Squeezing double reeds?

Question:I've seen some kids in my class who play oboe and basson squeeze their reeds.
Why do they do that?
To make the tone sound better?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I've seen some kids in my class who play oboe and basson squeeze their reeds.
Why do they do that?
To make the tone sound better?

Double reeds are notoriously finicky. Pinching them top to bottom closes the tip while pinching the sides opens it. This changes the resistance of the reed (how easy or difficult it is to get the reed to play). We make a lot of adjustments very frequently to our reeds to get them to cooperate with us to balance the ease of blowing through the reed with the resistance required to get the reed to vibrate (producing sound) evenly and continuously. Too easy blowing and the vibration and sound will stop and start uncontrollably. Too resistant and we get dizzy trying to force a normal amount of air through the instrument to maintain air support.

to get the spit moving!