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Question: Clarinet Player Seeks Oboe Information!?
I have an opportunity to try a friends oboe which her son played in high school!. I've been playing Bb clarinet for about 20 years, but I don't know a thing about oboes!.

Our local music store is fairly well stocked with band instruments and accessories, and it serves the school districts in our area, so I should be able to buy oboe reeds there!.

What do I ask for!? I suppose there are different strengths, etc!. Is the reed usually stored on the mouthpiece!? Do you wet the reed before playing!? Do you have any tips for getting that first note out!?

I'll be happy for anything you can tell me!. I'm over 60 years old, so I can't ask my band director!. Thanks!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I would recommend that you ask for a plastic reed!. You will find them more consistent than the "ready made" cane reeds!. Oboists normally keep a small "glass" of water at their stands where they soak their reeds!. You should make sure the plastic reed is wet before you play!.!.!. better yet, it won't get too soft from leaving it in the water!.

Cane or plastic, you should get "ready to play" reeds that don't need scraping or shaping!.

If you've not played oboe before, you should ask for a softer reed, maybe not the softest since you are a clarinet player!.

I've shared a couple of links so you can get an idea of pricing!.

Chartier plastic reeds, medium soft for plastic
Fox Renard medium soft for cane reeds!.Www@QuestionHome@Com