A bassoon reed made in San Francisco performs completely differently in Denver.

How to tame a nine foot woodwind

Chapter 1

How to fold nine feet of maple

Chapter 2

The voice of drama and comedy

Chapter 3

The intense craft of reed making

Chapter 4

The heavy metal giant

YOUR GOAL

Master of How to tame a nine foot woodwind

Ch 3 · The intense craft of reed making
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maestro Bassoonists scrape cane reeds to change their musical tone.

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maestro Bassoon Reed Making

We wrap the cane in wire and thread (wire and thread!) / Then scrape the tip to find the sound (find the sound!)

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A bassoon reed made in San Francisco performs completely differently in Denver.

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maestro Every organic cane reed performs differently for woodwind musicians.

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The science of the scrape

maestro A colorful diagram maps the tip, heart, and channels of a bassoon reed.

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Shaving cane down to the micrometer

maestro A precision blade scrapes a thin strip of cane on a profiling machine.

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The Little Bassoon Box
BETA

maestro Match the bassoon's distinct sounds to discover its special role in the symphony orchestra.

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Fun Fact

Cane aging: Before a bassoonist can carve a reed, the wild cane must be dried and aged for up to two years.

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Glossary
reed (noun)
A thin piece of material that vibrates to produce sound in a woodwind instrument. Bassoon players traditionally source Arundo donax cane from southern France to craft these delicate musical mouthpieces.

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Gossip

Would you ever shave your own instrument reeds?

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Quiz

What holds the two pieces of cane together at the base of a bassoon reed?

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maestro Oboe players shave cane to craft precise musical reeds.

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Quiz

What tool do bassoonists use to scrape and shape the exterior profile of a reed by hand?

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maestro Giant Mediterranean cane grass provides the reeds for orchestral bassoons.

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Quiz

What is the approximate thickness of a bassoon reed's tip after it is fully shaved?

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Quiz

What is the scientific name of the giant grass used to make bassoon reeds?

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Quiz

What must a bassoonist do to a dry reed immediately before playing it?

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Quiz

In which European region is the best reed cane for bassoons traditionally grown?

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Quiz

What is the name of the central, thicker tone-producing area of a bassoon reed?

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Quiz

Why do bassoonists have to constantly adjust their reeds when traveling to different cities?

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