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*****The Reed Report: Issue 57*****
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first to see this important information.

In this issue:

-A Note from Maryn
-What’s Happening at MKL Reeds?
-The Reed Tip
-Oboe Reed Trivia

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future issues!

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A Note from Maryn
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Wednesday 1:33 p.m. EST
Batesville, IN

Here’s an interesting quote I came across this week:

“Dependency invites encroachment.”

– Patricia Meyer Spacks

I think this quote fits in perfectly with the launch of the
Reedmakers Network(tm). When you need to buy oboe reeds, you are
essentially dependent on someone else for your oboe happiness.

And sometimes that affects the amount of (or lack of) progress
you are able to make.

Relying on someone else for your oboe happiness surely does
“Invite encroachment,” doesn’t it?

Here’s why:

You become accustomed to the way someone else needs to do
something to have it work for them. In terms of reeds, maybe it
is having to accept that the reeds you buy will always be “sharp”
because they were made by somebody else.

A little freedom is lost every time you get a reed in the mail
and have to change what you are doing to be able to play it.

Whether your goal is to be a pro or whether oboe playing is just
a hobby for you, being independent with reeds allows you to reach
YOUR fullest potential.

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What’s Happening at MKL Reeds
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Not everyone learns the same way…

Over the past week or so, I’ve sent you some emails about a
particular warm-up exercise that is featured in my book, “Does
Practice Make Perfect.”

I thought that, rather than tell you more about the power of that
exercise, I would just show you what it sounds like to give you a
better idea.

You can take a listen by visiting the page below:

http://www.mklreeds.com/practice-warmup.htm

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The Reed/Oboe Tip
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If you are coming back to the oboe after a bit of a break and
your reeds just don’t seem quite right, remember that the oboe
needs A LOT of air.

Try this: just blow more. It sounds almost too simple, but it is
a very important tip that is really easy to forget.

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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, Kevin Poisson!

The modern oboe is a descendant of the shawm.

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

Here’s this week’s question:

What Stravinsky work has an “overloaded” wind instrumentation of
5 flutes (inc. 1 piccolo), 4 oboes, English horn, 3 bassoons and
a contrabassoon?

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