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Re: projection vs loud

Author: hautbois
Date: 2009-07-12 16:02

oboeobo -- Although I cannot claim to know exactly what the words which a teacher might have spoken to you were intended to convey, I can give you some thoughts based on my experience of many decades as principal of a professional orchestra.

There are times when the principal oboe should 'penetrate' the texture of the orchestra, and there are times when it should blend and support the orchestra. And there are times when the oboe playing must be soloistic. The awareness of where to play how requires taste and judgment, learned from teachers, experience, listening to others, and inherent apptitude.

To 'penetrate' an oboist can concentrate on focusing the sound. The construction of the reed and the quality of the instrument are of course relevant. The reed needs to be versatile enough to accomodate the varying styles which might be required in the music to be performed. Generally avoid reeds with too 'husky' a color, as it will not project, regardless of how loud it sounds to the player, and does not usually provide soloistic characteristics when needed. Conversely, some reed which have total clarity might not sufficiently permit varying color shadings and dynamics. If you are not making your own reeds you may be handicapped in this regard.

Also to 'penetrate', the oboist needs to have a well developed breath support system. If you are not certain if your breath support is working adequately, I suggest you check whether your shoulders move upwards when you take a breath. That would indicate that you are using a shallow support system, and need to concentrate on taking the breath more deeply into the lungs (which is not the same as taking in a greater quantity air -- that should also be avoided) and to keep your shoulders still while breathing. You should also make certain that all of your abdominal muscles are strong. Before I retired (in my 60s) I seriously did 300 crunches of varying sorts daily.

And finally, to 'penetrate', the oboist needs an instrument which has the ability to do that. Some instruments just have a smaller sound.

Elizabeth

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