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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000066.txt from 2004/10
From: PhilFrei@-----.com
Subj: [DR-L] Re: Another reed-physics conjecture
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 13:22:33 -0400
From Mike Benthin:
>To find the most balanced angle of the reed in the lips, place it in the
mouth minus the oboe and play a B-flat pitch- look at its angle in the
mirror and you will see why I feel most players hold the oboe too low.<
This was in reply to my comment "I'm reluctant to give up the 'sweet spot'
I've found where the tone seems to ring the most (when the reed is at it's most
perpendicular position relative to the lips)."
It is quite amazing to me all the different ways folks have found to play the
oboe. Most players I've heard from seem to prefer harder reeds that require
less additional support for the upper register.The benefits of being able to
adjust the embouchure more skillfully (as evidenced by the ability to play
Yankee Doodle) are clear if it allows a softer-playing reed that is more responsive
in the lower register. I guess we all make our trade-offs.
Mike: how much wind do you use to get your B-flat? How far in or out is the
reed? How much embouchure pressure? I have reeds that crow "naturally" from
B-flat to C-sharp, but can vary different amounts depending upon the amount of
wind (some more responsive to this, some less). Would you use a different reed
position or embouchure for each?
With the lips as a reference, what is the angle (approximately, or range if
it varies) you tend to hold the oboe at? With the head up/oboe to chest
position being taught at the SF Conservatory, the angle is very small, maybe around
20 or 30 degrees. I tend to play more at 90 degrees, but am considering letting
that practice go.
Back to my original question, do you ever consciously press the reed into
either the upper lip or the lower lip? Or do you always try and maintain some
sort of evenness between the two? What do you think of my conjecture about the
relationship of blade distance to center of the reed (closed position) and tone?
- Phil Freihofner
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