I got an email from an oboist a while ago, back before COVID. After thanking me for the reeds I had sent, and complimenting the warm tone they had, theyContinue readingWhen to Cheat
Five Minute Reedmaker: Length of the Windows
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: 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
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: 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
Five Minute Reedmaker: English Horn Reeds
In this episode: How to use your oboe mandrel to wind an English horn reed Measurements and structures of an English horn reed How and why to put wireContinue readingFive Minute Reedmaker: English Horn Reeds
Five Minute Reedmaker: Reed Strengths
This week’s video is about my sorting process: How I organize my reeds to be Medium, Medium Hard and Medium Soft What those designations mean to me How I workContinue readingFive Minute Reedmaker: Reed Strengths