i was jus wondering if the reed makes your oboe sound any different then if you make it yourself or buy it from the store. I understand that if you make it its better, but if it does how do you make one? I have been playing now for 4 1/2 months and I have been buying my reed, but alot of people tell me thats its better if you make them? why? I dont really now any advice.

Making reeds is very time consuming.. you have to be very patient..if you do want to make your own reeds.. get a professional.. or someone that makes reeds already to teach you.. making your own reeds is better cause you can make them to how they suit you.. soft hard medium etc. and in the long term.. making your own reeds is MUCH more affordable (reeds are killing my wallet!!) but you can still buy really good reeds...i buy reeds atm.. cuz i really dont have the time to make them.. but im taking a course later nxt month for reed making.. so yeah keep you guys updated!

Jaspie bOi..

Maybe making your own reeds is more affordable when you`ve been doing it for years and can easily whip one out, but when you are a beginner in the reed-making department, be prepared to plunk down a whole lot of money, both in equipment expenses and in wasted cane because you`ve made bunk reed after bunk reed.

I suggest hooking up with a teacher or professional oboist in your area and buying handmade reeds, at least until you have an extra few hundred laying around to invest in reed-making gear and a good teacher to show you how.

oh god.. dis mite seem immature.. but when you said "hooking up wit a professional or a teacher.." i was like :O hahaha.. sorry haha

Jaspie

Not THAT kind of hooking up, silly. Your teacher could spend time in prison for that!

im a silly one alrite haha.. hey teacher and student.. dats pretty hot HAHAHAHA KIDDDING!! eww

Jaspie

VERY much so.

Big difference in hand-made reeds and store-bought reeds are as follows:

1.) Good hand-made reeds tend not to SUCK.
2.) Store-bought reeds are expensive, and almost ALWAYS suck.
3.) Err, I don`t like store-bought reeds.

Really, if you can, get a professional oboe teacher to make a few to suit you. They`re generally more expensive, but they last longer, and play MUCH better.

If you can`t get a professional to help ya, I recommend the Lesher brand of reed, because I`ve found that... 7/10 reeds are pretty good. Not outstanding, but they`ll produce a good enough tone.

Hope this helps,
~Chris

Thanx guys really much that help alot
But 4-now i think i will cont.. buying my reeds until i can take the time out and try to figure out how to make one

Thanx again

Handmade reeds are the way to good, if you plan to go further then high school. Plus, the reason for handmade reeds is to make your reeds to help "you" produce the sound you desire. After I got off the store reeds, and began making my own (blakes are wonderful people)my sound became MUCH prettier. Plus, handmade reeds save money...and you can use pretty colored string! ^-^

But as others have said....it`s takes up time. If you`re like me and have a limited amount of time, blakes are the way to go. Blakes are reeds without any adjustments to the blades of the reeds, but everything else is already done. Lots of pro makes theses....and there pretty cheap...dunkel sales them for $5!!

You mean blanks, yes?