How to Finish & Adjust Bassoon Reed Blanks

for students

Written By Amanda Pierce

Reed finishing is the process of taking a blank from unclipped to refined and playable. Finishing takes place in multiple stages over time and allows you to gradually improve and break in the reed. After the first few steps, you will need to test the reed and make adjustments according to each reed’s playing tendencies.

Tools You Will Need

• Bassoon Holding Mandrel
• 2 Bassoon Arrow Plaques
• 6" Long Nose Pliers
• Diamond Files: Flat, Triangle, Round
• 600 Grit Wet or Dry Sandpaper
• Tip Cutters

DAY ONE: First Scrape

1. Ream reed
2. Soak blank 5–10 minutes
3. Cut to Length (2 1/8 inch) with tip cutters
4. Trim corners (tiniest amount!)
5. File straight across the collar to create a clear line
6. File gently all over reed to smooth
7. Thin the very tip of the reed with knife or file
8. Thin corners with knife or file (be careful, not too much!)
9. Scrape channels
10. Check that the rails taper evenly from collar (thickest) to tip (thinnest)
11. Using the wires, adjust the aperture to your liking
12. Crow the reed
13. Play a few scales or long tones (not too high or low)
14. Adjust wires as needed to get comfortable
15. Let the reed rest

DAY TWO ONWARD: Finishing & Fine Tuning

1. Try these adjustments one at a time, testing the reed after each.
2. If C# and E are flat or if the sound is too buzzy:
3. Check the first wire and tighten if needed
4. Check length of the reed, clip the tip if it is too long
5. Open the aperture by rounding the 1st wire
6. Round the 1st and 2nd wires to round the tube slightly
7. Thin the tip of the reed a bit more with knife, files or sandpaper
8. Check the rails and thin them evenly collar to tip

If the reed is too stuffy or dark:

1. Make the tube more oval (less round) by flattening both wires
2. File or scrape from the collar to the middle of the reed evenly.
3. Gently file down the heart and spine of the reed (very little at a time)

Be patient! Give your reed time to break in and adjust!

reeds reedmaking supplies tools

Amanda J. Pierce