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*****The Reed Report: Issue 31*****
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Congratulations! As a newsletter subscriber, you are one of the
first to see this important information. Read on for the latest
and greatest from MKL Reeds.

In this issue:

*The BUZZ – Only 7 Valentine’s Day Packages Left!!

*Reed “Tip” of the Month – Breaking in a new oboe?

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The BUZZ
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The Valentine’s Day Packages have been flying out the door!

We’ve only got 7 left so if you want one, order it today.

When they’re gone, they’re GONE!

Just a reminder:

The Valentine’s Day Package allows you to get your reeds wrapped
in pink, red and white threads.

PLUS…

Each package includes:

-2 oboe reeds (regular or professional)
-1 heart-shaped gift reed box
-1 Valentine’s liquid sticker

What’s the best part?

You pay for the reeds and you get the rest of the stuff
FREE!

Don’t delay… Again, we only have 7 left.

Click on the link to order now:

http://www.nexternal.com/mklreeds/Product30

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The Reed/Oboe Tip
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This issue’s tip comes from the Reed Guru at our sister site
Oboe:Space (www.oboespace.com). If you have a reed question, you
can have it answered for free by visiting our site at
www.oboespace.com

Q: I used to play the oboe about 10 years ago and am now in a
position to take it up again. I am getting a new oboe and I
understand that they need time to break in.

Is there anything special I need to do during the breaking in
period? I currently live in India so oboe teachers are very few
and far between.

A: Yes, new oboes do need to be broken in.

The time you take to do that depends on how much of a rush you
are in to play it and how conservative of a person you are. I
had a teacher once that advised playing your new oboe no more
than 5 minutes a day to start, increasing each day by only a
minute or two.

Well, my oboe still cracked (which is what the slow breaking in
time is supposed to prevent) so I don’t think there is a magic
answer. I’d say take care with it, always get the top joint warm
under your arm or something before blowing air into it. I do
this on a normal day with an instrument that is a few years old,
so it is even more important on a brand new one.

When you begin to play, start at the bottom of the oboe and work
your way up. In other words, don’t take it out and just start
playing the highest notes you can. Letting the oboe warm up from
the bottom up is supposed to help keep the saliva running all the
way down the oboe, instead of getting stuck in the precious top
joint.

Also, if your oboe will be living somewhere very dry or erratic
with heat or air condition, I would put an orange peel or two in
with the oboe in your case. It smells great and will add
moisture to the wood. Replace them when they look dried out.

Also with a new oboe, be sure to swab or feather out every 15-20
minutes or so. Break the oboe in as slowly as you feel
comfortable doing, but know that sometimes (and very often) they
crack anyway. It’s not really a big deal, usually, and some say
if the wood is destined to crack it will crack no matter what you
do.

Good luck!

Thanks for reading. Until next time…

Happy playing,

Maryn Leister
MKL Reeds
[email protected]
Get Oboe Reeds

P.S.

Still looking for that PERFECT gift for the oboe player in your
life?

Whether young student, amateur or professional, our 52 Oboe Reed
Tips (delivered via email, one per week) are jam-packed with our
very own time-tested tips and secrets for getting more out of
your reeds and your oboe. We’ve selected our 52 most helpful
tidbits, not only about reeds but about oboe playing in general.

Order now:

http://www.nexternal.com/mklreeds/Product26