I just received this notice and thought I’d share it with readers (or reeders … you choose!

Each level (except 2.5) has 3 weeks of instruction to provide students with time to work through their new skills. Space in each class is limited to 4 students, so please encourage your students to sign up for their preferred dates before they fill up.

The classes are designed to be progressive, so students should complete level one before progressing to level two. I am also willing to have students who already adjust their own reeds with you in Level 2 or 2.5, based on your recommendation.

Level 1: Fundamental Reedmaker
This level covers the basic skills students must know in order to adjust their reeds. We’ll learn how to properly use, sharpen, and care for the reed knife, and develop our scraping skills on the students’ old reeds which are no longer in use. Students will learn all the details about where to scrape on the reed and what effect that will have, so that by the end of the three-week class, they will have the skills and information they need to adjust reeds on their own!

Session 2 – Sundays 10:00-11:15 am: 4/20, 4/27, 5/4 Registration deadline: Wed 4/9
Session 3 – Sundays 10:00-11:15 am: 5/11, 5/18, 5/25 Registration deadline: Wed 4/30
Additional required tools:
Bocal Majority “Oboe Reed-Making Kit Recommended Kit 1” or equivalent tools.
A washcloth or microfiber dusting cloth – this will be part of the reedmaking kit, it should be something which you don’t care if it gets stained or ripped.
A desk lamp at home to use when working on reeds.
Minimum enrollment for class to run: 2 students
1-2 hrs of homework assigned at each class MUST be completed before the next class.
Fee: $210 (this fee includes additional supplies, copies, 1 finished reed)
Register here (https://forms.gle/Z21sniAs9CQWoyCK7)

Level 2: Essential Reedmaker
This level advances past the basics of adjustment and teaches students how to scrape their reeds from blanks (reeds that can’t play yet). We’ll start with blanks I’ve created for the student and explore the 3-day process students need to take to get their reeds vibrating consistently, and playing in tune. Students who complete this three-week class will be able to buy pre-made blanks from me or other reed makers and play on the blanks they scrape open!

Session 2 – Sundays 11:15am – 12:30pm: 4/20, 4/27, 5/4 Registration deadline: Wed 4/9
Session 3 – Sundays 11:15am-12:30pm: 5/11, 5/18, 5/25 Registration deadline: Wed 4/30
Prerequisite: Level 1 or an equivalent level of experience
Minimum enrollment for class to run: 2 students
1-2 hrs of homework assigned at each class MUST be completed before the next class.
Fee: $220 (this fee includes 4 blanks, copies and supply cost)
Register here (https://forms.gle/Z21sniAs9CQWoyCK7)

Reedmaking Level 2.5: Scraping a profiled blank.
This class will open up new, faster ways for you to make reeds for yourself by utilizing profiled blanks. The beauty of the profiler is that it does Days 1 and 2 for you, so all you have to do is finish the reed to your specifications.

Session 2 – Sunday 4/20: 1:30-2:45 pm Registration deadline: Wed 4/9
Session 3 – Monday 5/26: 6:30-7:15pm Registration deadline: Wed 5/14
Prerequisite: Level 2 or an equivalent level of experience
Minimum enrollment for class to run: 2 students
Fee: $95 (this fee includes 4 blanks, copies and supply cost)
Register here (https://forms.gle/Z21sniAs9CQWoyCK7)

Many thanks and best wishes,
Alli Gessner (she/her/hers)

Oboe, English horn, private lessons
(502-321-3879)