Buy Baroque oboe reeds &
Reed-making

No, modern oboe reeds would not work in a Baroque oboe. Good Baroque reeds are trickier to find off the shelf for many reasons including the fact that there is less standardisation!

Contact me to begin the process. We'll have a detailed discussion about your specific requirements, your instrument, and your playing needs.

Costs vary depending on several factors including the type of instrument, level of reed adjustment required, your location, number of reeds ordered, urgency of the order, and whether you return staples for reuse.

Before learning to make reeds from scratch, I recommend learning how to adjust purchased reeds to your preferences. I can make reeds that are ready for you to adjust and provide private lessons to help you develop this skill. Some players enjoy making their own reeds completely from scratch. However, since Baroque reeds can often last longer than modern reeds, learning to make your own is often not worthwhile for amateur players.

I occasionally offer reed making or adjusting workshops. If you're interested in such a workshop, please subscribe to my "Reed Workshop" mailing list on this page, and I'll notify you when I plan such events.

Reeds are made to order to fit your instrument and any requests. They are made when I am free to make them - between concert work and teaching. You will need to plan your reed orders allowing at least 2 weeks until you need them, and I will let you know at the time of ordering how long they are likely to take. This might be anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. Also allow 3 or 4 days for shipping.

I am aware that occasionally players need reeds in an emergency - I might be able to help (Contact me). Rush orders will usually involve a small extra charge as I will be adjusting other planned activities.

Keep them. - They can usually be re-used and will save you some money!

Oboe reeds are very delicate and thin. Reeds can easily crack with even slight trauma such as snagging on your clothing, dropping the reed, or by striking it on your teeth. Reeds also need to be properly stored and cared for. Reeds might typically last anything from just one session (a bad reed day) to several months - perhaps 20 hours of playing. Lifespan varies greatly depending on playing frequency, care, and individual playing style.

If stored properly and not used after construction, reeds can last a long time.

I have primarily made reeds for amateur, professional and student Baroque oboists in the UK, but I may be able to help international customers. If you are struggling to locate suitable reeds I would be happy to advise on possible sources, or might be willing to make them for you. You might also want to reach out to a local music school or university that has a teacher in Baroque oboe.

Finding the right reeds can be challenging, as each player's embouchure and musical needs are unique. While I craft each reed with care, they may not always be the perfect match for every player.

I'm committed to working with you to achieve the best possible results. After trying a few reeds, we can often identify adjustments or modifications that will better suit your playing style. I'm happy to provide guidance on techniques and adjustments that may help.

However, due to the handcrafted and personalized nature of reed making, I am unable to accept returns. If, after working together, the reeds still don't meet your needs, I'm glad to recommend other reed makers who might be a better fit for your particular requirements.

I encourage new customers to start with a very small order to help us both understand what works best for your playing before committing to larger quantities. Occasionally it might be possible to return some reeds if they are completely unused and if they might be suitable to adjust for another player, but this is not guaranteed.