved synthetic reed and a better supply of natural reeds would do much to alleviate the anxieties of woodwind players. “By the time the 21st century rolls around,” says Casadonte, “hopefully woodwind players won’t still be sitting around coffee tables complaining about reeds all day.”

Sadly, the 21st century has rolled around, and improved synthetic reeds, for oboe at least, have not appeared. (I’ve heard that some clarinetists swear by them now … lucky folk!)

I read the above quote here. Check out the article. It really is rather interesting, even while it doesn’t make my reed issues any better.

Whew! I may continue to whine!

Asked and asked and asked

08. September 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Asked Online, Reeds

Read online …

Is it my oboe reed or just me that makes my oboe sound bad?

My old reed broke cause it got too old and worn off (I played very well on that reed :[ ) so I bought a new medium reed (like what I bought from before except different brand). The reed looks new and looks fine but when I play my oboe with it, it sounds like a saxophone or a weak, strangled duck. Any tips and should I buy a new reed instead?

She forgot to ask “or is it my oboe?” … something many of us forget! Sometimes I am struggling and struggling and I blame me. Or I blame the reed. And eventually I realize it’s that my oboe has gone out of adjustment. Go figure.

Odds are, with the above question, that it really is her reed. She is buying store bought reeds. You never know what you might get, aside from knowing it won’t be great. You simply cannot buy a great machine-made store bought reed. Really. (Of course she should have a private instructor and she should be asking her teacher about reeds and her teacher should be working with her on them … and … and … and … but so many kids out there don’t have teachers. So sad.)

Oh … and one other thing … it is simply not acceptable to have only one reed. My students know I require a minimum of three working reeds. Having one reed is just plain foolish.

Ah yes … reed color!

03. September 2010 · Comments Off · Categories: Read Online, Reeds, Yahoo! Answers

A dear friend of mine makes reeds (hi Mike!) and he’s mentioned that some people ask if they can choose reed color. (The answer is no … and really, who cares about color when you have a great reed, eh?) I just read this, which I found sort of cute (but $15 or less for a good reed? Forget it!):

Good website to order quality oboe reeds off of…?
I play the oboe, and going to the store to buy reeds constantly is seeming to be a growing hassle between my family’s busy schedule. Because of this, I have decided to start ordering online. I wanted to make sure that if i do order online, the reed will be of good quality, because honestly, who wants to pay 20 bucks for a piece of crap? I would prefer for the reed(s) to be 15$ and under (not including shipping) and if at all possible, I want to be able to pick my thread color… if you know of any good, reliable, quality websites, please let me know! Thanks!

I read it here.

Reeds will, I fear, always be the curse of the oboe player. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it right here: If someone invented a plastic reed that was wonderful I’d gladly pay a heap ‘o money for a few of ‘em. Truly. Even charging $1,000 for a great reed that never died … sign me up!

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