OU Oboe Studio
Reed Making Class
Systematic, patient, predictable — the craft you can count on.
Let's be honest: for a lot of oboists, reeds are the scariest part of the whole instrument. They don't have to be. In this class you'll learn to make reeds the way a craftsperson does — systematically, patiently, and predictably — so that good reeds become something you can count on rather than something you pray for.
Over the course of your degree you'll work through every stage, from selecting cane to finishing a reed, and get comfortable with the tools that make it all possible. The whole approach is built around a reliable, repeatable method that you can tune to your own playing — the goal is for you to walk out able to make the reeds you need, whenever you need them.
How it works
Classes mix demonstrations, discussion, video, hands-on projects, and plenty of individual feedback. You'll check your progress with benchmark reed-making exams at each stage, and keep a reed journal to track what's working. And you won't be left to figure it out alone — newer reed makers are paired with more experienced students for extra guidance outside of class and lessons. Reed making is a skill you build together.