thin the tip

Can’t believe this is true, but these are the first pieces to be tied since Oregon! I made so many reeds before I left that I had plenty to work with upon my return. 🙀

Bring it on fickle, unpredictable, mercurial Michigan weather- let’s do this! 💪

Official SMF reed count as of today: 30.

Reeds I have actually enjoyed playing on: 4. 🫩

Sigh.

It’s all about the cane. It just hasn’t been what I would have liked this summer, but I am making it work. I’ve got four days left to make the magic happen before Classic 4 and the festival ends. 🤞

REED UPDATE: Concert 1 is done, and a surprise entry showed up to save the day. Reed du jour was a winner.🥇

So far only 2 absolute duds, so remaining cautiously optimistic for the tough program combo of Mendelssohn 3 and Barber’s Violin Concerto for concert 2 tomorrow night. 🫪

I am a reed making machine!💪

…..and of course I bring along the “Hall of Fame” reeds from previous seasons just in case. I think it may be how I ward off bad reed making juju. I do this every year and have never needed them, but I sure feel better having them along!

(2025 was a great reed making season. 2023? Not so much. 😂)

🤔So….do we think this is enough cane to get me through the Sunriver Music Festival?

🏜️🏔️☀️🏞️🎶

A little “crow talk” this morning as I work on finishing a reed. True disclosure: there were two additional videos of me playing this reed during the process that, for some reason, had no sound, so those are not included here. It makes the complete series a bit disjunct, but there’s lots of good stuff in these clips for those that are curious!

🎉….and I’m back! Just created a set of videos about what I listen for in the crow when going from the rough scrape to a balanced crow.

First up: the tip crow🐦‍⬛

I’ll add a new one each day (but a complete video will go up on the YouTube channel with all videos and reed pics combined soon for those who can’t take the suspense.😂)

Post any comments or questions as we go - let’s talk reeds! 🙂