 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jnguyen
Date: 2016-01-23 08:47
Hi! I want to learn how to play the oboe, however I am concerned that my embouchure for clarinet will become messed up. Does anyone here have any experience with playing double reeds and single reeds? I was told by some that you eventually get used to switching embouchures but I just wanted to know your opinions on this.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2016-01-23 09:08
They are different but there is no problem in playing both, although you would need to practice both.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-01-23 11:10
I double on both single and double reeds mostly when doing pit band work. Also in a recent orchestral Christmas concert playing oboe/cor, alto and tenor saxes.
With oboe, get your tone up to scratch as that will be the biggest advantage you can have. Put the hours into tone production as the last thing you want to be known for is sounding like a bag of cats.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-01-23 12:33
I started learning both at the same time. So I found that i was double lipping the clarinet. Once I figured out what i was doing wrong, the tone improved immensely. But as you already play the clarinet well, i doubt the oboe would destroy your embouchure, it is more likely that you will keep trying clarinet embouchure on the double reed and get no sound
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-01-23 13:57
There are many clarinet players who play with a double lip embouchure - I tried it and thought the sound was much better, but found the instrument difficult to hold as it wasn't so secure on my chops than when I have my teeth against the mouthpiece (patch).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2016-01-23 20:14
I play in a few orchestras on both oboe/EH and clarinets. Oboe is my primary instrument and clarinet secondary, but I've been called lately to play more clarinet than oboe in on of the orchestras. Your embouchure shouldn't be affected.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: Jim22
Date: 2016-01-23 21:23
Warning: oboe reeds are a DISASTER! I play flute, clarinet, and sax. I have some trouble going from sax or clarinet to flute, but have not seen an issue between flute and oboe. Forget all the controversy about mouthpieces and facings. Oboe reeds are like snowflakes - every one is different. Tone, intonation, overall pitch, dynamics, response, and vibrato are all a function of each reed. A teacher is a must. Do I sound frustrated? I've been at it almost a year. On a good day with a decent reed, I love it.
Jim C.
CT, USA
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2016-01-23 22:32
It has been a long time since I've played oboe, so I have no personal experience with Legere oboe reeds. Listening to some sound clips, they sound quite good.
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-01-24 00:25
jim! i am so with you. when i started oboe i thought that i was hopeless.. get a good tom sparked oboe and fluke finding a good reed.. and suddenly i play easily .... it seems to be hit ad miss with reeds.. even the KGe ones...
i had similar experiences with clarinet.. blamed myself for a lot, when it was the reed combination with mouthpiece, get a decent mouth piece and th right reed, and full steam ahead!
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2016-01-24 04:46
I am primarily a clarinetist but also am working some now on basson (yup the French variety).
I have always played double lip on clarinet and think this was quite an advantage when I started on basson.
Same would probably also hold true for the oboe - though the difference between clarinet and oboe embouchures is much greater than clarinet and basson where the size of reed and embouchure and air pressures are not so dissimilar.
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Author: Jim22
Date: 2016-01-24 06:55
I'm glad it's not just me, Sarah. There may be hope for me, though. Today I scraped 4 reeds. All four sort of played! They were close to pitch, and varying degrees of too hard. Maybe one or two will get me through rehearsal on wednesday.
I'm sure my teacher would not approve of the legeres - wrong side of the pond. But I would definitely be interested in trying a couple.
Jim C.
CT, USA
Post Edited (2016-01-24 06:56)
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-01-24 10:45
leg ere make an oboe reed!!!! Oh goodness.. I must find!!!!!!!! My son just broke my mp on my clarinet.. so i will ask at the shop when i go tomorrow to replace my mouth piece!!! (And I can't find the original mouth piece either! So I really am stuck not being able to practise today.
I must confess it took me a while to figure out when a problem was me or the clarinet. ... and same with oboe. Relieved to meet a kindred spirit!
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Author: Jim22
Date: 2016-01-24 22:17
Are these reeds actually for sale anywhere? The big box online places don't seem to have them yet.
Jim C.
CT, USA
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-01-24 23:34
Haha Chris.. if only we knew which of those handsome men you are! haha
I can't wait for it to be released!!!!
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2016-01-25 00:33
Like "cross-fit" physical training, the greater the variety of woodwind instruments you play, the better will be your embouchure on any one of them. Increasing the strength and control of all those muscles can only help.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-01-25 02:36
Legere oboe reeds have already been launched late last year as far as I'm aware, but Howarth haven't got them listed on their site as I'd like to know how much they are.
I'm the one with the kingwood oboe in the video.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-01-28 01:35
The legere site indicates they haven't been released yet? I expect they will be expensive!
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2016-01-28 20:13
I play both the clarinet and oboe families and have done both for 50 years. What I have found that things that i learn from technique on one can transfer to the other. For example, oboe technique requires the development of a vibrato and I use it on clarinet, although not overboard. I can go back and forth from one embouchure to another quite easily.
Now oboe reeds make you APPRECIATE clarinet reeds! However, the ways in which oboe reeds are adjusted has helped me no end in adjusting clarinet reeds. A well-sharpened reed knife is a wonderful thing.
Playing both does increase your chances for gigs, especially if you are good on both. Often times groups are looking for a decent oboist.
Eefer guy
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Author: AAAClarinet
Date: 2016-01-28 21:36
At NAMM I was told Legere oboe reeds won't be released for another 4 months or so. They don't want to release them until they are good enough to be played in a symphony orchestra.
AAAClarinet
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-01-28 23:53
That's good to know they're not prepared to release them until they get them absolutely right as oboe reeds are notoriously picky things. If only other companies put as much time into research and development of a new product as well as lengthy trials with top musicians before launching them too early and ending up having to refund any dissatisfied customers.
I found them very responsive and the low notes spoke with ease and have a nice full tone, but above high A and into the altissimo they did go flat and it took a fair amount of lipping them up to pitch which is really tiring if you have to do that loads. It's probably down to the shape of the bore (as they have no staple) which may be too circular instead of flattened out at the same distance where the staple meets the cane in a normal reed. I had a cane reed made on a staple that was left circular and that sagged up top.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: MikeWilson
Date: 2016-01-29 13:32
Ooh - i'm in the video at 0:22 (playing on the right not very clearly visible).
I'd no idea we'd crossed paths...
Mike
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-01-29 14:49
We must've been the first two to turn up early!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2016-01-29 15:30
how funny. chris you don't look anything like i had imagined you! Mike how bizarre, the two of you were in the room at the same time, and didn't realise!!!!!!
there are videos of me playing an instrument on youtube... pregnant at the time.. so not looking my best.. not going to be linking! Nowhere near as good looking as you two anyway!!!!
Looking forward to their release!!!!!!!!
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