r/oboe • u/Budgiejen • 4d ago

Re-starting (again)

So I don’t have an opportunity to play oboe that often. It’s been almost 2 years since I played last.

Regarding the reeds- should I soak them a lot first? Do I need to get new ones again? One has never been played. I’m like, forgetting what I need to do.

Thanks from a flustered friend.

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u/GreatShamu 4d ago

Oboe reeds don’t really go bad, so you can just soak them as you normally would before playing (a couple minutes in warm water if you can get it). I’m currently playing a set of reeds that are about 13 years old after a LOONG time off and they play just fine.

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u/MotherAthlete2998 4d ago

Unless you are in a really dry climate or high altitude, your reeds should not need a long dip. Perhaps 1 minute or so. Just remember you only want the cane part to get wet and not the cork. Ease into your playing. We sound bad at first until our muscle memory kicks in. Laugh a lot and enjoy the sounds we make!!

Good luck!

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u/Budgiejen 4d ago

I’ve been playing saxophone mostly. I play in concert bands that don’t really want an oboe. But there are a couple of good oboe parts that I wanna play!

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u/MotherAthlete2998 4d ago

Oh well then you should pick things up quickly! Remind yourself to let the reed vibrate in your lips otherwise you get a choked sound. That label of hard, medium, soft, have to do with resistance you feel when blowing against the reed. There is no industry standard. Guide the reed and don’t let it play you.

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u/RossGougeJoshua2 4d ago

This is fascinating, as most of them I've encountered are desperate for a competent oboe. Unless you mean they already have two and don't want another which is sensible.

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u/ThrowMeASemla 3d ago

I went back with new but 7 years old reeds.not an issue :)