Changes in Cooper Wright Reeds over the past years.
Monday May 25 2009
Let me also spell out a few changes that have occurred over the past several years:
- Oboes oboes oboes! After much switching of oboes, I have finally settled on one oboe that I will probably be playing until the day of my death. Originally starting out with my plastic top joint Royal, I moved to a Loree DM model, and then again to a Loree CI model. Last summer I purchased a Howarth XL, before finally being offered a Hiniker oboe this December by my good friend Peter Hurd. I’ve since settled on the Hiniker, which plays much like a Loree AK model (except it’s slightly thicker, smoother, and more even overall). The result has been that not only do my own reeds fit better for all of you AK players, but my reeds have settled into a more consistent mold.
- One shape is good enough! Currently, I own more shapes than I know what to do with, and for quite a while, I was dallying with pretty much all of them. I eventually began settling on the Weber 1-C, which seemed to work best for my Loree CI series. The bigger bore of the older Loree required a smaller reed and I could get away with playing on very small openings yet producing a large tone. Ever since switching to the Hiniker, I have not been able to do so, and this forced me to bump up to an original Brannen XN shape which I bought recently. The result has been larger openings, deeper and darker tone, and overall more flexibility. I still can make reeds on the Weber 1-C, but nowadays I make 90% of my reeds on the Brannen XN.
- Stevens Staples do the trick! Like my dallying with tips, gouges, and oboes, I was using many different staples as well, including Weber, Rigotti, and Chudnow. Recently, Mr. Weber himself moved to using Stevens Pro #2 staples 46.5mm for all of his reeds, so I followed in suit. I’ve been very pleased with the quality and consistency of Stevens Staples #2, and have been buying them up by the hundreds. Again, these consistent staples have helped my reeds to become consistent as well.
FInishing up the tidbits, moving on…
Monday May 25 2009
I’m finishing up my school year, and am down to playing on one recital, and one “pops concert” left. This past week we did Mahler “Symphony 1”, and Maslanka’s “A Child’s Garden of Dreams”, both of which had quite a good amount of oboe stuff. I was relatively pleased with my playing on both of them, although I know when I listen to the playback there will be some things that I’ll cringe at.
I really have no more classes or finals, so other than attending a few token things, I’m pretty much done. Commencement is June 13th, and upon the wishes of my parents, I will indeed walk. Meanwhile I’m just catching up with all of my reed orders, and have about 8 left before I’m pretty much caught up.
Looking over my records, I noticed I have lost some clients over the past year and half. I recently ordered some of my competition’s reeds to see what else is still on the market and am convinced that my reeds are the finest on the market. I’m determined to win back some clientele, so if you have moved on to greener fields recently, I encourage you to try my reeds again. Besides, my reeds are always unconditionally refundable within a week of receiving them. I’ll even refund the shipping!
I’ve figured out how to upload audio clips to my website, although there are some odd flaws in my website. I was able to upload movements 1 and 2 of the Saint Saens sonata, but when I went to upload the 3rd, it said I have a MIME… error. So, I need to contact my website designer and see what’s up.
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