I am a music teacher/percussionist who is looking for the best sounding oboe reeds for my daughter.
She just finished playing one year and will soon be taking private lessons.
The store bought cane reeds are "okay" but dont seem to have depth of tone.
What is the "step-up" reed I could get for her? I dont need top of the line but want better than your basic rico, lavoz, etc...
Also, where to BUY at a discounted price.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

I do my own reeds so I can`t help you but I suggest french reeds. Or, why don`t you ask directly to an oboist? You`ll find someone who makes good reeds.

...Rico, Emerald, etc....ARE the cheapest...you won`t find better for less, unless you win a lottery ...we`ve paid $11-$22...and none were particularily good...

...my daughter`s instructor has just started making them for her students...unbelievably better quality...and is asking $15 per reed...one reed should last a month of normal playing if looked after properly...

...I think the instructor will start teaching the kids how to make their own reeds...but it takes years (2-3) of practice to get it right, and some of the nec. equip. is pricey...

...my guess it that you`ll either have to live with the cheap but poor ones...or accept you`ll have to pay more for the good quality ones...

...there was woman in the US starting to sell her hand-crafted reeds, she posted a few months ago in this forum...you should check to see if her ad is still around...but they weren`t less expensive either...

http://www.jloboereeds.com/

...this was it...

Never tried this myself (I make my own reeds), but the reviews from a great number of professional oboists are excellent:
http://shop.kge-reeds.com/store/page.inetstore?id=12

Nox... what?! My teacher makes our reeds for 3 years (one every 2-3 weeks) completely free! And they`re perfect reeds, made with absolute precision and love
(he`s a concertist, he knows everything about how to repair oboes and make reeds).
Then, he want us buy equipment and teach us to make our own reeds (we have a reed-making examination the 5th year). It`s not fair you have to pay for a reed, at least in a conservatory or a music school!

Sounds like you have a good deal going...but my daughter is taking private lessons...I suppose that`s a bit different...

...however, she`s already had one reed-making lesson...and she really enjoyed it...LOL...like making a craft, but with a purpose (and all those lovely thread colours!)...

...if she stays with the oboe, I suppose we`ll end up buying the equipment, once she gets better at making her own reeds...

(Good thing she doesn`t have to make anything for the piano too!)

When I have to buy a reed I get them from Forrest`s Double Reed (www.forrestsmusic.com) They have a few different makers working with them. I am really happy with the Albion`s. Their prices are competitive, as far as I know. Good luck to your little oboist.

Hmm.. I don`t know about a reed lasting for a month.. One of my coleagues hapened to find something cheezy growing in her reed, so um.. yeah... Watch for that..
Oh, and it`ll ruin your embrosure. Old reeds are baaad. Play a couple of reeds on an alternating basis, even if one sounds better.
Just don`t buy fibrecane. It`s easy to play, but very bad in the long run.

Between grad school and working full-time, I have neither the time nor the inclination to make my own reeds. Luckily, I found a GREAT source for handmade reeds. Stellar Oboe Products has some amazing reeds that are completely made to order. You`ll be asked what kind of instrument you play, how long you`ve been playing, what style/scrape you prefer and which sound you prefer when you place your order. And in about a week or two, the new reeds arrive at your doorstep. Fairly reasonable prices too. I`ve used both the "Professional" line oboe and English horn reeds and have had awesome results with only a bit of extra modification. Check it out, because I think you`ll be pleased. http://www.oboe.net/

~nina

Stellar oboe products makes custom reeds. They keep your reeds preferences in a database so when you re-order you get the same reed every time. They are great reeds, fast delivery and unlike most places are guarenteed.

you might want to contact clevelandreed@aol.com for hand made oboe and english horn reeds cleveland reed company

If she will soon be taking private lessons, make sure the teacher can teach her how to make reeds.

Buying the equipment to make reeds is a much better investment in the long run, and they are better than storebought reeds, since they are completely personalized to each person.

Also, once you can make good reeds, a pack of 10 shaped and gouged cane will cost about $20. Thats pretty cheap, compared to the $20+ just for one reed. (Note: This is an example of a couple months in the future, since all the other equipment costs money too, but cane is really the only stuff you gotta keep buying.

My instructor has a pretty good deal on the reeds she makes:
[url]http://www31.brinkster.com/oboereeds4u/reeds.html[/url]

Respectfully yours,

Heliman

Opps ...
that should be:

http://www31.brinkster.com/oboereeds4u/reeds.html

Heliman