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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000020.txt from 2008/01
From: "Miriam Williams" <mwquacker@-----.net>
Subj: [DR-L] Lip-ups for flat high notes or weak embouchure
Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:37:15 -0500
Shawn,
Perhaps a student who has not been taught the right way to prep for high
notes in the beginning has developed the habit your student has and has an
undeveloped embouchure for high notes. When I've had a layoff from playing,
I notice that the fine control necessary for endurance and playing in tune
in general, and especially high register needs to get back in shape. For
this, I use a "sag" or lip-up exercise.
I do this on (2nd space) A, middle Bb, B and C:
Tempo of about 60 - use a tuner.
2 beats playing A with regular emb.
Slide the pitch down to a half step - guess this could be described as a
descending portamento -
for 2 beats (think "aardvark" embouchure or "o-o-o", drop the jaw, keep
corners FIRM) - push the reed out to play on the tip - "e-e-e-y-a-w" would
also work -
then
bring the pitch back (2 beats) up, focusing on using the center muscles of
the lip ("o-o-o-o"), slightly rolling the reed back to normal position; stop
when the pitch is back in tune. Keep that open feeling inside the mouth as
if there were an egg in there (grapefruit analogy has been used - young
folks seem to like exaggeration; whatever works for you).
Repeat using Bb, B and C. Practice that sequence at the start of each
practice session for as long as it takes to get used to it. Rest after this
sequence.
We who have played oboe for years know when it feels right. No biting
allowed, focus on using the lips (and assuming proper breath support used).
Then, I'd add slurring up to the octave on the end of each of the pitches,
keeping the center of the lip focused but flexible. Maybe she could try
doing these exercises exclusively for a whole weekend F, S, Sun., staying
away from the upper register (except for during the lip-ups).
Does this make sense? Easiest would be for me to record it, or play it for
you over the phone, but I hope this is a good explanation.
Problem is, the student will have to use her habitual way of playing at
rehearsals and it might take longer to establish the right way of emb.
control. It's pretty hard to get someone to develop a new way of playing and
feel comfortable with it, but a serious student who wants to improve will be
able to get it, I'd hope.
I changed my embouchure a few yrs ago from an even-lips-on-the-reed and
playing only on the very tip to where I use more lower lip and playing with
a little more up on the reed. I get better control and endurance that way.
Your mileage may vary. : ) I sometimes use more pressure on the lower blade
to bring pitch up if necessary, or at the end of a rehearsal when I'm tired.
We all have varying physiology, too. And I'm assuming you're checking her
reeds for stability.
Please let us know what you end up doing, what worked, and how things
progress.
Best,
Miriam
----- Original Message -----
From: <Oboehotty@-----.com>
To: <doublereed@-----.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2008 9:29 AM
Subject: [DR-L] Oboe - flat second octave key notes
Hi everyone,
Its been a while since I have written and I hope that everyone had a
wonderful new year.
I have a college student who for some time I have been puzzled by her
problems. No matter what I do or say, she always goes extremely flat on the
second
octave key notes (A, B, and C). I have tried every analogy I know to get
her
to open up inside her mouth and keep enough firmness against the reed (short
of biting) to keep them up to pitch with no success. I wish I had a tool to
see inside her mouth and throat while she is playing, to identify what she
might be doing wrong. She has even switched oboes from an older Marigaux to
a new
Fossati Artiste. I have tried many different reed styles with her, and
nothing seems to work, short of her biting the heck out of the reed on that
note.
She has some minor pitch issues all around the horn, but nothing that is
out
of the ordinary that we don't experience on the oboe (low D, high c and c#,
etc..)
I am puzzled -- any suggestions?
shawn
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