MKL Reeds

I just recently ordered my first reeds from your company, and they are exactly what I’ve been looking for. I just cant seem to put my oboe down after I got my reeds. Thank you! I’ll be ordering them again as soon as these wear out, which will be soon considering how much I’ve been playing since I’ve received them.

Kathryn
Lynnville, TN

In my busy schedule working with students and performing I lately have been having trouble working on reed making. Your reeds have been a great blessing for me for last minute performances and practicing. I don’t know what I would be doing if they weren’t there. And I never have to do any extra scraping. I just pull it out and I am confident that it will do exactly what I want it to do. Thanks a heap.

Gerry
Vancouver, WA

Thank you so much for this reed. I do believe it is the best so far. I’ll be thanking you Fri. and Sunday when we play our Christmas concerts. You have enabled me to get my life back and the essence that was always me but missing in action because I ignored my friend the oboe for 35 years!

Heather
Ormand Beach, FL

All I know, is when I have to wake up at 5:45 to make it to early morning band at my high school at 6:50, I can’t wait to pull out my oboe and get my lips on that wonderful MKL reed (which has pink thread on it, I believe). And when the high school Wing Ensemble makes music, I am so thankful that MKL reeds work for me and my resistant oboe.

Lily
Lancaster, MA

I don’t know what I would have done without your reeds!!!

This has been a huge year for me. I got married, started graduate school, and began teaching oboe at Grove City College. I have always been one to take on the world and try to do everything without any help. When I started school in the fall life became so overwhelming. I didn’t have enough time to get everything done or to spend with my new husband. I wasn’t spending as much time making reeds as I should have and my sound suffered.

It got to the point where I didn’t want to play because I didn’t have time to make reeds that sounded great. After much internal debate I decided to *GASP* buy some oboe reeds! I thought they would be average, but at least I would have something. When I got the first reed I quickly soaked it up and started playing. It was wonderfully responsive and the tone was beautiful.

The next day in orchestra I got tons of compliments on my sound. For the first time in a while, I was excited to play again! Now I don’t have to spend hours worrying about making a reed for every gig or rehearsal. I get to spend more time with my husband (so he thanks you too!). I also feel better equipped to teach my students. Life is still busy, but your reeds make it livable!

That might sound a little over dramatic…but as an oboe player you can attest to the power of a great reed!

Thanks for the quality you put into your work!!!

Kristy
New Castle, PA

The once was an helpless oboe teacher,

Whose students called her the “Reed Preacher”.

All they ever heard was, “Buy MKL reeds,
To satisfy all your oboe playing needs.”

Purchased reeds they did,

All 10 of those kids,
And now teacher needs Advil during lessons no longer.

Jill
Alexandria, VA

I am a clarinetist who does a great deal of oboe/English horn doubling. I never learned to make my own reeds and when my reed supplier retired after 20 years of getting reeds from him, I looked around tirelessly for reeds that were as good as or remotely as good as the reeds he made. To my disappointment, and loss of much money, no one had a decent reed. I thought I would have to quit being an oboe/English horn doubler and give up a lot of my hiring power.

Then, I found MKL Reeds. I have been very happy because I got a few more benefits than I had thought I would get. I got a greater percentage of reeds that were dependable, better high register note reliability, reeds with an even better sound than the reeds I had previously used, reeds that couldn’t play out of tune even if you tried really hard and English horn reeds that didn’t leak.

I didn’t have to quit playing the oboe and people noticed the subtle differences in my playing. I would say I was the much better for it, wouldn’t you?

Thank you, everyone at MKL Reeds.

Pat
Bridgeport, CT

Great reeds at a great price! Lots of emails, however…don’t worry! We’re buying from you when we need reeds!

Alexa
Stony Brook, NY

When I was in High School I didn’t know anything about making oboe reeds. I thought that when I went to college to study I would learn everything I needed to know right away and be able to make great oboe reeds. I was so shocked when I realized just how much patience, time, and skill it took just to make a reed that would make a sound! I worked really hard on my reeds everyday just so that I wouldn’t sound like a beginner.

When I started playing principal in orchestra I really started to freak out about my reeds and my playing. When I couldn’t make a reed do the things that I needed it to do, I felt like a bad musician. When I couldn’t make a reed that had a nice tone, I felt ugly. I was desperate for a good reed! I searched and searched the web for a reed site that sounded respectable and reliable. After reading the information on the MKL site I could tell that these oboists knew what they were doing!

I had a really important performance coming up and I needed a good reed something fierce! I ordered a reed from MKL and it really did give me peace of mind! I could play in tune, with great dynamic contrast, it was stable, and best of all it allowed me to make a beautiful sound again!

Brahms went great and I can’t thank you guys enough. Whenever I get in a pinch and just cannot rely on my own reed making skills, it is really nice to know that I can trust someone else to help me out! Thank you SO much for what you do! I can only hope that one day I will be able to make reeds as consistently amazing as you do!

Kristyn
Seminole,TX

As a reed doubler, I will quote (I think) 1940s radio hour (I know there is not an oboe part) by saying MKL reeds “work really great!” (a reference to Servel Refrigerators in the show)

Lisa
Indianapolis, IN

I’ve been an oboist for almost 50 years (!). I’ve made my own reeds and bought reeds, too. I really got a boost with the reeds I purchased from MKL. It had been a little while since I had last played, and most of my reeds were not in good condition. My sister and I, both musicians, had just moved in together and wanted to get a quintet started and play in the local band and orchestra. Quick! Need good reeds! The reeds I received played right away and had a good sound. Really put me on the right track again. The quintet was created, Signature Winds, and we’ve played for more than a year now – actually making some money! Thanks to the reeds – they got me off on the right foot, right away.

Pat
Waynesville, NC

Reeds,reeds,reeds……….how they make an oboist’s world or break an oboist’s world! My private teachers did not neglect me in this essential area of curriculum, I never could produce a reed that sounded good.

Since I have found you, I sweat playing gigs less and have established myself as a good oboe player and great english horn player. You have helped me earn money that has been a a great help to my husband and myself. We are both public school teachers by day and musicians by night.

Thank you for making quality reeds that I can depend on. I have written a poem for MKL reed showing my enthusiasm.

M- Making music
K- Keeping oboist sane
L- Loving their jobs
R- Reed divas
E- Elevating performance quality
E- Excellent craftsmanship
D- Delightful package in the mail
S- Super website

Thanks,

Anne
North Augusta, SC

I have been playing the oboe since fifth grade. I started out on those Fibercane reeds (with little warmth to their tone.) I still could make a sound, and from my teachers, I learned a lot of music. Finally I moved up to wood reeds but they were not very nice to play on and were from a local music store. I was told that every oboe player had their own individual sound, and assumed that mine had already been found. As I progressed, and got into all counties, summer camps and more, however I wanted to get into an orchestra. I was told I had potential, however I needed to work on my resonance and tone.

I needed to be louder, have a controllable vibrato, and stand out. I visited a college in Miami, and upon speaking to Robert Weiner (Eastman student), I was given a list of good oboe sites. I tried MKL’s Reeds and found that my individual sound was changed into a sweeter and gorgeous tone. I enjoyed practicing more, and decided that I was ready to audition for an orchestra.

I tried out for Hochstein’s main orchestra, but sadly didn’t get in. I was told that they liked my sound, and could tell something would develop. As a result I was put into the Philharmonia which was an orchestra at Hochstein, only a step below the one I desired. I worked really hard that year, and decided that I was ready to shoot higher that before, and try out for the RPYO, at Eastman. The audition sounded great and (due to my amazing progression with MKL), I was accepted into the orchestra (where I play with the RPO, and will be traveling to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and more!) I really discovered my individual talent once I started with MKL. I have become so successful!

Siobhan
Leroy N.Y.

In a pinch and going to college,
all I needed was a reed for an audition!
So, try and try as I might, gaining knowledge, making reeds day and night,
Alas, none would do to solve my plight!
And so online I went,
in search of good oboe reeds with not too much money spent.
(After all, scholarships are often quite small!)
MKL came to the rescue, and audition I did.
Well, I won that scholarship and and that’s no fib.
So here I sit, a little less broke with a story to tell about how my MKL reed was soaked…
and played on…
and in the end…
did the trick!

Amanda
Albuquerque, NM

My name is Yunus, I am 17 and a Junior in High School, and have been playing the oboe since 5th grade. The MKL Reeds have not only made my playing sound better but has also boosted my confidence because all my friends say that the oboe sounds so nasally but the MKL Reeds boast a fuller and richer sound. Many people in my orchestra are not that serious when it comes to playing an instrument. But a select few including me and another oboist are very serious. My band instructor has also noticed the improvement and I gave the credit to the MKL Reed that I was using.

Yunus
Chestnut Ridge, NY

I left the cacophony of the concert hall. The band, with its various instruments, was playing a medley of holiday songs for the December concert, but the sounds weren’t pleasing, and they certainly weren’t unique. As I breathed in a stream of cool air, the defined, penetrating notes of the oboe was what cleared my head. I was mesmerized at first sound. After that night, I began playing the oboe, and after one and a half years, I auditioned for the Manhattan School of Music.

I am now playing as the first oboe in Symphony Orchestra. I was first introduced to MKL reeds via my oboe teacher at MSM. I have never been this satisfied with oboe reeds. I can always expect the best of me to come out when performing for orchestra or recital with MKL reeds. There always has to be a great amount of practice involved, but a reed is really the heart of oboe. And MKL Reeds surely brought out the best in me. Thanks!

Jia
Closter, NJ

I began playing an oboe two years ago after taking a 35 year break! I played for two years in a middle school band. So, I was determined that I could re-teach myself to play this instrument. The two years have been ones of blessings and FRUSTRATIONS. I had ONE reed that I loved and could depend on. I played in our church Easter pageant last spring with that reed! I tried using several different kinds of reeds at each practice, but this one reed played best. I knew it wouldn’t last forever and I had better be finding other reeds for replacement.

Before I could locate the ‘perfect reed’, my black lab attempted to jump in my lap while I was practicing on the oboe and caused me to ruin my reed. (No, I didn’t see him coming until too late!) Anyway, at this point in trying to play this instrument, I honestly wonder sometimes if probably it’s NOT the reeds, but ME that is having lots of problems. In searching the internet for suggestions and info, I found your web-site! I ordered two reeds and receive your newsletter. I’m using one of the reeds now to prepare for this year’s Easter pageant, and it’s doing it’s job wonderfully! Now I can tell where the problems I am having are Me because I have a reed that plays and SOUNDS great!

I have a long way to go and everyone has been most patient with me in this learning process. I’m encouraged that at least now I know where I can get dependable reeds without having to purchase so many from different sources just to find they don’t work for me.

Sheila
Bardstown, KY

MKL reeds are vastly amazing. I never want to try anywhere else! A reed should be loved and played on frequently, and that is what MKL has given me. A reed to enjoy for as long as possible. I’ve never had trouble with these fantastic reeds. Thank You!!!

Jana
Augusta, MI

I have been an oboe player since the 9th grade. I played on rented instruments most of my life. I was widowed in 1979 with 4 daughters. My old HS boyfriend, who I had met in band and had never married, came courting. We married and moved to Ohio, leaving my rental behind. I had 2 more babies after 40, bringing our total to 6 beautiful daughters. I had little time for oboe playing, but never forgot how much I loved playing it.

For 17 years I worked for a physician whose office was next door to a music store. The owner attempted to sell me a beautiful Loree oboe for years, but it was too expensive for me to consider. Upon his death in 2001, he bequeathed me this beautiful oboe. I had no idea where I could find reeds of the quality I had been used to playing. I did a Goggle search for reeds and found the MKL web site. I was delighted in the quality of reeds I purchased and am now playing oboe in two local community groups here in Akron, OH area. Needless to say, I am thrilled to be back playing oboe and enjoying the hobby I have always loved. MKL reeds have helped me to bring back the quality of sound I so enjoyed in years past. Thank you MKL !!

Karin
Fairlawn, OH

Thanks for your last Reed Report about not letting fear get in the way. After a long time of not playing, a year with a great teacher, and a lot of getting over a conductor that only smiled at me….after I played first on Beethoven 5. I played nice. I was not anxious, I was not out of breath, I felt like that 30 seconds or so was being played by itself.

Carrie
Seattle, WA