How to Make Oboe Reeds Flat

The most important part of an oboe is its reed.

Oboe reeds are the heart of the instrument. The sound of the whole instrument is affected by the reed and its quality. If a reed is too thick or dry, it will not function properly. They key to being a successful oboe player is to have a reed that you are comfortable with; for many people that means a thin reed. Constant moisture and constant fine tuning will help your oboe reed to become more flat.

Things You'll Need

• Oboe reed
• Water
• Hand knife
• Knife sharpener

Instructions

1. Sharpen your hand knife to its sharpest point. It is important that the knife's blade makes only small simple cuts to your reed.

2. Put your knife at the top of the reed and carefully shave off small layers moving towards the bottom of the reed. This process slowly makes the reed thinner and more flat. Do not shave on the edges of the reed.

3. Soak the reed for 15 to 20 minutes. It is important to constantly soak your reed when you are not playing, whether it be in water or in your mouth.

4. Gently squeeze the oboe reed flat using your fingers. Make sure your fingers are damp when you do this, and don't squeeze too hard. Using anything but your fingers will damage the reed.

Tips & Warnings

• Always work gently with your reed to ensure you do not damage it.

References

• Reed Adjustment Guide