Oboe Reed Making Course
A good reed is essential for every oboist — it affects your tone, articulation, and overall playing comfort. Since every reed ultimately needs to be tailor-made, it’s incredibly valuable to learn how to make reeds that suit your playing style. I offer reed making courses for both beginners and advanced players. Each course consists of four sessions, taught in small groups, ensuring lots of personal attention to each participant’s progress and questions.
Beginner Course
Have you never made a reed before, but would love to learn how? In this four-part course, we walk through the entire process step by step:
1. Tying
In the first session, you’ll learn how to bind the piece of cane to the staple. This is a very important step, as it forms the foundation of the reed. It must be done precisely, otherwise the reed may warp or leak air.
2. Using the reed knife & cutting the scrape
In the second session, we begin working with the reed knife. This tool can be used in different ways: for slicing, chopping, and scraping. It’s important to understand the distinctions. We then cut the spiegel, the part of the reed where the bark is removed.
3. Basic finishing
In the third lesson, we start shaping the reed. The spiegel that we cut in the previous lesson is now refined. The goal is not to make the reed evenly thick, or more accurately, evenly thin: we’re talking hundredths of millimetres! This step has a huge influence on sound and playability.
4. Detailed finishing
The final session focuses on the finer adjustments. This may be the most difficult and also the most important part. We work on balance, flexibility, and finding the tone and response that fit you personally, because how a reed plays is very individual!
Advanced Course
Already have experience making reeds and want to go deeper? Then this course is for you. There are countless approaches — which cane to use, what measurements, how to choose a staple, and how to scrape and finish your reed — every decision matters.
In this course, we’ll examine your current approach and explore how to refine it. We work with intention on tone, response, and ease of playing, tailored to your musical needs.
Practical Info
• Four lessons of approx. 2 hours
• Cost: €200 per person
• Schedule: by arrangement
• Location: Leiden (exact address upon registration)
You’ll need your own materials, such as a reed knife, plaque, binding thread, cane, and staples.
Not sure what tools to use, or wondering whether your materials are suitable? Feel free to contact me, I’m happy to advise!
Questions or ready to sign up?
Just send me a message via the contact form, I look forward to hearing from you!
