Reed Books

Reed Books
(updated 18 March 2008)

This page has our reed books for Single Reeds, Bassoon, and Oboe.

Notice!

Our server has detected that you do not have Javascript turned on.

Here are instructions for enabling Javascript: Javascript Help.

If you have an old browser, you might consider a new one.
The Mozilla Firefox browser is highly recommended:

If necessary you can navigate using our Site Map.

You may search for any text on this page by using the
Edit menu Find command (shortcut Ctrl+F or Mac Command+F).

Single Reeds

	C679: A Book for the Clarinet Reed-Maker by Ronald V. Vazquez. 1993, PB, 90. pages. Subtitled: An Illustrated Single Reed-Making Manual. This book shows you how to make your own reeds, where to get supplies, and--best of all--how to make reeds in less than half the time it would take you to make them entirely by hand. In addition, once you know how to make your own reeds, you will be able to adjust commercial reeds.	21.95
	C017: Clarinet and Saxophone Reed Adjustments by Vito Platamone Jr. SS, 15 pages. The author studied with Robert Marcellus and Anthony Gigliotti and played in the West Point Band with Larry Combs in the early 1960s. He was the Principal Clarinet of the New Orleans Symphony and is now retired in Arizona. Don't let the slim size of this book fool you. It is a straightforward, well illustrated guide to finding and adjusting clarinet and saxophone reeds. Free book rate (Media Mail) shipping within the United States IF ordered with another book or CD (Except another book with free shipping)	7.95
	C066: Handbook for Making and Adjusting Single Reeds-Revised Edition by Kalmen Opperman, M. Baron Company, Inc., SS, 44 pages. This long awaited book is now back in print. It is intended for those who wish to make reeds or work on commercial reeds for all clarinets and saxophones. Subjects covered are the handmade reed, the commercial reed, cane, the model reed, tools, making the shaped blank from tube cane, cutting the vamp, finishing the reed, adjusting and retouching handmade or commercial reeds and the life of the reed. Appendices include reed scraping suggestions, suggested measurements, the German B-flat clarinet reed, and sources for cane and reed making equipment.	19.95
	C413: Making and Adjusting Clarinet Reeds by Glen H. Bowen. 2000, SS, 38 pages. Glenn H. Bowen is Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This booklet is about making reeds from blanks economically with a minimum of gadgetry. The chapters cover equipment, reed making procedures, and adjustment. A short list of reed making equipment suppliers is included. The author writes about this book ". . . my procedure for making reeds is quite detailed. It uses common tools in logical combinations which will produce reeds easily. In the section of the book dealing with adjustments, there are no mysteries, no double-talk, . . . Straightforward and factual." Free Media Mail shipping on this book to US, IF ordered with another item. (Except other items with free shipping.)	12.95
	C064: Making Clarinet Reeds by Hand by Walter Grabner. ClarinetXpress, 1999, SB, 28 pages. This book is a comprehensive guide to making reeds "from scratch." Subjects include: why learn to make clarinet reeds, reed cane, tube cane vs. blanks, blanks suitable for clarinet reed making, quality of the cane, tools required for reedmaking, response vs. resistance, curing your blanks, measuring the length of the vamp, scoring the blank, removing the bark , the cuts, a model reed, filing, sanding, clipping and adjusting. The book includes nine photos.	19.95
	C038: Perfect A Reed . . . and Beyond by Ben Armato. Reed Wizard, SS, 43 pages. While the author has designed and sells several mechanical devices for measuring and working on reeds, this is a comprehensive book on reeds with only a brief mention of his products. A few of the many topics covered are: reed myths, arundo donax vicissitudes, reed adjustment, reed nomenclature, reed preparation, reed warpage, etc	19.95
	S137: The Saxophone Reed, The Advanced Art of Adjusting Single Reeds by Ray Reed. Infinity Publishing, 2004, PB, 215 pages. Los Angeles based saxophonists, Ray Reed, who started his career in the 1960s and has played with everyone from Stan Kenton, to Supersax, to Frank Zappa has written the longest and most detailed book on making and adjusting reeds we have ever seen. It covers nearly every conceivable topic in the single reed making universe. While this book is aimed at saxophonists, and includes many appropriate measurements, clarinetists will find much of value here as well.	34.95
	C041: Selection, Adjustment, and Care of Single Reeds by Larry Guy. Rivernote Press, SB, 57 pages. A practical and well illustrated guide to clarinet and saxophone reeds. This book presents detailed instructions for selecting and adjusting reeds in an easily understood manner. It also includes a guide to the selection, care and use of reed tools (knives, sharpening stones, sandpaper, reed rush, etc.).	14.95
	C373: The Single Reed Adjustment Manual by Fred Ormand. Amilcare Publications, 2000, SB, 84 pages. A comprehensive guide to the adjustment of single reeds. Includes the subjects of reed design, reed tools, care of the reed knife, selecting the reed, preparing the reed, balancing the reed, working on spots, clipping, breaking-in, using and storing reeds, reed analysis, equipment (mouthpiece, ligature, and clarinet), location (altitude, humidity, and temperature), and hints when "Nothing Else Works."	19.95
	Video DVD009: Working the Single Reed by David Bourque. BCL Enterprises, 2005, DVD. This DVD by David Bourque, a member of the Toronto Symphony for more than 20 years, is a "how to" video for adjusting commercial reeds. It will help you: fix unresponsive reeds, make more reeds play well, learn how to scrape a reed, learn where to scrape a reed. have more reed stability, no more waterlogged reeds, and adjust the Légère reed.	29.95

Bassoon Reeds

B15: Bassoon Reed-making A Basic Technique by Christopher Weait. McGinnis & Marx, Third Edition, 2000, SS, 34 pages. An excellent book on the basic techniques of reed making featuring sharp photographs and clear diagrams. Subjects covered include preparation, tools and equipment, assembling the reed, finishing, tuning and adjustment techniques, and solving reed problems.
15.95

B02: The Bassoon Reed Manual - Lou Skinner's Theories and Techniques by James R. McKay, Contributing Authors Russell Hinkle and William Woodward. Indiana University Press, Bloomington IN, 2000, PB, 116 pages. This is a very attractive book, well illustrated with photos (including color plates of reeds) and diagrams. Chapters include theoretical principles and concepts, essential tools for reed making, the straight taper reed, the tip taper reed, variation to the tube, variations to the gouge and the inside of the blades and tubes, variations to the outside of the blades, special reeds and processes, a comparison of Mechler and Knochenhauer reeds, and the contrabassoon reed.
35.95

B12: The Illustrated Bassoon Reed Handbook by Laine Bryce. Laine Bryce School of Music, SS, 12 pages. This book is a brief but well illustrated introduction to the fundamentals of reed making technique. This book is intended as a guide to accompany reed making lessons and is not intended to replace the teacher. It servers as a reference to the steps required for a student to make reeds independently. A page on reed adjustments is also included..
9.95

Oboe Reeds

Ob009: The Oboe Reed Book by Jay Light. Des Moines, IA, 1983, SB, 117 pages. Detailed and well illustrated instructions in the reed making art. The chapters are Some Philosophy, A Whole Lot of Useful Information About Tools, Cane and Other Supplies, Knife Sharpening, Tying the Blank, Knife Technique, the Scrape, Shaping Your Own Cane When and How, Some Thoughts About English Horn Reeds, Trouble-Shooting Chart, and List of Dealers and Supplies.
18.95

Ob015: The Reed Maker's Manual by David B. Weber and Ferald B. Capps. 1990, SB, 134 pages. A detailed and well illustrated manual of oboe and English horn reed making. Covers: supplies, basic techniques, preparing and gouging the cane, and scraping the reed. Includes a table of measurements and photographs made by the author and by several very famous oboe players.. We are sorry but this book isn't currently available (the publisher said the printer had a fire.)
49.95

Video
OV01: The Reed Maker's Video by David B. Weber and Ferald B. Capps. VHS-NTSC format (for use in US and Canada only). A two-hour supplement to the manual. With this method, the beginner can start making reeds right away, and the professional can expand his techniques and insights.
24.95

Ob015a: The Reed Maker's Manual and Video Set by David B. Weber and Ferald B. Capps. The book and video listed above as a set. We are sorry this set isn't currently available
64.95

Bindings: HB: Hard Bound, PB: Perfect Bound (paperback with square spine), SS: Saddle Stitch (paper, folded and stapled), SB: Spiral Bound (plastic or metal comb or spiral)

	B15: Bassoon Reed-making A Basic Technique by Christopher Weait. McGinnis & Marx, Third Edition, 2000, SS, 34 pages. An excellent book on the basic techniques of reed making featuring sharp photographs and clear diagrams. Subjects covered include preparation, tools and equipment, assembling the reed, finishing, tuning and adjustment techniques, and solving reed problems.	15.95
	B02: The Bassoon Reed Manual - Lou Skinner's Theories and Techniques by James R. McKay, Contributing Authors Russell Hinkle and William Woodward. Indiana University Press, Bloomington IN, 2000, PB, 116 pages. This is a very attractive book, well illustrated with photos (including color plates of reeds) and diagrams. Chapters include theoretical principles and concepts, essential tools for reed making, the straight taper reed, the tip taper reed, variation to the tube, variations to the gouge and the inside of the blades and tubes, variations to the outside of the blades, special reeds and processes, a comparison of Mechler and Knochenhauer reeds, and the contrabassoon reed.	35.95
	B12: The Illustrated Bassoon Reed Handbook by Laine Bryce. Laine Bryce School of Music, SS, 12 pages. This book is a brief but well illustrated introduction to the fundamentals of reed making technique. This book is intended as a guide to accompany reed making lessons and is not intended to replace the teacher. It servers as a reference to the steps required for a student to make reeds independently. A page on reed adjustments is also included..	9.95

	Ob009: The Oboe Reed Book by Jay Light. Des Moines, IA, 1983, SB, 117 pages. Detailed and well illustrated instructions in the reed making art. The chapters are Some Philosophy, A Whole Lot of Useful Information About Tools, Cane and Other Supplies, Knife Sharpening, Tying the Blank, Knife Technique, the Scrape, Shaping Your Own Cane When and How, Some Thoughts About English Horn Reeds, Trouble-Shooting Chart, and List of Dealers and Supplies.	18.95
	Ob015: The Reed Maker's Manual by David B. Weber and Ferald B. Capps. 1990, SB, 134 pages. A detailed and well illustrated manual of oboe and English horn reed making. Covers: supplies, basic techniques, preparing and gouging the cane, and scraping the reed. Includes a table of measurements and photographs made by the author and by several very famous oboe players.. We are sorry but this book isn't currently available (the publisher said the printer had a fire.)	49.95
	Video OV01: The Reed Maker's Video by David B. Weber and Ferald B. Capps. VHS-NTSC format (for use in US and Canada only). A two-hour supplement to the manual. With this method, the beginner can start making reeds right away, and the professional can expand his techniques and insights.	24.95
	Ob015a: The Reed Maker's Manual and Video Set by David B. Weber and Ferald B. Capps. The book and video listed above as a set. We are sorry this set isn't currently available	64.95