Awesome-N-Amazing Reeds
Stable – reed is NOT flat, crows a C. Flexible – warm, deep and wide range of colors to the sound. Responsive – easily in all octaves
100% handmade and tested by me. American-style professional-level reeds, short V-shaped tip– slightly horizontal– supportive rails and spin with a smooth scrape with a slight distinction between the heart and back. I only sell reeds that I would use in a concert, which means I put great time and effort into every reed, slowly crafting them from start to finish over several sitting and drying periods, to settle the cane.
What I look for in a Reed:
I look for a reed that is responsive, plays well in all the registers and takes different amounts of air.
I personally do not like reeds that have a large opening or that require excessive amounts of air and/or embouchure pressure.
My embouchure:
I play with an open, rounded embouchure (similar to a whistle) which is flexible, able to roll the reed in and out, while applying any needed pressure either with from the corners or the aperture (the soft fleshy part right behind the lips)
The importance of the ... Embouchure/Reed/Air balance:
All three must work together in order to create a focused, in tune, beautiful sound on the oboe.
Often poor reeds create poor habits, such as biting and lack of air support….creating unnecessary struggles.
Embouchure: open/round, allows reed to vibrate
Air: steady air, allows for the reed to vibrate. (understanding the difference between too little or too much air can be found in the crow, 1 crow is the least amount of air the reed will take, 2…3 crows is the most amount of air)
Reed: in tune, responsive, flexible reed allows you not to overwork with your embouchure and air.
Healthy Resistance is the Key to Promoting Healthy Playing Habits:
The reed holds itself and needs just the most delicate interaction with the embouchure and corners to create a beautiful, sweet, deep and rich sound. My reeds promote healthy embouchure/air support habits, with pitch-stability in the high and low register, as well as a healthy resistance. My reeds are built to play and respond well with both great and minimal air pressure. However, a steady consistent stream of air is needed.
The Sensitive Reed: (adjustments)
Reeds are very sensitive! They can change with moisture dry weather, temperature, altitude, and various other factors. These changes can take place over long or short periods of time, and can also take place during the reed journey to you.
Be insured that I am very careful with the reeds I send, if they do not feel 100% on tone quality, responsiveness, pitch, easy of playing, I do not send them out!I always send am email with descriptions and photos of your reeds when I mail them out.
***It is important to understand that this might imply that you adjust the reed when it arrives, so that the reed’s playing characteristics match your personal desires. The reed is not over scraped and there is room for clipping.
***Please feel free to contact me directly. I will help guide you on how to make any reed adjustments. Local clients may come in for reed adjustments.
***Please be aware that a fee is associated with the time I spend teaching you or making the adjustments myself.
the Cane Quality:
All my reeds are made out of high-quality Rigotti cane, which I hand select, gouge and shape. The “Professional” oboe reed uses cane that has a slight “u” shape, to create “tight corners.” The “Advanced Student” oboe reed uses straight oboe cane. I do not use cane that is shaped as a “bridge”, as poor quality cane will create a poor quality opening and many problems in the reed.
"Professional" versus "Advanced Student" Reeds:
The “Professional” oboe reed uses a natural cork oboe staple with cane that is extremely high in quality. The “Advanced Student” oboe reed uses a synthetic cork oboe staple with high quality cane.
Why are my reeds more expensive then other's reeds?
I make every reed as if it was for me! I work on every reed over several days. I believe in working slowly on a reed, scraping cane little by little, wetting and drying the reed so that the cane settles in. I never create a reed in one sitting, which can produce unpredictable reeds. I like to make sure that every reed is a stable reed that I can play on, in the chamber, solo and orchestra setting. My reeds play freely with very little, but always steady air, soft dynamics with a guitarist, and play with a lot of air, as is needed to project in an orchestra.
Shipment of Reeds...
I use corrugated crush-proof mailer boxes. I place the reeds in a special triangular tube to prevent any contact from the tip of the reed with the end of the tube.
(If reeds are placed incorrectly into the tubes, they will break. The end of the reed MUST be inserted FIRMLY into the cap.)
**Please contact me directly BEFORE you mail reeds back to me.
My reeds are guaranteed to have no structural deficiencies.
Please be advised, I do not refund or exchange reeds unless they have a defect in their construction.
Add testimonial description here. Edit and place your own text.
John Doe
Codetic
Reed Review
5/5
