Adjusting Reeds

The most important part of any double-reed instrument is the reed. The the thick reed-base section directly below the blades. Squeezing the belt-
very best player with the finest instrument will still sound only as good as wires is best done without any tools. Use finger-pressure only. Susato reeds
the reed responds to the players needs. Therefore, treat any reed with great use annealed, tin-coated copper wires. Except for reed-pitch and tip-opening
respect and care. Adjusting the reed-tip opening of any reed by squeezing adjustments, any touching of the belt wires or the reed blades should be
the reed-belt wires side to side, or front to back, requires experience and avoided. The slightest change to the reed-tip opening results in pitch and
great caution. A reed will serve many years if not unduly tampered with. sound-quality changes. A reed can be cleaned by immersing it for a few
When inserting or removing a reed, safest handling of the reed is done at seconds into a cup of sterilizing liquid, or mouthwash solution. Carefully
remove the cap and reed after playing, to allow the instrument to dry.
Reed Pitches
Below left, the two reed Below right, the opening
blades are much too far of the two reed blades is Typical Reed Set-Up
apart for a good sound. most likely correct. Before inserting any Susato
reed into your instrument,
check the pitch of the reed Reed Blades
itself. Place the reed into your
mouth and blow into it with- Dots to hold
out touching the vibrating Belt-Wires
for adjusting
adjusting wires
blades. A pitch-range for each reed pitch
in place
reed size is indicated below.
This test is only an approxi-

Squeezing the reed at the
two belt-wire edges will
increase the reed blade
opening.
Susato4P
mation, but helpful to estab- Reed Base
lish a workable reed-tip open-
ing. If the pitch is within the
indicated range, the reed Insertion Mark -1-
Reed Staple -A-
should work well. If not, Insertion Mark -2- Telescoping into Reed
adjust the reed-tip opening Insert Reed Staple -A- to Staple -B-
according to the instructions Insertion Mark 1
(lubricate occasionally)
above until the desired pitch is (when horn is “cold”)
established. or Insertion Mark 2
Sopranino reed pitch: (when horn is “hot”)
Reed Staple -B-
-C- to -C#- Adjust as needed (Glued into end of horn)
Soprano reed pitch: Cap Joint
-O- Rings,
-B- to -C-- (Must be lubricated
occasionally) Cork, or
Alto reed pitch: Thread-Seal
-A- to -Bb-
Tenor reed pitch:
-F- to -F#-
Instrument Body
Squeezing the belt-wire Bass reed pitch:
at the flat surfaces of the -D- to -D#-
reed blades will reduce
the reed opening. Great-Bass reed pitch:
-C- to -C#- Kelischek Workshop, 199 Waldroup Road, Brasstown NC 28902 USA
 Fingering Chart for Cornamuse, Crumhorn & Kelhorn

‘Nino &

Back Key
Front Key
or
Thumb

Left
Hand

Right
Hand

If extension
Closed tone hole Close if needed Open tone hole keys mounted

© Copyright 2014 By Kelischek Workshop for Historical Instruments, 199 Waldroup Road, Brasstown, North Carolina 28902 USA