Is my oboe reed still good?

Question

I have been sick and played on my oboe reed. Will it get me sick again after I play on it when I'm better or do I need to throw it out? Is there some way to clean it?

Answer 1

I have been playing the oboe for 13 years and have never gotten sick from a reed. However, if you have been sick for a while I would recommend letting the reed soak in some cool water. If you have a reed plaque (used when scraping reeds) I would let the reed soak and themuse the plaque to lightly scrape out the inside of the reed. Remember, you are blowing through the reed so you are more likely to get junk inside the reed than outside. If you have had something like tonsilitis or another highly contagious sickness, I recommend throwing the reed out just to be on the safe side. It also depends on if you play every day, hours a day, once a week. etc. . . . You're body reacts to germs differently. It's the same as washing your hands.

Answer 2

Both your teacher and your local music store have disinfectant solution that you can soak your reed in briefly if you have any concerns. Most viruses cannot survive outside of a moist humid environment, so if you dried you reed out after using it, and have stored it in it's case, it should be completely germ free by he time you get back to it. If your motto is better safe than sorry however, get some of that antiseptic solution and let it sit in there for a couple of minutes. Oboe reeds are fairly expensive, even if you tie your own. It pays to get as much use as you can out of them.

Answer 3

An oboe reed has a bite of cane folded over itself, making it a double reed. it is not very nearly as extensive as a clarinet reed. I doubt a clarinet reed could be carved into an oboe reed and nonetheless sound good.

Answer 4

my sister plays the sax and uses a reed. she has played when she was sick and never had a relapse. it should still be good, but if you arent sure you can get some disinfectant just for that at a music store.