- 1). Examine the opening of the reed. Sharpness is sometimes caused by a small opening. If you think that this is the cause, soak the reed in warm water. After a few minutes, remove it from the water and gently press the sides with your fingers to try to open up the tip. This is a temporary solution and you may need to repeat it every time you play that particular reed. You can also try to adjust the opening by very gently squeezing the reed towards the back with pliers, but this can distort the reed itself.
- 2). Examine the reed on both sides. Sharpness is sometimes caused by a reed that is too thick. Slip the cork of the reed onto the end of an oboe mandrel and carefully put a plaque between the blades of the reed. Do not force it into the reed. Hold the reed knife with the edge of the blade flat against the reed. Scrape gently, never digging or cutting. Scrape only a little at a time and focus your scraping toward the back of the reed. Removing an extremely small amount of cane can have a major impact on the sound. Be sure to scrape the reed evenly on both sides unless you think that the reed itself has an uneven thickness, in which case, try to make the reed more even.
- 3). Examine the blades of the reed. Sharpness is sometimes caused by misaligned blades. Like a reed that has a small opening, you can slide the blades with your fingers so that the reed is more even. However, you may need to repeat this step whenever you play that particular reed.
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