Hi, this is Savannah West and I have played the bassoon for eight years. I'm learning the basics of how to make reeds (since homemade reeds are better in my opinion), but I do not know where to look for these materials. Does anyone know where to find wood reed strips, instrument to rest your double reed on, and other materials that would be relatively cheap? I would greatly appreciate it.

Reed cane can be ordered online from Amazon, Forrests Music, or Charles Double Reed, assuming you don't live near a specialized music store or a double-reed technician. Pretty much everything else you'll need can be found in pretty much any hardware store.

Do you know of any hardware stores that might have them?

How about Ace Hardware? Write a list of the things you'll need. Cross off those you already have (like pliers, for example, unless of course for some reason you don't have pliers). Take the list to the hardware store and specifically ask.

Ok. And do you know how much these items will cost altogether?

Sigh. Go to the store and ask how much each individual thing costs then add them up. You're under no obligation to buy.

Also: 1) Google making bassoon reeds. 2) Go to the library (university library if possible) and try to check out a book on the subject. 3) Ask bassoonists you know. 4) Ask the person who repairs your bassoon.

Amazon is your everything store

Don't buy anything from Amazon you can easily get elsewhere. Especially don't buy from Amazon hardware goods you may have questions about: Any decent real (non-virtual) hardware store will have clerks to who will be happy to give you expert very specific advice even about the tiniest, most insignificant item.