Help Choosing Oboe Reeds
Test-and-Return Guarantee - you can return any reeds for exchange or refund within 7 days. TRY SOMETHING NEW Our shapes vary from about the widest to the narrowest available. If unsure start with medium (M3). For a broader sound try a wider shape. For a more focussed sound try a narrower shape. If you play flat or find some notes dip or wallow in the 2nd octave, try a narrower shape. Standard U-scrape - gives a responsive reed with a clear mellow sound. A thinner gouge creates a more responsive reed and a clearer, more resonant sound. A thick gouge dampens vibrations producing a darker sound and less responsiveness. Playing flat - can't get up to pitch Reeds close up - blades become flat Playing sharp Wanting a darker tone Reeds aren’t responsive enough
Please ensure they are returned in good condition in suitable protective packaging.
NEW BEGINNERS
We recommend you order at least 3 reeds so that you have spares.
Oxford Oboe Reed - a budget value reed for new beginners - free-blowing.
Paris Oboe Reed - a responsive free-blowing reed with an attractive resonant tone for improved sound quality.
IMPROVING PLAYERS (grades 1-4)
We recommend you order at least 3 reeds so that you have spares.
Paris Oboe Reed - a responsive free-blowing reed with an attractive resonant tone, suitable for players who want a well balanced and comfortable reed with good tone.
Regency Oboe Reed - our most popular reed, suitable for many players. A pleasantly responsive reed, more substantial and with a more mellow tone than the Paris Reed.
ADVANCED STUDENT PLAYERS (grades 5-7)
Paris Oboe Reed - a responsive free-blowing reed with an attractive resonant tone, suitable for players who want a well balanced and comfortable reed with good tone.
Regency Oboe Reed- our most popular reed, suitable for many players. A pleasantly responsive reed, more substantial and with a more mellow tone than the Paris Reed.
Reinhart Oboe Reed - a very popular reed with experienced players. The thicker scrape gives a rich dark tone, with more "body", yet with resonance and good response for such a heavyweight reed.
PROFESSIONAL REEDS
All our reeds (except the Oxford Reeds) are suitable for players of all standards up to professional level. We produce a wide range of designs and styles to accommodate the different individual needs of players. You can see all the oboe reeds by clicking here. For further guidance and information please scroll down and continue reading.
If the style isn’t right for you, return them and try something else. See the information below to help you decide. Alternatively, for further help, email us at info@britanniareeds.com or phone us on the number at the top of the page.
Major Features of the reed
Shape
Thick U-scrape - gives a more resistant reed with a much darker tone.
European W scrape - a more open, looser feel for the embouchure.
American W scrape - clear and very responsive and designed for the American embouchure.
Some Examples
2nd octave F / F# / G wobbles, dips, or is wild in pitch
This is caused by too large an internal volume in the reed chamber. What is too large varies depending on the player and the oboe make and model. Try a different reed style with a narrower shape; find your reed style on the chart above and choose a style one or two blocks to the left of it.
The overall size of the reed is too big. It may be too long or too wide. First try a reed style with a narrower shape; find your reed style on the chart above and choose a style one or two blocks to the left of it. This may solve the problem for you and give you a suitable reed.
Sometimes using a narrower reed is not comfortable to the player as the “feel” and response can be different. If you find this is the case, you can instead stay with your original favourite reed style but Special Order them to be tied-on to shorter staples. Normal length is 47mm; if the reed is tied-on to a 46mm staple the pitch will be higher by up to an eighth of a tone; on a 45mm staple pitch will be raised by up to a quarter tone.
For example: “
Most people assume that they need harder reeds but this is rarely true. The problem usually stems from poor breath support causing the player to have to pinch or bite the reed too firmly to make it speak. This problem will get worse if the player moves to harder reeds. Better to try some exercises to improve breath support and loosen the embouchure. See the “Useful Tips” and “Learning Zone” pages on this website for more information.
Playing sharp is more common in hot weather as the higher temperature raises the pitch the instrument plays at. Naturally, you would pull the reed out of the oboe slightly to lower the pitch. If you are always a long way sharp you may need to change the reed style you use. Try a wider shape; find your reed style on the chart above and choose a style one or two blocks to the right of it.
Sometimes in moving to a wider shape players find the pitch stability becomes poor and the reed seems wild and uncontrollable. If this happens, try moving to a harder and wider style - the harder style will be more stable on average.
For example: A player plays on Regency reeds(Medium strength) but plays sharp, so they try the Minster reed (Medium strength) which plays at a lower pitch. However, they find the wider Minster wild and unmanageable, playing sometimes sharp, sometimes flat. They therefore try the Berlin reed (Medium-Soft strength) - a more stable stiffer reed, but at a slightly lower strength.
Generally, the thicker the cane on the reed, the more mellow (dark) the tone of the reed, but the tougher it is to blow. If you want a darker toned reed, have a look at the diagram above and locate you current reed style. Try changing to one which is above your current style in the chart. This will also be a tougher reed to blow so you may also decide to use a slightly softer strength than you currently use.
If you are consistently having this problem with any reed style, it is best to try a more flexible reed. First find your current reed style in the diagram above, and choose a style below your current one. This will give you a more free-blowing reed, and also a more resonant tone.
