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*****The Reed Report: Issue 42*****
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first to see this important information.

In this issue:

-A Note from Maryn
-The Latest Reed Special Announcement
-The Reed Tip
-Oboe Reed Trivia

Please add “[email protected]” to your whitelist or address book
in your e-mail program, so that you have no trouble receiving
future issues!

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A Note from Maryn
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Man is it hot!

Right now in Chicago, the mercury is flirting with the 80 degree
mark. The thing is, it’s only 8:30 in the morning. We are in
for a scorcher! (Just like yesterday.)

Memorial Day is often the time when oboe reeds start their crazy
summer journey. One day your reeds will feel as dry as the
desert and the next day they will be so “water-logged” you can
hardly play them.

It would be nice if the folks who forecast the weather were right
more than they were wrong… That way we could prepare a little
better for these sudden changes in heat and humidity, but I am
not holding my breath for that one… Last week, when one of our
weather men predicted a “beautiful” day, we ended up getting
pelted with hail!

From one oboe player to another I say, “Just hang in there!”

While your reeds can go nuts in the summer, it is also a time
when you will learn a lot about “making it work” anyway. Don’t
get down on yourself because your reeds go nuts, it’s not your
fault. Just keep playing and taking one day at a time.

There has never been a better time to play the oboe!

Now let’s get to the good stuff…

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The Latest Reed Special
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Oboe reeds are finicky creatures.

Sometimes they need a scrape here or a scrape there…

If you can scrape a reed, then you are in good shape. If not, you
might be forced to give up on a reed that really has a whole lot
of life left in it.

By learning basic reed making skills, you can start to take
control of your oboe reeds and put yourself in the driver’s seat.

Our just released, “Beginner’s Guide to Making Your First Playing
Oboe Reed… in 9 Days or Less” will walk you through everything
you need to know and do to get started on your own reed making
journey.

Even if you are not interested in becoming a top notch reed
maker, learning the basics will help you take your oboe playing
to a new level.

Read more about the guide and preview a sample reed making video
from the book… (high speed internet connection recommended)

http://www.mklreeds.com/9days.htm

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The Reed Tip
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The heat and humidity of summer can really do a number on your
reeds. When a heat wave hits, the humidity can turn your reed
into an unmanageable little piece of wood. All of a sudden, your
greatest reeds get bogged down and become really difficult to
play.

Moving between the heat and air conditioning (especially at
summer camps and music festivals) can throw your reeds for a loop
and keep you guessing which way is up.

While you can’t control the weather, you can control whether or
not you are prepared for the changes that summer brings. Make
sure you have enough reeds in your case so that you are not
caught empty handed when one or two of them decide to give in to
the heat and humidity.

Your reeds WILL go wacky over the summer. Be prepared and don’t
let it get you down…

It’s just part of being an oboist. 🙂

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Oboe Reed Trivia
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Each week we feature a bit of oboe trivia to help keep your oboe
brains sharp. Sometimes the questions are easy, sometimes they
are not so easy.

Each Friday night, all of the correct answers we receive from all
of you are put into a hat and one lucky winner is chosen to
receive a special prize.

Congratulations to last week’s trivia winner, Jerry Tumlin!

Jerry correctly identified the different ways to play an F and
gave each of their names.

Jerry, just let us know via email where you would like your prize
sent.

Here’s this week’s question:

Which material is NOT used to make an oboe?
a.) plastic
b.) pine
c.) grenadilla wood
d.) rosewood

Submit your answers via email to [email protected] by Friday at
5:00PM CST to be included in the drawing.

Good luck!

Thanks for reading. Until next time…

Happy playing,

Maryn Leister
MKL Reeds
[email protected]
http://www.mklreeds.com