We have to be carpenters. For those of you who aren’t aware, bassoonists, like oboe players (we’re different, I swear!), make their own reeds. For bassoonists like myself who have never been able to funnel our musical talent into fine woodworking skills, this is a source of constant frustration. By my estimates, I destroy approximately 1/3 acre of bamboo for every playable reed my clumsy hands produce. One of these days I just know I’m going to lose a finger, but at least then I won’t have to worry about making reeds anymore.