I purchased a bombarde (French folk oboe) and it was delivered today. I got some noise out of it, or more precisely "NOISE", but I was wondering; do I hold the reed so just the tip is between my lips? It tickles like crazy, not just my lips, but the hairs in my ears vibrate and it's really annoying. Will I get used to it?

And finally, do they sell mutes for these things? I understand why it's called a bombarde. My neighbors, the closest of whom lives a half a mile away, are probably wonderng what that noise was.

Thanks,
Steve