What is the American long scrape method of oboe reed making?

The American long scrape method is a reed making technique developed in the tradition of Marcel Tabuteau, the legendary Principal Oboist of the Philadelphia Orchestra who defined the American school of oboe playing in the 20th century. In the American long scrape, cane is scraped along a longer portion of the blade compared to the European short scrape style. This produces reeds with greater tonal flexibility, easier response across all registers, and more dynamic control. The American long scrape is the standard method taught at most conservatories and university music programs in the United States.

How long does it take to learn to make oboe reeds?

Most oboists can make a functional reed within their first few attempts, but developing consistency takes 6 to 12 months of regular practice. The learning curve depends on the quality of instruction, the consistency of your tools and cane, and how frequently you practice. Students who follow a structured, step-by-step method — rather than guessing or copying randomly — typically progress significantly faster. Professional-level consistency, where you can reliably produce reeds that perform at a high level every time, generally takes 2 to 3 years of dedicated practice.

What tools do I need to start making oboe reeds?

The essential tools for oboe reed making are a reed knife, a plaque, a cutting block, a mandrel, thread, and a supply of gouged and shaped cane, and staples. Beginners should start with pre-gouged, pre-shaped cane — this eliminates the need for a gouging machine and shaper, which are expensive and require advanced skill to use correctly. The most important single tool is a quality reed knife that is kept consistently sharp.

What is gouged and shaped cane?

Gouged and shaped cane is oboe cane that has already been processed through two of the most technically demanding stages of reed making — gouging, which thins the inside of the cane to a precise measurement, and shaping, which cuts the cane into the correct tapered outline for an oboe reed. Purchasing pre-gouged and pre-shaped cane allows beginners to focus on learning the scraping and adjustment process without investing in expensive machines.

Why do my oboe reeds play flat?

Reeds that play flat are usually too thick in the heart or back of the reed, too long, or tied too loosely on the staple. The most common fix is carefully removing cane from the sides of the heart to free up vibration. Cutting a small amount from the tip of the reed can also raise the pitch. Flat reeds can also result from cane that is too soft or from a staple that is too long. Systematic troubleshooting — checking one variable at a time — is the fastest way to identify and fix the problem.

Why do my oboe reeds play sharp?

Reeds that play sharp are typically too thin, too short, or have too much cane removed from the tip. A reed that is too open — where the two blades are spread too far apart — will also tend to play sharp. If the reed is too thin overall, it may not be salvageable and a new reed should be started.

What is reed crowing and what should it sound like?

Crowing a reed means placing just the reed, without the oboe, in your mouth and blowing to produce a sound. A well-made reed should crow a pitch centered around C, ideally producing two octaves of C simultaneously... C, and the C one octave above. The relative balance of these two octaves tells an experienced reed maker about the response, resistance, and intonation tendencies of the reed before it is ever played on the instrument.

What is the Marcel Tabuteau tradition in oboe playing?

Marcel Tabuteau was the Principal Oboist of the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1915 to 1954 and is widely considered the father of the American school of oboe playing. His approach emphasized tonal flexibility, musical phrasing, and a singing quality of sound that distinguished American oboe playing from the European tradition. His students, including John de Lancie, Ralph Gomberg, and Robert Bloom, and John Mack, went on to hold principal positions in major American orchestras and teach at leading conservatories, spreading his approach throughout the United States. The American long scrape reed making method is directly connected to this tradition, producing reeds suited to Tabuteau's tonal ideals.

How do I make oboe reeds for high altitude environments?

Playing oboe at high altitudes, above 2,000 meters, presents unique challenges because lower air pressure affects reed response and intonation. Reeds made for sea level tend to play sharp and with less resistance at altitude. Adjustments include using slightly thicker cane, slightly wider shape, leaving more material in the heart of the reed, taking more out of the back, and making the overall scrape slightly shorter than at sea level. Joseph Shalita has performed and taught at altitude in Mexico City — which sits at 2,240 meters — for over 35 years and includes specific high-altitude reed making techniques in his online course.

What is the difference between American and European oboe reed making?

The primary difference is the length and style of the scrape. American reeds use a long scrape, cane is removed along most of the blade length, leaving a thin U-shaped channel. European reeds use a short scrape, cane is removed only from the tip, leaving a thick shoulder of unscraped cane at the base of the blade. American reeds generally produce a warmer, more flexible tone with easier response. European reeds tend to produce a brighter, more penetrating sound with more resistance. Most professional oboists in the United States use the American long scrape method.

Is the Making Oboe Reeds Online Course suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Making Oboe Reeds Online Course by Joseph Shalita is designed for oboists at all levels, from students making their first reed to professional players looking to improve consistency. The course walks through every stage of the process step by step, with detailed video instruction and high-quality images. No prior reed making experience is required. The course covers tools, cane selection, tying, scraping, troubleshooting, and high-altitude adjustments. One-time payment of $47. Lifetime access. No subscription required.

How much does it cost to learn oboe reed making online?

The Making Oboe Reeds Online Course is available for a one-time payment of $47 with lifetime access. There is no subscription or recurring fee. The course includes all video lessons, images, and written instruction. Students also receive email support for reed making questions.