How do you care for an oboe and its reeds?

The double reed: how to soak it properly

An oboe reed consists of two very thin blades of cane tied with thread to a small metal tube wrapped in cork. It only vibrates when moist, but too much soaking makes it less responsive and gives it a heavy sound.

1. Fill a small cup with clean water at room temperature.
2. Immerse the reed only up to the thread. Keep the cork dry: it swells when wet and then no longer fits properly in the oboe.
3. Leave it for two or three minutes. Over time, you will learn how long each reed needs; newer reeds usually need a little longer.
4. Shake off the excess water and check that the tip has a narrow, even opening.
5. Blow through the reed on its own before inserting it: it should produce a lively sound (known as a crow) without too much effort.

Many oboists prefer soaking reeds in water rather than in their mouths, because saliva leaves food particles and sugars that dirty the reed and encourage mold. Moistening it in your mouth works in a pinch.

If the reed closes up or opens too far

Reeds react to climate and altitude. They can close up (the tips almost meet and the sound becomes muffled) or open too far (requiring lots of air and becoming hard to control). A reed that worked in Bogotá may behave differently in a warmer region, and vice versa; that is why traveling oboists carry several reeds they have already tested. Do not scrape it with a blade on your own: reed adjustment is a craft you learn with guidance. If the tuner shows that a reed makes you consistently sharp or flat across your range, bring it to your lesson.

How to store and rotate reeds

• When you finish, rinse the reed with clean water and blow gently through the cork end to clear out the water.
• Store it in a ventilated reed case that holds each reed by its tube, with nothing touching the tip.
• In humid weather, let it air-dry before closing the case: a wet reed in an enclosed space is a breeding ground for mold.
• Do not use the plastic tube the reed came in for everyday storage: it does not allow ventilation.
• Do not insert pipe cleaners or other objects through the tip: they distort the opening. If your teacher uses an internal cleaning method, ask them to show you during a lesson.
• Never leave a reed loose in the oboe case or in a pocket: even a slight knock can chip the tip.

Having just one reed is the surest way to end up unable to play right before a rehearsal. Keep two or three in use, or more, and alternate them: each gets a rest, wears out more slowly, and leaves you with a backup. Number them and note in your notebook when you started using each one.

Cleaning your oboe after playing

Water that condenses inside the oboe tends to collect in the small tone holes, especially the octave vents. That is why you should always dry the oboe, even if you have only played for ten minutes.

1. Remove the reed first and put it away.
2. Separate the upper and lower joints with a gentle twist, without pressing the bridge keys that connect them. Then remove the bell.
3. Check that the swab (silk or microfiber) has no knots or loose threads.
4. Gently pull the swab through each joint in the direction your teacher shows you or your oboe's manufacturer specifies. If you feel resistance, don't pull harder: remove it through the end where it went in.
5. If water remains in a tone hole, place ungummed absorbent paper under the pad, press the key gently, and remove the paper. Repeat until it comes out dry.
6. Wipe the keys with a dry cloth and put each part in its place in the case.

If you hear gurgling or a note breaks while you play, there is almost always water in a tone hole. If it happens often at the octave vents, mention it to your teacher: sometimes it depends on how you hold the oboe. Never put needles or pins into these tiny holes.

Wood and temperature: preventing cracks

Cracks develop when your breath quickly warms and moistens the inside of the wood while the outside stays cold. The wood expands unevenly and splits, almost always in the upper joint, which is the thinnest. In Bogotá, this matters: a cold morning, an unheated room, or a bus ride with the case beside the window can leave the oboe icy cold when you open it.

• If the oboe is cold, warm the upper joint between your hands or under your arm for a few minutes before blowing into it.
• When moving from a cold place to a warm one, leave the case closed for a while so the instrument can acclimate.
• Carry the case inside a cover that insulates it from cold and sunlight.
• Never leave it in the car, beside a sunny window, or near a heater.

Many manufacturers and teachers recommend breaking in a new wooden oboe: start with short sessions, gradually lengthen them over the first few weeks, and dry it carefully after each one. Follow your manufacturer's and teacher's instructions. Resin oboes, or those with a lined upper joint, are less prone to cracking. The same principle applies to clarinet care, and we cover regional climates in how to store instruments in Colombia's different climates.

Do not apply oils or other products to the wood yourself. If the technician decides the bore needs treatment, they will do it during servicing.

Assembling an oboe without bending the keys

The oboe has one of the most complex mechanisms in the woodwind family, with bridge keys between the joints and very fine adjustment screws. A slightly bent key is enough to stop a note from sounding.

1. If the cork joints are tight, apply a very small amount of cork grease and wipe your fingers before touching the keys.
2. Attach the bell to the lower joint while pressing the bell key so the connecting parts do not collide.
3. Join the upper and lower joints with a gentle twist and align the bridge keys so they sit one above the other without pressing against each other.
4. Insert the reed last, gently twisting the cork all the way into place.

Do not turn the small screws in the mechanism: they control how the pads close together, and moving them without knowing what you are doing throws the whole oboe out of adjustment.

What you should never do, and when to see a technician

• Blow warm air into a cold oboe.
• Store a wet reed in a sealed tube or leave it in the oboe.
• Swabbing with the reed attached or pulling the swab by force when it gets stuck.
• Turn adjustment screws or bend keys to fix them.
• Wash the body with water or let it dry in the sun.

Take your oboe to a woodwind technician regularly (once a year is a common guideline), or sooner if a low note won't sound, you hear air leaks, you see a thin line in the wood, or a key feels loose. A crack caught early can usually be repaired successfully; if you let it spread, the repair becomes much more expensive.

In your oboe lessons, your teacher checks your reeds and instrument with you as part of your weekly work. If you are still deciding, read why learn clarinet or oboe.

Frequently asked questions