Since at least the Baroque era, all Western classical woodwind instruments have only used Arundo donax for reeds. This preliminary investigation is one of the first inquiries into alternative natural materials for oboe reeds. The first chapter of this document is an overview of what we currently know about the materials used for reeds beginning in antiquity. Next, a brief survey of double reed instruments outside of Western classical music for reed materials. The second chapter looks into some plants in the Poaceae family to find more candidates. The third chapter is making reeds from two experimental materials. In addition, Dr. Gardner and I conduced a study where participants made reeds from the experimental materials and reported their findings. The last chapter is a scope analysis of imagery taken of various plant samples, sound analysis using statistical tests, and hardness testing. Collective results indicate high likihood of suitable alternative natural materials for oboe reeds.