As the sound-producing mechanism for the bassoon, the reed is a vital component in the sound of the entire instrument. While pre-manufactured reeds are widely available for purchase at music stores, this one-size-fits-all option hardly does justice to the unique needs of the musician and the piece. Many bassoonists, including seasoned professional bassoonist Eric Arbiter, instead choose to craft their own reeds. A nuanced and difficult craft to master, reed-making involves specialized machinery and necessitates special attention to the thickness, and even topography, of the reed itself. When done correctly, however, this process results in a reed that not only produces a more beautiful sound, but also holds up to even the most demanding musical performances.
In The Way of Cane, Arbiter demystifies this process for bassoonists of all levels of experience. Drawing from his decades-long experience as both musician and reed-maker, Arbiter provides a comprehensive yet accessible overview of the craft, from the differing sound qualities produced by changing the dimensions of the reed's blades to the changes in the reed's behaviors as it passes through cycles of wetting and drying during production. Small changes in each of these variables, Arbiter explains, contribute to the ultimate goal of producing a bassoonist's ideal sound. With step-by-step instructions, detailed photos that further illuminate the reed-making process, and a companion website featuring the author's own recordings. The Way of Cane emphasizes the importance of the reed to the bassoon's sound, as well as the harmony between reed and musician.
Introduction Dedication Acknowledgements Part I: Foundations 1. Underlying Direction 2. Beginner's Mind and Not Knowing 3. Musical Influences and Reed-Making 4. Test It For Yourself 5. Machines for Bassoonists On a Limited Reed-making Budget 6. Using a Dial Indicator 7. Chains of Causes and Conditions in Reed-work 8. The Embouchure And Its Relationship To The Tip Opening 9. Bocals 10. Cycles of Reeds 11. The Study of Cane. Size, straightness and density Part II: Reed-making procedures 12. Gouging 13. Some Thoughts about Shapers 14. Some Thoughts About Profile Types 15. Forming the Tube, Beveling and Wrapping 16. Finishing Strategies Workflow Chart for the Way of Cane Part III: Performance 17. The Reed Notebook 18. More on Fingerings 19. Efficient Practicing 20. Prolonging A Reed's Life 21. Tonguing and Double-Tonguing 22. Notes for the Recordings Part IV: Supplemental Material 23. Adjusting and Setting Reed Machines 24. Cane Hardness Testing 25. A Correspondence with Norman Herzberg 26. Auditions A Summary of the Way of Cane Afterword Appendices Bibliography
Eric Arbiter is a professional musician and photographer. He played with the Houston Symphony as Associate Principal Bassoonist for 45 years, and has performed with several other groups including Da Camera, the Harvard Chamber Players, and the San Antonio Chamber Players. He was also Assistant Professor of Music at Rice University for 19 years, where he chaired the wind department.
Reviews for The Way of Cane: The Science, Craft, and Art of Bassoon Reed-making
""Nothing like this outstanding volume exists anywhere. The language is easy to understand, and is a 'must read' for those seriously studying the bassoon. It contains a thorough guide to bassoon reed-making, from elementary procedures to professional methods. The book goes beyond reed-making to present information about fingerings, articulations, and many of the musical problems a professional bassoonist has to learn and solve."" -- Bernard Garfield, Philadelphia Orchestra principal bassoon, retired ""FINALLY!! A reed making book that is not just an oversimplified cookbook or a dictatorial 'How-to Manual.' With the all-important bigger picture at the forefront, this book is entirely unique at its core when compared to all the other reed-making books out there."" -- Roger Tropman, bassoonist, teacher, and owner of www.nexuswoodwind.com
