My Five Minute Reedmaker Season Two seems to be largely about experiments. People ask me how LONG, how THICK, how SLOPED, etc – and I’m running the experiments for them andContinue readingFive Minute Reedmaker: Length of the Windows
Five Minute Reedmaker: Tone
OMG the Five Minute Reedmaker is Back! Here’s what I’ve been up to: I have a few videos ready to drop – I think I’ll put them out on Fridays. Continue readingFive Minute Reedmaker: Tone
Five Minute Reedmaker: Tools: The Mandrel
In my new mini-series on tools, I guess I’m working my way through the relatively straightforward ones first – while I build up my courage to tackle knives and shapers,Continue readingFive Minute Reedmaker: Tools: The Mandrel
Five Minute Reedmaker: Tools: Plaques
I thought, sort of, that I had said everything that could possibly be said about making oboe reeds. Had done all the deep dives there were. I posted TWENTY-SEVEN videosContinue readingFive Minute Reedmaker: Tools: Plaques
Reed Repair Shop: Commercial Reeds
Commercially made reeds – those profiled-cane, shinily-wound Jones and Lesher and Emerald Reeds – have their place. They are designed for beginners, or for young players, or for players thatContinue readingReed Repair Shop: Commercial Reeds
Five Minute Reedmaker: Finishing Tips and Tricks
After you get to the point where your reed has structure, symmetry, and balance, and you still don’t quite like it, what then? What can you do to fix problemsContinue readingFive Minute Reedmaker: Finishing Tips and Tricks
Five Minute Reedmaker: U vs. W
A student asked me as we were making reeds together whether I use a U or a W scrape. I didn’t immediately know the answer, so I quickly ran theContinue readingFive Minute Reedmaker: U vs. W
Five Minute Reedmaker: The Weather
If you live in a place with seasons, you will notice dramatic changes in your reeds a couple of times a year. (I’m sure I write about this twice aContinue readingFive Minute Reedmaker: The Weather
Five Minute Reedmaker: The Heart
I’m getting close to the end of this project. It’s been really fun, and I will keep making these videos as ideas occur to me or as people ask questionsContinue readingFive Minute Reedmaker: The Heart
Five Minute Reedmaker: Stability
I’m responding today to a note from Jonathan about stability. Stability in an oboe reed is a big concept, and varies greatly from person to person and style to style. Continue readingFive Minute Reedmaker: Stability