A water container for soaking reeds. Please use fresh, clean water each time you play.
Cork grease (parrafin wax for bassoons if they have thread instead of cork)
Swab (Hodge brand on Amazon is good) - one silk swab for oboists. Bassoonists need 2 swabs: a bocal swab and also a swab that fits both the wing and boot joint of the bassoon. Always swab after playing.
A chromatic tuner and a metronome
At least 3 working reeds in a reed case - do not use the reed shipping containers...this causes cracking and mold growth (if you must, at least make some air holes).
For wooden instruments: case humidifier (I have a "humistat")
Cigarette paper (oboes only) - for getting water out of the tone holes...any strong tissue paper also works. I use OCB brand "ungummed" cigarette paper.
Oboe is one of the most sensitive musical instruments. Because of its narrow bore, wooden oboes are susceptible to warping and cracking during temperature and humidity changes. The delicate balance of an oboe's keywork can easily go out of adjustment. To avoid problems, never leave your oboe in the car or in an extremely hot or cold room, and always warm up the outside of the instrument before blowing warm air inside. Bassoons, though they have larger bores, are also affected by environmental changes. I will let you know if your child's instrument needs work, but I can fix many adjustment problems myself. Go to my Resources page for repair technicians.
I will let you know if there is a problem with your child's oboe or bassoon. Students may use my instrument in lessons (but they must bring their reeds) while waiting on a repair.
I made an easy-to-follow oboe adjustment guide for advanced students, available for free on www.box.com.
Students have the login info in their lesson binders.