Tools for Making Oboe Reeds

Reed-making Equipment. The sound of the oboe is produced by blowing air through the reed, which is fixed at the upper end of the instrument. It consists of a slip of Arundo donax (cane) folded in half, with a small opening at the tip. The wood is scraped thinly so that it will vibrate when blown through. Players must make their own reeds, which they learn how to do during their training. In the 19th century, French oboe makers designed various tools to simplify the reed making process.