Hello and welcome! Today, we’re diving into three valuable tips for enhancing your oboe reeds without ever picking up your reed knife. While honing your knife skills can certainly improve your reed-making abilities, it's not the only route to better reeds. In this post, I’ll share some practical strategies to get the most out of the reeds you already have.
I’m Erin Brophey, Principal Oboist of the Saskatoon Symphony and a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Saskatchewan. My journey with the oboe began in a remote area of Northern Ontario, Canada, surrounded by stunning natural landscapes but lacking oboe resources. Despite falling in love with the instrument in my public school music class, I faced significant challenges due to inadequate information and equipment. Many times, I felt like giving up.
Fast forward 35 years, and I’m now dedicated to performing and teaching the oboe. With the wealth of information available today, I’m eager to share what I’ve learned to make your oboe journey smoother. This is why I created The Oboe Path, a program designed to help oboists play with joy and ease through a group online masterclass, personalized plans, and laser-focused feedback. It provides clarity and immediate results, fitting practice into even the busiest schedules.
Now, let’s explore today’s topic: improving your reeds without resorting to your reed knife. Here are three essential tips to help you make the most of your reeds:
1. Consistent Reed Selection
Develop a consistent method for selecting your reeds. Whether you craft your own or purchase them, establish clear criteria for testing each reed. Instead of choosing reeds based solely on their immediate sound, ensure they meet the specific requirements for your upcoming music. Having a reliable set of criteria will help you understand which reeds work best and why.
2. Long Tone Practice
Incorporate long tones into your daily practice routine. Practising long tones for at least 12 minutes each day (or as much as your schedule allows) strengthens your embouchure and improves your breathing system. This disciplined practice will enhance your reed’s performance and flexibility, making it easier to achieve a beautiful sound.
3. Identify and Address Issues
If a reed isn’t performing as expected—whether it struggles with high notes, low attacks, or tonguing—focus on these specific challenges during your practice sessions. Rather than dwelling on these issues during performances, use your practice time to address and improve them. This targeted approach will help you adapt and get the most out of your reeds.
As a reed maker, I often work with reeds that aren’t perfect. What I’ve learned is to be flexible in my playing so that regardless of the reed, I can still produce a good sound. This adaptability not only helps with performance anxiety but also makes the process of making music more enjoyable. Viewing your reeds as tools rather than obstacles will significantly enhance your oboe experience.
I hope these tips help you create beautiful music in your community. Let’s strive to become the oboists everyone wants to play with, embracing the oboe with joy and ease.
Take care and happy playing!
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