Abstract: An apparatus trims woodwind instrument reed material for use in bassoons and the like in a precise and efficient manner. A cylindroid section of reed material is attached to the apparatus for rotation about its longitudinal axis. A cam, journalled in parallel relation to the reed material, defines a gradient to be trimmed thereon. The reed material and cam are interlocked for rotation in fixed parallel relation. A reed cutting assembly is pivotally disposed above the reed material and the cam and is movable about the longitudinal axes thereof. The cutting assembly includes a cam follower adjacent the cam and a blade in contacting relation with the reed material. The cutting assembly trims the gradient defined by the cam onto the reed material. The trimming is done by rotating the interlocked reed support and cam assembly about the longitudinal axis of the reed material, while linearly moving the cutting assembly along the longitudinal axis of the reed material.