 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Amanda
Date: 2002-01-29 21:29
I'm a high school sophomore and I've been playing the clarinet for 5 years now. We had 28 clarinets for marching band this year, and 7 for our symphonic band, which is 3 over what our band director wanted. I make 8 clarinets, and I offered to take up oboe because we don't have one at all. He refused to get me one, and since I parents bough me a cheap $500 plastic clarinet because of marching, there was no way they would shell out $1600-$1800 - for a used or new oboe, respectivly. It's been almost 2 months now, about 3 weeks away from MSBOA symphonic band festival, and he finally gave me the okay. Tomorrow I start playing the oboe. Only problem is, I don't know how to use a double reed...I'm trying to figure it out for myself tonight, but I need to learn the whole instrament in 3 weeks, so if anyone could clue me in somehow it would be really appreciated for the cut down on time. I have 2 medium Jone's oboe reeds, which my band director told me to buy, if that makes any difference.
Thanks for letting me waste your time, or for helping me if you can.
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Author: donald nicholls
Date: 2002-01-29 21:48
look, there's no nice way to put this- is your Band director trying to make a fool of you? i mean, the whole thing sounds really silly- unless you are a music genius. You have to learn the instrument, plus learn the music by memory AND the marching patterns.... in 3 weeks. AND then no one will hear you over 28 clarinets unless you make a mistake.
i have no advice for learning the oboe except
-tune a day book one
-find an oboe player
-make sure the reed is really wet
-don't try to squeaze it too hard when blowing (good advice for the clarinet to)
ok, being able to play different instruments is good fun, and being able to "double" may get you some more gigs, but in this case i would advise just sticking to the clarinet and doing it well (i guess that isn't really the advice you wanted to hear)
nzdonald
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Author: LynnB
Date: 2002-01-29 21:59
Amanda,
The oboe is a great instrument and if you want to try to get all this done in 3 weeks, go for it.
Double Reed - you know for clarinet how you tuck your bottom lip over your teeth so they don't tought the reed. Well, do the same thing with your top lip. That way, no teeth are touching the reed just your lips. Your teeth will be covered, kinda like you do when you drink from a straw. Clear as mud?
I'm sure others here can give you better advice than I. Good luck and have fun.
LynnB
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-01-30 00:51
You have three weeks to learn the oboe. Right. You're kidding us... aren't you?
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Author: Amanda
Date: 2002-01-30 01:54
As to that comment, no I'm not kidding..I wouldn't kid about something like this. Music is extreamly important to me, and while I know that I'll never go anywhere with it because of my mediocre skill level, I can still aspire towards it. Playing the oboe is another step towards it, even if the current limits on it are ludacris, I plan on sticking with it as my 2nd instrument.
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2002-01-30 04:26
With a good teacher and a few years... Its do-able. I tried it in HS without a good teacher. The result was laughable! (Yes, I was (and still am) a decent clarinetist.)
The embouchure, reed care and adjustment, and fingering (the oboe breaks on 8s, not 12) are completely diferent from the clarinet. It also is a concert pitch (C) instrument. Much easier to pick up as a doubler instrument are any of the harmony clarinets, or sax.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-01-30 04:41
Amanda -
I did not mean to offend you. For that, I apologize.
I did mean that three weeks to learn the oboe, or any instrument for that matter... well, that's asking an awful lot -- of anybody. You certainly show a lot of determination and I admire you for that, I really do. With that kind of resolve I can't imagine you *not* rising to your aspirations... and beyond.
Anyone who, for whatever reason(s), tackles the oboe automatically wins my total respect. I wish you well.
- ron b -
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