Learn About Oboe Gear
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Buy the Best One You Can Afford
After the oboe, the reeds and the music you think would think that you have purchased everything you need, WRONG. There are so many more things an oboist needs ranging from plaques and feathers to gouging machines and tube cane. Here I suggest the places where I, other professionals and serious amateurs like to shop and the gear that represents the best value in terms of both need and price. My motto, "buy the best one you can afford".
Great Places to Shop for Oboe Gear
It's true, you can judge a player by his gear. What does he own? How many does he have? Where did he get that? Who else is using that? So-and-so in the such-and-such orchestra is using this brand.
Caveat: Expensive gear doesn't make you play better, but be sure, pros don't use junk.
Kidding aside, the gear is key. Most of these shops sell gear that they themselves use or have used. Stay away from reedmaking kits. Find out what the exchange policy is. Do your homework. Even small items can cost big bucks. My friend, and a great oboist, once told me this, "We are not rich enough to afford the cheap one."
- Jeanné, Inc.
- Jeanné, Inc.
- WEBER REEDS
- WEBER REEDS: Documents, Accessories Books, Music, Videos, Cane, Compact Discs Instruments and Bells. Reed Cases, Reed Making Equip., Reeds Services Supplies Oboe, English horn
- Double Reed Specialist: Oboe Reeds,Bassoon Reeds,Double Reed Supplies
- The best choice for all your double reed supplies, English horn reeds - bassoon reeds - and oboe reeds. All the tools needed for your double reed needs.
- Woodwind and Brasswind - Largest provider of Band Instruments (woodwind, brass, string and percussion) at guaranteed low prices.
- shop here for oboes and accessories
Gear in Stages: Stage One
Even a Beginner Can't Be Caught without these Items
At each step of the way and as you progress you will need more and more gear.
- a decent silk or cotton swab. No pipe cleaners.
- a container to wet reeds----nalgene bottles work well
- a pencil
- a chromatic tuner
- a metronome
- a professional reed case, not the plastic cases that are used to ship the reeds.
- cork grease or Vaseline. For a full range of options click here.
- a toothbrush and toothpaste. I hate seeing people gum up their instruments with doughnuts and coke or any other edibles.
- a proper music stand
- consider instrument insurance, usually replacement value
- a straight back chair for a good seated posture
- a full-length mirror to watch you posture, embouchure and hand position
- fingering chart
Chromatic Tuners
Chromatic tuners come in many sizes with many features. Many features are standard on all tuners and here are a few of the things that are important or essential to me:
- the tuner picks up the sound of the oboe
- the tuner has a needle rather than lights only to indicate the pitch
- the tuner emits all 12 chromatic notes for about a 3-4 octave range
- the tuner can be calibrated to different tunings
- the tuner has an automatic off switch; the tuner shuts off automatically after you have stopped using it
- the tuner has an input jack so that you may hear yourself while warming-up in the orchestra
- it doesn't matter if the tuner has a metronome or not
- I like Seiko and Korg.
- the tuner has fast and slow speeds
Gear Stage Two
- A Reed making knife. These knives range for $25-105 or more. I suggest that you start with one of the less expensive double-hollow ground knives. See links for knives.
- A sharpening stone.
- A chopping block.
- A hobby knife to clip the reed shorter.
- A work area with a bright light source.
- A mandrel.
- A book on sharpening knives, or a book that contains directions on knife sharpening. See list of books.
- A book on reedmaking. It is difficult to learn from a book but Jay Light's and David Weber's books are about the next best thing to a teacher and are good reference books for those with teachers.
- A peg to rest you oboe while you rest your lips or make reeds.
Recommended Books on Oboe Reed Making/Knife Sharpening
Reed Knives
The knife is the cornerstone of good reedmaking. Put your money here. For more information on reed knives and sharpening click here.
- Charles Double Reed Company
- reed knives
- David Schast Reed Service & Supply: Philadelphia (Herder) Reed Knife
- a lot of pros prefer this knife
- knifes
- Reeds'n Stuff-find German-made double hollow ground knife
- Jende Industries
- Yes, some people spend this much on a knife; they think it's worth it.
- Reed Knife, Herder Style (Germany) [RKN-008] - $29.95 : WEBER REEDS
- WEBER REEDS Reed Knife, Herder Style (Germany) [RKN-008] - Double hollow ground knife with a hardwood handle. This German-made knife is an excellent, easy to s ...
- Midwest Musical Imports. Oboes, English Horns
- Oboe and bassoon specialists since 1983. We sell double reed accessories to fit every need. New and used oboes, bassoons, English horns, oboes d'amore available. Makes include Loree, Fox, Renard, Fossati, Patricola, Howarth, Cabart.
- Edmund Nielsen Woodwinds - Philadelphia (Herder) knife
- Original Herder (Philadelphia), double hollow ground with wooden handle. Price includes sewn leather sheath.
Gear Stage Three
At this point you will be looking at more reedmaking equipment if you go in this direction, and/or some custom luxuries.
- adjustable thumbrest
- hand-held micrometer
- dial indicator or thickness gague
- Additional sharpening stones or sticks. You may want diamond, Hard Arkansas, a sharpening steel, or ceramics stones or sticks. This will depend on your method. To get a sharp knife you really need three levels of grit and polish.
- A larger, fancier reed case.
- a spring catch
- key oil- don't just use any old oil you may have laying about the house or garage
- a book on oboe adjustment
- more reed making tools, enough to get started scraping your own blanks.
- several oboe CDs
- This is my pick for a stand light.
Books on the Metronome
Possible Thumbrests on eBay
Humidifier-This is the Time of Year You Can't Ignore the Low Humidity!!!
A. Laubin of NY says to humidify the room not the case. Don't let your instrument dry out!!!
Do you Own These Yet? You May Wish that You Did
- keyoil.html
- KEY OIL: Look at these specifications for this synthetic aerospace key oil: temperature range -85 to +300 degrees, superior film strength, advanced
anti-corrosion additives, advanced anti-rust additives, low oxidation potential, no residue on evaporation, little viscosity cha - reeds.html
- REEDLIFE: is a fantastic reed product used by many professional musicians. ReedLife is a specially formulated solution that cleanses and sanitizes natural cane reeds, keeps them supple, and extends their useful playing life.
- Oboe, English Horn & Bassoon Swabs from Forrests Music
- Loree cotton swab
- Oboe Reeds :: Bassoon Reeds :: Guaranteed Reeds
- Good Tone Guild Oboe Bassoon Double Reeds
- Reed Vitalizer
- Humidify your reeds
Additional Resources
- BDRP Double Reed Suppliers - A-Z - A Service of Brian's Double Reed Page
- Free Online Lined Writing Paper PDF Generator
- Print your own staff paper
- Oboe - Cheap Woodwind
- Compilation of international eBay listings. Peruse and enjoy the variety and selection. Maybe there will be something for you.
Extras
- Reed Vitalizer
- Better control of the reed's humidity. Works for oboe.
- Nota® Standard Chair | Wenger Corporation
- Nota® Standard Chair -
The design of the Nota chair is based on years of customer research and consultation with medical experts regarding posture principles and key ergonomic issues related to chairs and seating positions.
Based on this input and supported by scientific testing, the Nota chair was designed and engineered for optimal comfort, flexibility and proper body support. No other chair promotes easier breathing and freedom of movement or accommodates such a wide variety of seating positions, body types and musical styles.
Gear Stage IV
- The MusicPad Pro from FreeHand Music.com.
Frills?
- Bili Inc - Home
- "Foottime Page Turner by Bili Inc..
Page/Score Turner (2-button pedal):
Turn music score by foot (no more interruption), help share scores projected on big screen and go digital. - Nota® Premier Chair | Wenger Corporation
- Nota® Premier Chair -
The design of the Premier Nota chair is based on years of customer research and consultation with medical experts regarding posture principles and key ergonomic issues related to chairs and seating positions.
Based on this input and supported by scientific testing, the Nota Premier chair was designed and engineered for optimal comfort, flexibility and proper body support. No other chair promotes easier breathing and freedom of movement or accommodates such a wide variety of seating positions, body types and musical styles.
And, as with all Wenger products, the quality construction and long life of the Nota Premier chair delivers unmatched value for your investment.
by annoboe
Ann Rosandich is an experienced professional oboe performer, teacher and reedmaker. She was appointed solo English horn of the New Mexico Symphony... more »
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