Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-06-01 15:35
Robin and others,
All the comments I have read and received have been invaluable to me as a performer and oboist. It is nice to have discerning ears that are willing to impart their knowledge and offer advice, especially at a time where I am unable to afford the benefits of a good teacher.
As far as the C series and back pressure, truthfully, the C series had the most resistance of all that I tried, and I still find it a bit open. I believe I try to control the sound a little too much, probably because a lot of the music I play is so delicate. I have decided to play Chudnow CA nickel staples, which seem to feel bit more open than the Stephens 2, and opens up the tone slightly. It also brings up the pitch because more air is going through the instrument, and I seem to play sharp on even 71mm lengths. This will be quite a service to me when performing with cold trumpet players.
John Symer seemed to let me believe that the C series bore is more narrrow than the modern Loree design, and consequentially, may even be slightly longer than the modern Loree. I think this may be true, because of all the oboes I tried on my oboe stand, the C series was the only one that would pick up the stand when I tried to remove it. I think I may need to sand the stand a bit, this would not be good come performance time.
And it is really a strange phenomenon, but I was talking to Mr. Symer, and I think my notes at the bottom of the instrument are sharp, and I have to lip down low Bb, but Mr. Symer seemed to think the normal case is to play flat in this register. It is true that all the other instruments I tried seemed to play "normally".
I hope at the end of the year I would make a passable and hopefully considered professional oboist. I have approached all the instruments I play, that I would like my tone to sound authentic to the instrument, that I'd hope if I show up to a gig just playing oboe alone (or clarinet, sax or flute), that I could convince those around me that it is the only instrument I play. The road is however quite long. There are many instruments in my room that have been sitting a while, patiently waiting for the oboe to catch up to them, so they can all grow together. And there is still work to be done on all of them.
Hmm...that was a bit long winded. A side effect of working too hard. Sorry about that.
Drew S.
|
|
The Oboe BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
