Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2010-12-13 12:27
Hi Dean,
I agree with what both of the other posters have written, but might want to add something here.
Whether the bit about "adding overtones" is correct or not, it seems to me that there is someone, or more than one person, who is trying to tactfully tell you that your tone production needs work -- that it doesn't sound good, even though you are in tune.
Trouble is, there are just about as many ways to make a bad-sounding oboe tone as there are people who play the oboe. Without hearing you, or knowing what your particular issue is, it's hard to give advice. I could make some guesses, but it would be better if you could get someone who is a decent oboist to listen to you.
Which brings me to my first question: do you have an oboe teacher? If not, that would be your first line of action, IMO. Bite the bullet, get some lessons, and explain to the teacher what others are telling you. This would be, I guarantee you, the quickest way you will figure it out.
I second, also, what Jeremy has said about the reeds. If you are buying cheap (under about $15) machine made reeds, you need to find a source of good, handmade reeds. Check out http://reedreviews.net/, or do a search on this board (search function is up on the top center, above the first post in the thread) for reeds that people recommend.
Third, read up on oboe tone production. "The Art of Oboe Playing" by Sprenkle and Ledet is the standard text, and widely available for not much $$. Here's a Google books link to it: http://books.google.com/books?id=O9rOokYwJ1sC&lpg=PA32&ots=Hhe4U2OcMa&dq=oboe%20tone%20production&pg=PA32#v=onepage&q=oboe%20tone%20production&f=false
There are all sorts of articles online, too. Just Google "oboe tone production" and you will find plenty to read.
Good luck! You CAN get better!
Susan
EDIT: You may have to copy and paste that Sprenkle link. I can't get it to go live.
|
|
The Oboe BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
