Five Minute Reedmaker: Windows in the HEART?

In Reed Club this week this idea came up. It sounded crazy to me but I'm always game to try - and I LOVED the results!
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[@daviddawson3349]

Thanks Jennet - what an intriguing idea! I'm not a reed wizard, but it does seem to me that less cane on the reed, and more flexibility, has often resulted in a reed with less longevity. I'll be curious to learn if these reeds hold up as well as your usual style.
On another note (no pun intended}, I'm beginning to suspect that my Püchner oboe was made to play at 442 or above (I'll check with the factory) - my Rigoutat RIEC from the 70s (which I've just had restored) plays a few cents lower on every reed than does the Püchner. Hmmm...

[@JennetIngle]

Fair question! I can't answer it yet either - but let's both experiment and check back, ok?

[@K-Oboe]

How interesting! I'm going to try this on some sharp reeds too.

[@JennetIngle]

Keep us posted!

[@kyoung7165]

My teacher did with the pointy tip of the knife to create the window(s). He studied with Sprenkle.

[@JennetIngle]

Cool! Thanks for validating!

[@jorismith517]

Excited to try this technique on my sharp reeds.

[@JennetIngle]

Good luck!

[@Skitdora2010]

I believe the oboe will change to no longer being sharp. If wood and not resin the wood itself causes changes dependent upon humidity and temperature but even some screws being loosened and tightened can change the sound. It is cheaper to play with the reeds though. When my oboe went to the shop in August the other year they didn't give it back till after Thanksgiving when I started to harp on them. I had a spare thankfully.

[@JennetIngle]

Thanks for this! You're right, it's much easier to tweak the reeds than to mess around with the oboe...