joilieder:

Bassoon Reed Making Lesson 3 - Plan to spend hundreds of dollars on reed making tools.  This is just a start.

While a lot of the equipment is expensive, there are some cheaper ways to get the same tools needed.

When I first started out, my bassoon teacher had me go and buy two files (one rough, and one smooth), a drill bit (which works as a reamer), rat tail files, sand paper, and a knife. He also had me go to a local craft store and buy copper craft wire (this comes in all different sizes, so be careful you dont get one thats too thick, or one thats too thin). Later he also gave me a screw driver that was very thin at the top (I use this as my mandril). You can also take old credit cards, and cut them down to make a plaque (i’ve never had to do this, but my bassoon teacher has made this suggestion to me in the past, so im assuming he’s tried it and had it work out for him)

These are just some of the basic tools that you’ll need, and If you’re like me (a college student that doesnt have a job and doesnt have money) then these solutions may be worth checking in to (unless you have a teacher that demands you have all the expensive stuff…)