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*****The Reed Report: Issue 34*****
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Congratulations! As a subscriber, you are one of the
first to see this important information.

In this issue:

* A Lesson Learned: Helping you learn at MY expense.

* Don’t Miss… – We are humbled…

* Reed Tip – Do your reeds need a cleanin’?.

* Quote Corner – Victor Hugo

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Learning My Lesson
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I remember when I first got to music school, I was on the path to
learn how to make the “perfect oboe reed.” I studied all the
reeds of my mentors and past teachers and tried to piece together
all of the tips and secrets that I could get my hands on. My
plan was to combine them into a recipe for the perfect reed.

After all, if anyone knew how to make it, THEY did.

Early on in my time at school, I remember my teacher always
talking about learning to make a reed “for you.” He said that
was just about all that mattered.

At first I didn’t really get (or listen to) what he was saying.

Remember, I was on the quest for THE perfect reed. I had a reed
notebook where I stored all of the wisdom of my teachers and I
knew that it was just a matter of time before I hit the jackpot.

Of course as time went on, the words of my teacher started making
sense.

I kind of chuckle at myself for ever thinking that there was a
“perfect” reed out there to be found.

When I help students learn about reedmaking, I pass on what has
now become MY reed philosophy: “Learn to make a reed for YOU.”

Simply put, “What works for you works for you.”

It really doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing.

Don’t go searching for THE perfect reed, go searching for YOUR
perfect reed.

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Don’t Miss…
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When we launched our TalkBack contest last week and asked all of
you to let us know how we are doing, we were NOT prepared for the
flood of thanks and well wishes that came our way.

I’d just like to say how appreciative and humbled all of us at
MKL Reeds are to hear all of your kindness and support. It means
so much to all of us here that we are helping so many people in
such great ways.

We are sooooo lucky to have great customers like you.

But don’t worry, we won’t let it go to our heads. We’re not
really in this to be famous.

Please accept our sincere thanks and appreciation for all of your
kind words.

If you missed the details about the contest, you can get them all
at the link below:

http://www.mklreeds.com/talkback.htm

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The Reed/Oboe Tip
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If you play the same reed for a while, make sure you take the
time to CLEAN it every now and then. Take a pipe cleaner, insert
it very gently into the bottom of the staple and twist.

You will be surprised at what comes out.

If you are a professional playing your oboe day in and day out,
your reeds probably won’t even last long enough to get dirty, but
just in case, give it a try.

Keeping your reed clean can improve the clarity of your sound and
the response of your reed.

Don’t forget to try it!

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Quote Corner
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“Music expresses that which cannot be put into
words and that which cannot remain silent.”

– Victor Hugo

Thanks for reading. Until next time…

Happy playing,

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