Community Resources and Workshops for Double Reed Enthusiasts

The Power of Connection in the Double Reed World

Playing the oboe or bassoon is a deeply personal journey, but it doesn’t have to be a solitary one. The unique challenges of double reed instruments—mastering the embouchure, producing a consistent tone, and crafting reliable reeds—often leave players feeling isolated, especially when few peers share their specific instrument. Private teachers provide essential guidance, but the most significant breakthroughs frequently occur when you step into a wider community. Workshops, festivals, and online groups offer something that one-on-one lessons cannot: a chorus of perspectives, real-time problem-solving, and the camaraderie of shared struggle. Whether you are a middle school student tackling your first reed or a professional preparing for a principal chair audition, tapping into the collective expertise of the double reed community can transform your playing and sustain your passion for a lifetime.

Online Communities: Your Global Practice Room

The internet has dissolved geographic barriers, making it possible to confer with a bassoonist in Tokyo or an oboist in London within seconds. These digital spaces are not just for casual conversation—they are vibrant hubs where players trade reed dimensions, debate instrument brands, and offer support during stressful audition seasons. Active participation can lead to long-distance mentorships, collaboration on chamber music projects, and access to resources you would never find locally.

Platforms like Facebook and Reddit host some of the most active double reed discussion groups in the world. Here are a few of the most valuable:

Double Reed Geek (Facebook)– With over 10,000 members, this group is a goldmine for reed-making advice. Members routinely post close-up photos of their reeds, asking for feedback on tip thickness, scrape shape, and crow pitch. Daily threads cover everything from cane sourcing to audition repertoire.
OboeForum– A long-running forum with separate sections for technique, repertoire, and pedagogy. Many distinguished professional oboists contribute here, offering nuanced advice on historical performance practice, fingerings, and equipment choices.
Bassoon World– A comprehensive community with discussions on bocals, reed tools, and repair techniques. The site also features a marketplace for buying and selling instruments, reeds, and supplies.
Reddit’s r/Oboe and r/Bassoon– More casual but still rich with content. Users post recordings for critique, ask for advice on tricky passages, and share links to free sheet music and etude collections. The communities are welcoming to players of all levels.
Discord Servers– Real-time chat platforms like Discord host several active double reed servers, such as the Double Reed Hub and Oboe Central. These spaces allow for voice chat, screen sharing during reed-making, and impromptu masterclasses.

Beyond these general groups, niche communities exist for Renaissance and Baroque double reeds, experimental reed techniques, and instrument repair. Joining just two or three targeted groups can dramatically accelerate your learning curve.

YouTube Channels and Podcasts

Video tutorials and audio interviews have become essential tools for double reed education. Channels like Jennifer Covey Oboe and BassoonPapa offer free masterclasses, reed-making walkthroughs, and practice strategies that rival paid instruction. Podcasts such as The Oboist’s Companion and Bassoon Unfiltered feature in-depth conversations with leading performers and pedagogues, covering career development, equipment choices, and the realities of professional orchestras. Subscribing to a handful of channels provides weekly inspiration and technical guidance at no cost.

Instagram and TikTok have also emerged as surprising resources. Search hashtags like #oboe, #bassoon, or #reedmaking to find short tutorials, performance clips, and live Q&A sessions from players around the world. Many professional double reed artists use these platforms to share daily practice routines and reed adjustments, offering a window into their process.

Workshops, Masterclasses, and Summer Intensives

While online resources are convenient, nothing matches the impact of in-person learning. Workshops provide concentrated, immersive experiences where you receive immediate feedback, observe others solving similar problems, and build lasting relationships with peers and mentors.

The International Double Reed Society (IDRS) Conference

The IDRS annual conference is the premier event for double reed players worldwide. Rotating between North America, Europe, and Asia, the five-day gathering includes dozens of masterclasses, lectures, and reed-making demonstrations, plus concerts by world-renowned artists. Attendees can schedule private lessons with faculty, participate in reed-adjustment clinics, and visit the largest exhibition of double reed vendors anywhere. Competitions for young artists and ensemble performances round out the schedule. Visit the IDRS website for upcoming dates and registration details.

University-Based Summer Institutes

Many conservatories and music schools offer intensive summer programs dedicated to oboe and bassoon. These programs are ideal for high school and college students seeking focused preparation for conservatory auditions or simply a deep dive into their instrument. Notable examples include:

Oberlin Bassoon Institute– A week-long intensive focusing on reed making, technical exercises, and solo repertoire. Each day includes private lessons, group classes, and guided practice sessions.
University of Michigan Double Reed Seminar– Geared toward advanced high school and undergraduate students, with an emphasis on orchestral excerpts and audition preparation. Faculty are drawn from major American orchestras.
Eastman Oboe Institute– Offers a blend of masterclasses, reed-making sessions, and body-mapping workshops that help players overcome tension and prevent injury.
Texas Double Reed Camp– A newer program hosted by the University of Texas at Austin, welcoming oboists and bassoonists from middle school through adult. The camp emphasizes chamber music and reed adjustment.

Many institutes offer scholarships and work-study opportunities, making them accessible to a wide range of players. Application deadlines often fall in early spring, so plan ahead.

Online Masterclasses and Structured Courses

For players who cannot travel, structured online courses have become a powerful alternative. Platforms like ArtistWorks occasionally feature double reed specialists, but more targeted offerings include ReedGeek Academy and OboeWorld. These websites provide video curricula covering reed adjustment, articulation, and tone production. Many courses include downloadable PDFs and private forums where you can submit recordings for expert critique. Some programs, like Bassoon Online with Rachel, offer live weekly group classes via Zoom, combining the convenience of home learning with real-time interaction.

Reed-Making Resources and Cane Suppliers

Reed making is the most critical and personal skill for double reed players. Quality materials and reliable instruction can save you months of frustration. Beyond traditional books, several specialized online resources can help you improve consistency and efficiency.

Reliable Cane and Tool Suppliers

The quality of your cane directly affects your reed-making success. These suppliers are trusted by professionals worldwide:

Forrests Music– Offers pre-gouged, shaped cane, as well as complete reed-making kits for beginners. Their customer service is excellent for troubleshooting.
Mijnders Oboe Reeds– Known for hand-finished reeds and high-grade gouged cane sourced from the Var region in France.
Vandoren– Famous for synthetic reeds, they also offer natural cane and reed-making tools, including the popular Vandoren Reed Case.
RDG Woodwinds– A staple for bassoon cane, bocals, and reed-making supplies. They carry everything from tubes to dial gauges.
Hodge Products– A one-stop shop for oboe and bassoon accessories, including cane, tools, and instrument maintenance supplies.
Double Reed Ltd. (UK)– Excellent for European players, offering gouged and shaped cane, as well as specialist tools like the Double Reed Pro profiling machine.

Online Reed-Making Tutorials

Video platforms contain thousands of reed-making tutorials, but quality varies widely. Structured courses like those offered by OboeReed.com or BassoonReed.com provide systematic training that mimics in-person instruction. ReedGeek Academy offers a subscription-based library of video guides with downloadable templates and recommended dimensions. For free options, YouTube channels like Oboe with Emma and Bassoon Reed Making with Chris offer step-by-step walkthroughs that are perfect for beginners.

Essential Books and Digital Learning Materials

A strong reference library is the foundation of independent study. Here is an expanded selection of books covering oboe, bassoon, and reed making in depth:

Title	Author	Focus
The Oboe Reed Manual	Mark T. Gould	Step-by-step reed construction with detailed diagrams and troubleshooting tables.
Bassoon Essentials	Jane Gower	Technique, repertoire, and reed care for intermediate players, with a useful appendix on bocals.
The Art of Oboe Playing	Brian Hunter	Tone production, articulation, and musical interpretation, with exercises for daily practice.
Practical Bassoon Pedagogy	William Waterhouse	Teaching methods, common student problems, and remedial exercises. A must for educators.
Reed Making: A Complete Guide	Christine C. Hersey	From cane selection to final finishing, with detailed troubleshooting for common reed faults.
Band Director’s Guide to Double Reeds	Larry Clark	For music educators teaching oboe and bassoon in school settings. Covers embouchure, maintenance, and repertoire.
The Bassoon Reed Manual	James R. K. Allen	Comprehensive guide to bassoon reed making, including sections on scraping techniques and profile adjustments.
Oboe Technique	John E. R. de Lancie	Advanced exercises for articulation, fingerings, and vibrato control.

Additionally, the IDRS Journal is a peer-reviewed publication that keeps you current on research, historical insights, and new pedagogical approaches. Many regional societies also publish newsletters with articles on local events, player profiles, and equipment reviews.

Local and Regional Double Reed Societies

Joining a regional society offers the benefits of in-person connection without the cost of international travel. Most societies hold annual festivals or workshops that are open to non-members for a small fee. Participating in these events can lead to ongoing chamber music partnerships, teacher referrals, and performance opportunities.

Prominent Societies Around the World

New York Double Reed Society (NYDRS)– Hosts an annual festival with masterclasses, reed-making labs, and a young artists competition. They also organize monthly reading sessions that are free for members.
British Double Reed Society (BDRS)– Publishes the magazine The Double Reed and holds a biennial conference. Their website includes a directory of teachers and repair technicians across the UK.
California Double Reed Society– Known for its inclusive approach, welcoming players of all levels. They run a popular workshop series in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
European Double Reed Society– Coordinates exchanges between national societies, shares research, and maintains an online archive of articles and recordings from past conferences.
Australian Double Reed Society– Hosts an annual festival rotating between major cities, often featuring international guest artists. Their summer school program is especially popular with young players.

If your region lacks a society, consider starting one. Many successful groups began with a handful of players meeting monthly in a library or community center. Reach out to local music schools, community bands, and university professors to gauge interest. Social media makes it easy to organize and promote events.

Pedagogical Resources for Teachers

Teaching double reed instruments requires specialized knowledge that goes beyond general music education. Workshops for teachers cover embouchure formation, remedial techniques for common problems, and strategies for integrating technology into lessons.

Teacher-Focused Workshops and Conferences

Midwest Clinic (Chicago)– Primarily a band conference, but it regularly features sessions on double reed pedagogy by master teachers. Past presenters have included members of the Chicago Symphony and leading university professors.
National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Conference– Surprisingly useful for double reed teachers, as sessions on breath support and resonance directly apply to oboe and bassoon playing.
University of Colorado Double Reed Pedagogy Institute– A summer program specifically for teachers, covering both oboe and bassoon with an emphasis on curriculum development and student assessment.
Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Clinic– Offers multiple sessions on double reed techniques for band directors, including hands-on reed-making workshops.

Online courses such as Teaching the Oboe from the University of Texas and Bassoon Pedagogy from Arizona State University offer graduate-level content for continuing education credits. Coursera and edX also occasionally feature music pedagogy courses that address wind instrument instruction.

Competitions, Festivals, and Performance Opportunities

Participating in competitions and festivals provides measurable goals, performance experience, and constructive feedback from distinguished judges. Many competitions are tailored specifically to double reed players and offer valuable prizes, including cash awards and performance engagements.

Major Double Reed Competitions

IDRS Gillet-Fox Competition– Open to oboists aged 18–26, featuring solo-orchestra repertoire. Winners earn cash prizes and performance opportunities at future IDRS conferences.
Fernando L. S. Double Reed Competition (Brazil)– A Latin American event focusing on works by Brazilian composers, helping to expand the repertoire for double reeds.
National Double Reed Competition (USA)– Organized by the National Double Reed Society, with categories for high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Finalists perform in public recitals.
Bassoon Chamber Music Competition (International)– Open to ensembles of any size featuring at least one bassoon. The competition encourages works that highlight the bassoon in chamber settings.

Even if you do not plan to compete, attending as an audience member exposes you to high-level playing and offers networking opportunities with peers and professionals.

Practical Tips for Maximizing Your Involvement

Attending a workshop or joining a community is only the first step. To truly benefit, approach these experiences with intentionality. Here are actionable strategies:

Set specific goals before each event. Write down three skills or concepts you want to improve. Share them with your instructor at the start of a masterclass so they can tailor their feedback.
Record sessions (with permission). Listening back to your own playing and the feedback you receive helps you retain insights long after the event.
Exchange contact information. Build a network of peers you can reach out to between workshops for accountability, advice, and moral support.
Volunteer at events. Many societies offer reduced registration fees for volunteers. Volunteering also gives you behind-the-scenes access to faculty and vendors.
Teach what you learn. Explaining a concept to a fellow player solidifies your own understanding and strengthens the community.
Follow up online. After a workshop, continue the conversation in forums or social media groups. Share your notes and ask follow-up questions—others will benefit from your insights.
Create a practice log connected to what you learned. For example, after a reed-making session, commit to making three reeds per week for the next month using the techniques you observed.

Conclusion

The path to double reed mastery is rarely walked alone. By actively engaging with online communities, attending workshops and masterclasses, building a strong reference library, and joining local societies, you create a support system that accelerates your technical and artistic growth. The double reed world is remarkably generous—players regularly share reed recipes, audition experiences, and practice strategies. Tapping into this wealth of knowledge not only improves your playing but also deepens your connection to a centuries-old tradition. Whether you are a student, amateur, or seasoned professional, there is always more to learn and new friends to meet. Start by exploring one of the communities or workshops listed above, and watch your confidence and skill flourish.