There was once a time, long ago now, when the double-reed players actually bit the reeds between their teeth rather than padding it with their lips.

The vibrations that ensued over time every day, traveling through their skulls, is said to have actually drove many of 'em mad.

The double-reed driven oboe. Also known as The Faggotte. No further comment.

I had an old prof who claimed that this was the reason the oboe became the instrument that the entire orchestra could tune to, for the poor oboist still had the note ringing around in his head. Or maybe they could recognize the right resonance, being "direct coupled" as it were...


--Mac