THE OBOE REED

The oboe's double reed is a delicate, complex structure. In order for the oboe to have a beautiful sound and play in tune, the reed must “crow” a C in double octaves. “Crowing” is the sound the reed makes when it is completely inside your mouth, your lips are on the thread, and you blow air through the reed. An experienced oboist will know how to clip or scrape different areas of the reed to achieve this double octave C crow. Mass manufactured reeds are generally not refined nor tested by a person before being sold. The oboe reed is vital to the success of the oboist’s playing experience. Hand crafted oboe reeds are always the best choice. As such, I will make reeds for my oboe students until they are taught to make them.

For more information and reviews of various kinds of oboe reeds (hand made and commercial), visit Oboe Reed Reviews.  This is a website started by a casual oboe player that lists all kinds of websites and allows visitors to make comments on reeds.

SUGGESTED REPERTOIRE

For the Beginning Oboist:

• Rubank: Elementary Oboe Method
• Edelfson: Tunes for Oboe Technique, Book 1
• Published by Boosey & Hawkes: First Repertoire Pieces for Oboe
• Douvas: Oboe Classics for the Beginner

For the Intermediate Oboist:

• Rubank: Intermediate Oboe Method
• Schmidt: My First Barret Nieman
• Pares: Daily Exercises and Scales for Oboe
• Edited by J. Arnold: Oboe Solos

For the Advanced Oboist:

• Barret: Oboe Method
• Rothwell: Difficult Passages for Oboe, Vols. 1,2, and 3
• Sellner: Studies for Oboe