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Re: Dynamics?

Author: JRC
Date: 2011-02-20 15:24

It appears that some (or most here) consider practicing long sustaining notes to be a exercise of dynamics, producing loud and soft sound. Perhaps because it involves crescendos and decrescendos. We all should do it for 10-15 minutes at the beginning of every practice session.

It is indeed an important exercise for an oboist, not to practice making loud and soft sound, but to (1) sensitize the embouchure control while maintaining steady intonation in long sustaining notes, (2) breath and vibrato (long and short) control also while maintaining steady intonation and (3) producing and sustaining consistent (desired) tone under control while (you guessed it) maintaining steady intonation. I know some people practice quarter tone during this session. It makes sense. Practicing quarter tone helps to play in tune. It heightens the sense of intonation. I personally do it with notes octave apart. Because my sense of octave seems to be a bit sharp. Actually I noticed that most oboe players have the same problem, even the famous ones. So this exercise has more to do with tone, breath, and intonation control than dynamics. At least for me it is. It also calms me down and heightens all senses and muscles I use to produce music. I even listen better after this.

If I want a louder sound, I just blow harder. I do not need to practice that. It is pointless thing to do without the musical context.

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Dynamics? new

Theyoungoboist

2011-02-17 23:05