Lessons to be held at my new house!

Lessons will take place at my new house starting on the 6th.

Directions:

From south 183 or 183A:

• North on 183 (or 183A), through Cedar Park
  
• Left at New Hope
  
• Right on Lakeline
  
• Left on Osage (not a light, but neighborhood entrance - The Highlands at Crystal Falls)
  
• Turn right on Highland Trail (at stop sign)
  
• Go straight after the next stop sign & our house is down at the end on the left
  
• 2507 Highland Trail, Leander, TX 78641

Feel free to ask me if you'd like to know alternate routes.

Tying on Blanks

The pics are courtesy of our most recent reed-making class.   

Here are some important things to remember about tying on blanks:

• soak cane for at least 25 minutes
• tie thread on a hook for best positioning
• unwind thread enough so you have room to work
• measure carefully and make pencil marks
• start wrapping thread around the cane checking both sides constantly to ensure even closing of the sides
• check the cane to make sure it is straight side-to-side as well as parallel to the mandrel
• once wrapped almost to the bottom make 3-4 knots and cut your thread
• measure, mark, and scrape your tip and then allow it to dry out overnight

Reed Class Reminders

All the new little reed-makers are on their way!  You guys are doing great.

Assignment for the week:

make one new blank for me to check

get one more reed's tip scraped enough to clip

get the reed you clipped open tonight thinned out more & crowing some

Reminders:

be patient

be patient

be patient

: )

also...  take your time on each step

sharpen your knife often

don't use pressure on your strokes

make sure your strokes go only one way & follow all the way through at a good angle

Next week's class will be at the Gill's again at 6:30. 

have fun!!!

What's Up Wednesday?

It's Wednesday & I thought it would be a good time for a weekly update.  

The first reed class went well for the students involved with that venture.  If you got started with me last night be sure to be patient & practice in a well lit room & try to make a good work space for yourself.  There should be some "carpentry" going on for your tie-on boards.  : )  

If you weren't able to make it to the first class, do not worry we will meet again Tuesday at the Gill's house at 6:30PM.  If you are not involved with the reed classes now don't feel left out because you will be able to join in the fun in a year or two.  Remember it is a whole other skill set & takes lots of time, patience & money to be successful.  Once you have a really good start to oboe playing then you can begin the adventure in reed making.  : )

Lessons this week are taking place at Grisham MS.  See you tomorrow!