Oboe Reeds
Are these reeds like other store bought oboe reeds?
NO! All of our oboe reeds are handmade (we never sell machine made reeds!) by a very select group of oboists, with the highest quality cane and staples. Each oboe reed is tested vigorously and undergoes through inspection before being sent out ensuring that every reed you receive is of the highest quality and ready to play...
How can I make my oboe reed last longer?
Follow these simple steps:
1) Soak your reed in clean water while you are putting your oboe together - this helps to prevent as much saliva entering the fibres of the reed (Salava breaks down the structure of the cane!)
2) 'Rotate' your reeds (don't use the same reed all of the time) - you need to have a least 3 oboe reeds. Play one for a day and then switch to a different reed for the next day, so you don't use the same reed continuously. Rotating reeds like this usually dramatically increases the amount of time a reed will last.
3) Finished playing for the day? run some cold water through your reeds - this helps to reduce the build-up of 'gunk' on the reed which will eventually clog up the reed.
4) Leave your reed case out and open each night - this gives your reeds a chance to rest and will help reduce the chance of your reeds going mouldy.
5) If you've just eaten and are about to play the oboe drink a glass of water - food is the worst culprit for destroying oboe reeds. Try to reduce the possibility of food debris from the mouth getting onto the reed or indeed into your oboe!
What difference do metal oboe staples make?
The metal oboe staples, used on the Winfield Pro reeds, allow the vibrations the reed creates to pass more readily into the oboe as opposed to when using a cork oboe staple. Cork staples tend to damp the reeds vibrations slightly. This usually leads to the metal staple creating a larger sound which projects further and that has a greater degree of flexibility.
I'm a beginner oboist, which reed should I choose?
We suggest that all beginner and up to grade 2 oboists use our specially designed Student Oboe Reeds. These student reeds have thicker tips which means there is less chance of the reed being accidentally damaged. They are very free blowing with a pleasant tone allowing for effortless playing. We offer a great value '6 month' deal with our student oboe reeds: you purchase 6 oboe reeds in advance to gain a large discount, free postage and we will then send out two student oboe reeds every two months. You no longer have to worry about ordering more reeds as you always know more are on their way, in the comfy knowledge that you've saved money!
I'm a university student / music college student / professional oboist, which reed do you suggest?
The two favourite reeds for oboe that professional oboists tend to use are the Professional Oboe Reed by Crook & Staple and the Winfield Professional Brass Staple Oboe Reed. These are very free blowing reeds which resonate well creating a large warm sound.
Should I use US or European scrape oboe reeds?
If you live in the UK or most of Europe then most oboists tend to use the European scrape. (All of our oboe reeds apart from the ‘KGE Professional US Oboe Reed’ are European scrape!)
If you are from the USA we suggest you use the US scrape oboe reeds which is a longer scrape as this is what is generally
used in the USA. (The only US scrape oboe reed we sell is the ‘KGE Professional US Oboe Reed’)
Why do some oboe reeds have a wire?
Some reed makers choose to use wires, and this is partially down to the reedmakers personally style of reed making. The wire on the reed allows you to adjust the oboe reed more easily, suiting it to yourself more easily.
Which oboe reeds are made in the UK?
The 'by Crook and Staple' and Winfield oboe reeds are made in the UK.