i have to use a store bought reed!*sobs* i'm not allowed to use my new reed until my seating auditions on the 25th :[

not even break it in? shouldn't u practice your piece on it cuz all reeds are way different (the little beasts reeds are:D)

i'm not sure.. she just said not to play on it until the audition. when i really want to cause i hate my store bought one. i'll have to ask her at lesson wednesday.

why would you use emerald in a state competition? When I try for all state, I will run to my wwbw magazine and order some Vandorens! They just started making them, and are actually about 30 dollars a piece, ouch! But they are vandorens, so they must play well

speaking of reed prices...

so when the clarinets are sqeaking like a ton and its their reeds problem(like a crack), our conductor will say they need to do the "wall test" on their reed. He takes the reed and smashes it against the wall:D
He doesn't do it with oboes reeds tho:D Clarinet reeds are around 3-5 dollars right... and oboes are from 10-30:D

i use ... and :D way 2 much

He takes the reed and smashes it against the wall:D
LMFAO! It sounds like your director is really funny!

yeah he's awesome. fun so that i love band, but strict enough and stuff so we band program. (our symphonic band was invited to compete in indianapolas or somewhere over there:D)

Do NOT use Emerald reeds! They are really bad! I'm not quite sure about the other kind you mentioned though. Another thing you can try to do is order some reeds at an online music store like wwbw.com. Marlin Lesher reeds are the best machine-made ones I have tried. You could also try to order some hand-made ones from different reed makers. I would recommend some from the colorado reed company or from reedmaker.com. Hope this helps!

Sorry I guess I am just repeating things other people have said lol. Maybe I should have read the other reviews before I replied!

I tried a couple of Accent Reeds (I didn't know they were in stores). I ordered them from the website, they were handmade and sounded great. Hope this helps!!!!

so today was the 2nd day of school, 1st day of bringing instruments and playing... my friend had to go buy new reeds last night... they are the most ugliest reeds ever. like the cane thats showing is way short, and the scrape is like straight across halfway through the middle with i wire right underneath where the scrape starts... i felt bad for her it was the only kind they had tho.

No one should have to play on a reed like that! Why does it have to be so hard to find perfect reeds!

the eternal quest

Actually, the questions is "Why is it so hard to find DECENT reeds?"

Most of the time, you can ask to look at the oboe reeds before you buy them. Don't be afraid to take it out of the case and look at it. Check that there is a nice overlap (not too much!), there are no cracks, and that it doesn't leak. If the cashier tries to get you to "Just buy a read already!" then leave. They don't know what they're talking about. =] I make sooo many people mad doing that! I walk into the stores, inspect all of thier reeds, basically say they're trash, and walk out. But It's worth it if you want to find even a decent reed.

basically say they're trash, and walk out

lol, I need to bring you into my music store, they are so numb!