The Bassoon Reed Manual: Lou Skinner's Theories and Techniques

Contributing authors: Russel Hinkle and William Woodward.

The book that no bassoonist can live without.

With the help of author James McKay, the late Louis Skinner, America's master bassoon reedmaker, documented his techniques for making specialized and general purpose reeds for the bassoon and the contrabassoon. In this work, step-by-step explanations of reedmaking techniques are complemented by photographs and drawings, making every procedure clear. Throughout, the emphasis is on giving practical advice, not just giving steps to follow but explaining why they are important.

CONTENIDO

List of figures

Preface, by James R. McKay
The life and times of Lou Skinner

1. Theoretical principles and concepts
-Apertures of reeds
-Reed pitch
-Resiliency of cane and fibers
-Gouges
-Aperture, trim, and voicing

2. Essential tools for reed making
-Scraping wheels
-Mandrels
-Reamers
-Shaper
-Knives and plaques
-Files and sandpaper
-Pliers and end-nipper
-Rulers, dividers, and compasses
-Wire, string, and glue
-Other tools

3. The straight taper reed: Lou Skinner's interpretation of Carl Mechler's reed
-Preparation of tubes, gouging, and profiling
-Pre-trim
-Enhancement of the inside of the tube (Windsor Mill process)
-Center-panel scoring
-Parallel-sides pre-trim
-Forming and drying
-Final stage
-Final trim

4. The tip taper reed: Lou Skinner's interpretation of Knochenhauer's reed
-Preparation of tubes, gouging, and profiling
-Pre-trim
-Enhancement of the inside of the tube (Windsor Mill process)
-Center-panel scoring
-Parallel-sides pre-trim
-Forming and drying
-Final stage
-Final trim

5. Variations to the tube
-The Windsor Mill process: Original version
-Reverse Corona variation
-Four flats with take-out variation
-Tube taper
-Beveling variation

6. Variations to the gouge and the inside of the blades and tubes
-Linear enhancements (LE)
-The dip tip variation
-Flute gouge variation
-The sandboard reed
-Even down-about shape (EDAS)

7. Variations to the outside of the blades
-Aperture
-Voicing
-Troubleshooting: the five tests
-Adittional troubleshooting

8. Special reeds and processes
-The Del Negro model
-Offset shape
-The 1001 Sheherezade reed
-The 2001 Space Oddity reed
-Regular oboe trim
-The Tabuteau trim
-Keeping the flare on the shape
-Additional sink method

9. A comparison of the Mechler and Knochenhauer reeds

10. The contrabassoon reed
-Preparation of tubes, gouging, and profiling
-Shaping and pre-trim
-OMIT Windsor Mill process
-Center-panel scoring
-Pre-trim
-Forming and drying
-Final stage
-Final trim

Sources
Glossary