Special moments come at the least expected times. This video, the one I circulate periodically whenever Facebook reminds me of it, was literally just a gig. I didn’t know SullivanContinue readingChoose the YES
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: 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
Wabi-Sabi
I was listening to Seth Godin’s podcast on Wabi-Sabi and Quality and Right Effort, and I was moved by it. Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese term for the beauty of imperfection. Continue readingWabi-Sabi
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