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Re: newbie

Author: d-oboe
Date: 2004-11-13 23:40

Hi vboboe! Welcome to the oboe club. You've definitely chosen an instrument worth pursuing! not like those saxophones!

Anyways, for your pitch concerns, I know where you're coming from! Oboe tends to be the worst instrument for learning correct relaxed breathing techniques. We get so nervous and push so hard to try to get sound, when what really needed to happen was some good ol' fashioned relaxin'!
Every sound you make should come at a point of relaxtion...no tension! There is a reason for this! That reason, is that as wind players, our bodies are the resonators, not the instruments. The oboe and reed are simply there to allow us have a sound that we enjoy, that's it.
If you focus on realllllly relaxing - I mean really - you will notice your playing improve right then 100%. I'm serious.

There is a method called the Alexander technique - it's for singers- and it is just fabulous for wind players. There may be someone in your area who is current on the technique. Ask around. What the technique comprises is how to best use the resonating spaces that are body has. It essentially helps free up the tone, and allows for effortless playing...something we all want!
When I first used Alexander in one of my practice sessions, I was dumbfounded. I couldn't believe at how drastic of a difference simple relaxing of muscles and opening of resonating cavities can make.

I should hope to put more info on Alexander up soon!

D-oboe

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