My oboe teacher told me I should start getting used to playing on harder reeds. How do I go about doing this? Do I need to use more support and/or more air? Thanks for your help.

Hi Oboegirl. Getting used to a harder reed requires you to strengthen you embouchre. As far as how, practice. Just immediately go into it and don't play on anything soft. If this is too hard, try practicing on a softer reed until your embouchre completely runs out then switch to the harder reed. Also, another way to strengthen your embouchre so you can play on harder reeds is to make your own reeds! Holding whole notes in the high register also helps.

Long tones really help. Try putting your metronome on 80 then holding your low Bb for 20 counts, next your middle Bb for 20 counts, then your top Bb for 20 counts. Next onto your B.. and so on. Slowly (maybe after the 1st week) take the tempo lower to 66 or 64. This may get to be really boring, but you can do other things while doing long tones, like reading a book or studying. But keep in mind that you should always have one eye on your reading and the other on your tuner. Always keep the pitch in tune! It really helps if you have a tuner with lights when doing this exercise.

Ok, thanks! I don't currently have a tuner, but I'm going to get one this weekend. I also am learning to make my own reeds, but I just started so it may be a while untill I know how!

If this is too hard, try practicing on a softer reed until your embouchre completely runs out then switch to the harder reed

Do you mean start the practice session with a softer reed, then whenyou nget tired on that reed during the session, switch to a harder one? That is NOT good advice if hat was what you meant. When doing this for bassoon, I would start on a soft reed, then when attempting to switch to a harder reed, my lips were exhausted! I then tried just starting the session with a hard reed, for it's a lot easier. With reeds, you also need to be prepared for the strength to, which can take many months to make the jump. I think where your eacher reccomended it, just buy stronger reeds, an tough your way through a couple of weeks with the pain, after a while, your embochure will adust. The first couple of times I did this, I couldnt play for long, and my lips would literally give out, so again, just tough it out, it will be worth the enhancement of tone quality, and better high note access with richer lower notes. Good luck!

No, that's not what I meant. I meant you should play an entire practice session on a softer reed until your embouchre runs out, then the next day you should try the harder reed. Sorry for the confusion.

Thats ok! Thanks for the advice!

yeah I'm getting used to harder reeds. I would rather use harder reeds than softer ones because I like that the hard reeds have a darker tone. My teacher has been making some for me and they were a little too hard at first but now I'm getting used to them and I really like how I sound!

That's good. Basically playing lots helps. More playing with reeds builds lip strength. Just takes time.