Oboe Reed Making- Diagnosing The Problem

Have you ever had a persistent problem in your reed making results?  It can be frustrating and maddening.  There are so many variables in reed making that you can find and fix one problem, but it may not be the right problem- and the error lives on.

So, here is my best advice.  

• If you are just starting to learn, or if you are further along with your teacher- keep a notebook.  As you learn each of the steps, keep a record of the protocol.  But, there is an important question to ask your teacher.  What is the consequence of doing this wrong or differently?  Keep a record of this consequence because it can steer you in the right direction when trying to correct a flaw.
• If you are at your wits end with a problem, analyze your protocol from the beginning of the process.  Organized problem solving is critical. Assess and correct protocols in order: including- equipment/tools, cane selection, cane processing, then mounting, and then scrape and finish.  It will not help you to correct scrape and finish when your problem is in the mount.
• Sometimes, the protocols that served you well once, and were taught to you no longer serve you.  I found that scoring the cane on the easel destabilized the alignment of the blade.  I had been doing this for a long time. Many reed makers score, and there are others that do not.  I experimented with marking the center instead of scoring with a razor, and  I solved my problem.  Simple solution, but not obvious at first glance that this was the problem.  Fortunately, it was an early stage flaw to diagnose and correct.

Unfortunately, there are too many different protocols and flaws to list and address on a blog post, but I hope that this information sets you up for success in your diagnoses.

Good luck and Happy Music Making.