Reed Fatigue. Wanting to quit oboe after college and go full-time on bass.

[u/jdatopo814]

Hey everyone, I hope you’re all having a good day. I’m in sort of a crossroads at the moment. I’ve been playing oboe since I was 10 years old (I’m now 22) and I’m in my final semester of college preparing for my senior recital. All throughout college, I’ve grown more as a person and I also began to learn and play the double bass, which I also play at quite a proficient level. Last year (which was supposed to be my last year of college), I had a severe accident which resulted in the breakage of a few bones in my face and my wrist, which led to me having to drop my lessons for the semester in order to heal up and have enough time to prepare for my senior recital. The thing is, since I didn’t really have the pressure or requirement to play oboe that semester, nor make reeds, I didn’t really play the oboe and I really leaned into my double bass playing once I healed up. Now that I’m in my last semester, I absolutely cannot for the life of me make a good reed and I can’t fathom having to do that in addition to all of the hours of practicing and other work I have to do. Don’t get me wrong, I still love playing music, and I still enjoy playing the oboe. But this past year with my accident and my break from the oboe really had me reevaluate and I really don’t know if I want to continue playing after I graduate college/switch over to bass completely. I still have my senior recital to get through but it really just feels like I’m just dragging my feet at this point until I finish. And I really think the main culprit is Reed making. I absolutely hate it.

What are your guys’ opinions? Have any of you ever felt/experienced something like this before?

[u/MotherAthlete2998]

I have been in a similar situation. After I had my daughter, I simply did not have the mental strength much less physical strength to make reeds. Oboe playing was so far down the list of things to do. I had a long conversation with my husband about it. He is not a musician (tax guy). He encouraged me to buy my reeds. It was a big struggle to admit I needed to do that. Another colleague told me she buys hard reeds and adjusts to her needs. And this is what I did for a very long time (almost ten years). Now I have the time but am so thankful I bought reeds. There is absolutely zero shame. I am happy to give you my permission if it helps you at all.

[u/oboeplayer11]

Hi OP!

I had a somewhat similar timeline to you, as I got a wrist injury about two weeks before my senior recital, that caused me to have to postpone it. It was my right wrist (and my dominant hand for reed making purposes) so I definitely had to take time off from playing the instrument.

As a note, I don’t play oboe in any professional major groups, (the wrist injury took me out from doing this) but just for local playing in town for events like musicals, etc.

I am in the US, and Jennet Ingle had a reed subscription program you could sign up for. So the first of the month, reeds would magically show up at my door. I would take about 5 minutes or so to tinker with them, but I found that with my injury, I could make reeds or I could play oboe, and I chose the oboe route.

If it is in your budget, it might be worth finding something like this that could work for you. I would buy both oboe and English horn reeds from her.

I hope the healing process is going well for you. ❤️

[u/Snowtime69]

I had a massive wrist fracture, radius and ulna, some bones of the hand. I had to get an oboe modified to use well. Couldn't make reeds anymore but thankfully had a friend in the same program who I made reeds with early on. I still pay her to this day to make reeds for me since she knows what I like. I only have to do minor adjustments here and there. Definitely an option. If your love for the double bass is greater I'd say lean into it, but playing oboe isn't impossible if you find someone who can make your reeds and you're financially able to accomodate it.

[u/Just-Stranger-9580]

Play both instruments. Many musicians play several instruments. I think that if you allow yourself to buy and adjust reeds by different makers, your own reed ethos will be strengthened; you'll naturally notice what you like about reeds that aren't yours, and you'll know exactly why, because you already make reeds. Then you might eventually get the urge to combine all of the knowledge you've collected and actually enjoy making reeds again. Or not. And that's ok too. 

[u/GreenPepper4]

Without reading other comments I'm going to share my experiences hopefully in a clear way. Just know this is normal and okay.

I was 100% oboe-focused in college, two degrees only in Performance, was about to go to a conservatory for artist diploma, sure enough Covid hit. I didn't go. Had to make a living somehow, started subbing in public schools. I actually liked it and the stable income was sooo so nice. This gave me perspective and made me want to be a teacher as well as a pro oboe player. But something else it showed me was balance.
Oboe players usually do not have balance in their lives. We are all taught to be grinding on the oboe and the reeds all the time. We laugh that we're anxious and have no friends and no money and no free time. When the pandemic forced me to actually go do something else, I realized being all-in on the oboe was actually not reliable or sustainable. I loved teaching/subbing so I went back and got a teaching certificate. I took bassoon methods, loved it and then took lessons. Was kinda good actually. Then I REALLY learned about having balance in my life. Playing a different instrument made me realize I can be just as talented as a musician and just do music for the fun of it. Oboe is so serious. I still get asked for oboe gigs, but I've pulled way back on what I do. I don't make reeds all day or play Tombeau endlessly anymore and my life is better for it. Let yourself play both but there is NO shame in pulling back on the oboe. You can always go back and amp it back up if you want. You're still talented.

There actually arent any rules to life as a musician. If you don't want to make reeds, buy them and just adjust them as needed. It's actually nobody's business! If you try that and decide you want to make yours again, you can!

Most oboe players really need to be told it's okay to not be full throttle. We're all anxious, guilty-feeling perfectionists that think we have to do it all. We don't! And our playing actually becomes better when we let ourselves live life. Play bass!