Oboe Reed Hacks
Newer reeds tend to be flatter and more responsive, older reeds tend to be sharper and less responsive.
**Rotate reeds and include new ones regularly to develop the most strong, flexible embouchure**
Soaking reeds longer in hotter water opens them, lowers the pitch, and strengthens them. If the reed becomes too hard, soak for less time in cooler water the next time. If a reed is over-soaked, squishing the back can make it more playable.
Squishing the back of a reed closed tends to raise the pitch, make it easier and more stable, and softer.
If the reed opening is larger then likely:
•It will be flatter
•It will be louder
•It will be harder
•the low register will be easier and the high register will be harder
If the reed opening is smaller then likely:
•It will be sharper
•It will be softer
•It will be easier
•the high register will be easier and the low register will be harder
If the reed is stiffer then likely:
•It will be sharper
•the low register will be harder to respond
If the reed is looser then likely:
•It will be flatter
•The high register will be hard to respond/be in tune