UNDERSTANDING THE OBOE REED (2nd Edition)

This book is expensive but worth the money because it’s so detailed and informative, even revelatory! Especially useful was being able to steal a look into other great players reed specifications and the ‘X-ray’ photos of their reed scrapes almost worth more than anything else. It is helping me to reset my reed making. Thank you!

This book is Einstein's Theory Of Relativity adapted for oboe reeds. It is 500+pages long and weighs 3 lbs. Really! My first response when I got it was "If it takes 500 pages to understand oboe reeds, then I will probably never understand them". All kidding aside, you won't find a more comprehensive book on the physics and details of making of reeds and playing the oboe. Yes, I did say "Physics", for example, Chapter 16A, "The Acoustics Of The Reed". Every aspect of reed making and even playing, are examined in detail, from gouger and staple selection to the intricacies of scraping. European or American style? No problem. Lots to read on each. Want to adjust a note? A whole chapter and a chart illustrates where on the reed you should scrape. What do pro oboist's reeds look like? 16 pages of backlit photos of their reeds if part of the book. And it goes on. Comprehensive "Contents" and "Index" makes it easy to find information in this tome. "Understanding the Oboe Reed" is an excellent reference book probably unequaled by any other oboe book available. It's for those serious about playing the "ill wind that no one blows good". One or two gems you find in this encyclopedic mine of knowledge could change your oboe life.