Where to Order Handmade Reeds

Note:  Reeds are made to order and can take 2+ weeks to arrive, so always order before you actually need them!  Many places have a reed subscription or auto-ship service (I order 2-3 reeds per month for myself to avoid reed emergencies).  Though I am able to make reeds, making them for all of my students is too time-consuming!  I suggest ordering from the places below - I am always ordering from new reed-makers and updating this list so you don't have to do the guesswork.

​Oboe Reeds

For 5th-6th Grade Beginners:  Beginners should have reeds that respond easily, don't sound too quacky, and are less expensive than professional-level reeds.
  • The Reed Maker - Student level reeds
  • Edmund Nielsen - 6th and 7th graders can get "medium hard" in chocolate, black, or purple thread colors.  Edmund Nielsen reeds are color-coded by maker, so the thread color on their site does matter.  After about 3-6 months of playing, I recommend moving up to intermediate reeds.  
  • Magic Reeds

For Intermediate Players: These reeds are meant for students who have been playing at least 3-6 months and are not breaking reeds often.  These reeds will be a little more resistant but also more stable in tone.
​For Auditions, High School/College Students and Professionals:  These reeds are made with the highest quality cane, sound very dark/resonant, and are scraped with more detail.
  • Wildflower Reeds (in Texas) - made by Elise Belk (former student of John Mack).  I use the "medium professional" reeds.  These are great for students with strong embouchures.  Arrived 1 week after ordering. *Note: if you can't find the cart icon when ordering from your phone, turn your phone sideways and it should appear on the righthand side of the screen.
  • ​James Sullivan Reeds via Double or Nothing Reeds
  • Bjorklund Reedworks (in Chicago) - Warm/dark sound, easy response.  They can take a while in the mail but offer a monthly subscription.
  • Shalita Black Label Pro Reed - Dark sound, easy response, opening is more closed and good for students with relaxed embouchures, arrived almost 2 weeks after ordering. They offer a monthly subscription.
  • Moreno Reeds - Dark sound, easy response, medium opening - may take several weeks to arrive.
  • Dr. Leland Greene Reeds (Ohio State oboe professor):  Responsive, warm/dark sound.  Ask me for his contact info.
  • (shop on break temporarily) Samantha Marie Reeds  - Easy to play, dark sound - good for relaxed embouchures

English Horn Reeds
  • Wildflower Reeds
  • Double or Nothing Reeds
  • Leland Greene
  • Erica Howard
  • DeLuna Reeds (might be a 6-week wait)

Bassoon Reeds
  • Forrests Music
    • For 6th/7th grade beginners:  "Forrests Gold Label" or "Albion Blue Label" (medium soft or medium)
    • For auditioning middle schoolers and high schoolers:  the "Forrests Black Label" (I use medium soft)
    • For oboists doubling on bassoon, I recommend a smaller/narrower "Philadelphia style" reed.
  • Cullen Blain Reeds 
  • Tom Hardy Reeds - from London, and excellent audition reeds!
  • LC Double Reeds
  • Tiger Reeds
  • Bocal Majority "Medium" Reeds - these also come in fun themes...Star Wars, Zelda, holidays, etc.
  • ​Raffe Reeds by Eryn Oft
  • Double or Nothing Reeds
  • Bel Canto Reeds​