A Beginner’s Guide to Double Reed Adjustments

4th June 2025

Whether you’re just starting on oboe or bassoon, one thing becomes clear quickly: your reed matters. A great reed makes playing enjoyable – a bad one makes it frustrating. We’ve created a beginner’s guide to double reed adjustments to help you get the most out of your reeds. With a few tools and some basic understanding, you can make small adjustments by carefully scraping the cane that have a big impact on your sound and help make your reeds last even longer.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

To begin adjusting your reeds, it helps to have a basic toolkit:

Reed knife – for precise scraping
Plaque – inserted between reed blades to support scraping
Mandrel – holds the reed steady (especially helpful for bassoon reeds)
Fine sandpaper – for subtle smoothing
Pliers (optional) – for adjusting wires if your reed has them

Tip: Work in good lighting and go slowly. Less is more when scraping!

Double Reed Anatomy – Knowing Where to Adjust

Understanding your reed’s anatomy helps you know what to adjust. The main areas to work on are:

Tip – the thin, flexible part; key for response and articulation
Heart – the denser middle section; provides stability and core tone
Back (or throat) – helps control resistance and tuning

Small changes to each area can have big results – so test frequently and adjust in tiny increments.

Tip: Always scrape the reed when it is wet to prevent cracking – use small pot of water to soak reeds prior to working on them or playing.

Common Reed Problems and How to Fix Them

1. Too Hard

If your reed feels too hard to blow, it’s often because the tip is too thick, the blades are too closed, or there’s too much overall resistance. Gently scrape the tip to thin it slightly, and if necessary, open the reed by gently squeezing the sides at the heart to increase the tip opening.

2. Tone is Muffled

When the tone is dull or muffled, it usually indicates the reed is too closed or the scrape is uneven. In this case, try opening the tip slightly and check that both blades are symmetrical. When holding to a light, if one side appears more opaque, lightly scrape this side until it matches the opposite side. You can also lightly thin the tip to improve vibration.

3. Pitch is Flat

When the pitch is too flat, the reed might be too open or the tip might be too long. Try gently closing the tip a little or clip a small amount off the end to shorten the overall length and therefore raise the pitch.

4. Pitch is Sharp

If your reed plays too sharp, it may be because the tip is too thin or the reed is too closed. To lower the pitch, carefully open the tip and consider scraping a bit more from the back or heart to rebalance the reed.

5. Delayed Response

A slow or delayed response often points to a thick tip or an overly heavy heart. You can improve response by thinning the tip in a shallow “U” shape and blending the edges into the heart for better airflow.

6. Unstable Sound

If your tone is unstable or feels wild, this may be caused by uneven blade thickness, an overly open tip, or an excessively thin reed. Check that both blades are balanced and symmetrical, and adjust the opening as needed. You might also reinforce the heart slightly to regain stability.

7. Buzzing or Fuzzy Sound

Finally, buzzing or fuzziness in the sound can result from soft cane or misaligned wires (in the case of bassoon reeds). To clean up the sound, refine the scrape carefully, check for cracks or leaks, and ensure any wires are adjusted evenly and not too loose or tight.

How to Test Your Reed

After making any changes, test your reed carefully:

Crow Test – Blow on the reed alone. A healthy double reed should produce a rich, buzzy crow with multiple overtones
Play Test – Play a few scales or a passage you know well. Listen for improved tone, intonation, and response.

Final Thoughts

Adjusting your own reeds might sound scary at first, but it’s a skill that puts control back in your hands. Whether you’re smoothing the tone, fixing pitch, or easing response – small, thoughtful changes can turn a tricky reed into a great one.

So, remember to keep this beginner’s guide to double reed adjustments close by and in no time perfecting your reeds will become second nature!