I have been an oboist nonprofessionally for many years and have played with many ensambles. I`ve never developed the patience for making my own reeds and I now feel that I should attempt to do so in as much as the reeds that I have been purchasing have always required adjustment and invariably end up useless. Can anyone suggest some hints or instructions to remedy my reed problem?

As you suggested, you could learn to make your own reeds. But learning to make reeds is very time-consuming and inevitably expensive, because you`ll have to make many many many bad reeds before you acquire the skill to produce good ones.

I assume that you`re not using store-bought reeds (in which case just switching to purchased handmade would probably do the trick), so I suggest that you find a prolific reedmaker who is willing to work with you to adjust the reed to your tastes. Ideally, consult your private teacher or the reed maker to discuss the scrape and adjustments you prefer in your reed, as well as strength and variety of cane and length of the reed. Once you get a maker who knows your style, they can produce you every good reeds--and honestly, as someone who hates to make reeds, I think it`s worth every extra penny you pay for a reed to have someone else make it.

Best ways to find local (or good long-distance) reed makers: consult IDRS, or your local double reed shop.