Oboe Reed Care and Maintenance

Oboe reeds are notoriously finicky. And they have annoyingly short lifespans. So whatever we can do to extend their lives and coax them into being cooperative for us is helpful. These are some basic ideas for oboe reed care so that they live full, healthy lives. This is also a good rundown of guidelines to give to new oboe students venturing into the world of reeds. Although, in my experience, new oboists are always going to have to destroy a few reeds quickly before the lessons sink in!

Most of this list does not involve doing something extra to a reed to take care of it. This list is basically a what not to do to a reed so that it can maintain its glory. I’ve also broken down the list into two basic principles: cleanliness and gentleness.

Cleanliness

• Use clean water to soak your reeds. Preferably fresh water every time you use it. The last thing we need is something weird to grow in your reed.
• Use a proper reed case. And by proper I mean one that allows for ventilation so that your reed dries out between uses. See above statement about weird things growing.
• Brush your teeth. If you can do this before every use that would be great, but at least drink some water before playing. Food residue on your reed is likely to start breaking down the reed fibers before their time.
• Don’t wear anything on your lips. No lipstick. No chapstick. They really aren’t comfortable to play in anyway.
• Alchohol or hydrogen peroxide on the reed is fine. Diluted, these are a great way to clean your reed if you are really worried about it or you are passing a reed to someone else. Make sure to rinse the reed thoroughly afterwards and try not to make this a habit. Once or twice in a reed’s life is about all I would do. Those reed fibers are touchy and I don’t want to push my limits.

Gentleness

• Soak your reed the right amount. Not soaking enough means there is a greater chance the reed will crack. Soaking too much will also weaken your reed and make it break down faster. The exact time I soak my reed varies on the weather and the age of the reed, but I tell my beginner students five minutes as a good place for them to start. Generally, soak it longer than a dip and shorter than an hour. You can’t do too much damage in that time frame.
• Keep the reed either in your mouth or in the case. As much as possible, if you aren’t playing the reed, put it back in the case. A reed death caused by a reed sitting out loose somewhere vulnerable to brute force is a tragedy. A reed should either be playing or going back to bed.
• Be aware of your reed whenever moving around with your instrument. There are going to be times you are walking with your instrument and with your reed still in place (hopefully not farther than across the room). Be very conscious of the position of your reed. Hold the instrument upright and close to you so that it can’t get shaved off like a side view mirror. Or better yet, just pop it out of your oboe and in your mouth for the trek.

Some oboe reed care is common sense, but sometimes we don’t anticipate the problems that can come up in reed life. Is there anything you would add? And are you a paranoid or a carefree reed user?

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