 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: sifro
Date: 2013-05-25 20:40
Hi everyone,
I'm new here and I'd like to introduce myself as I'll probably stick around for some time...
My name is Simone, I used to be a classical guitarist (6th year in conservatory) but about 18months ago i started having some wrist problems that don't let me play as i would.
After realizing that this thing was kind of un-solvable, I began trying to find some alternatives... took a few sax, singing and trumpet lessons, but for a reason or another, none of these instruments really worked out. I'm still enrolled in the classical guitar class, but i'm not sure whether to go on or not.
A few days ago i had the chance to listen to Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez, with a beautiful english horn solo, and.. wow, why didn't i think about it before? I still hadn't tried the oboe!
So i listened to some more reportoire for oboe & horn, realized it's pretty cool, contacted our conservatory teacher to know if she could give me a few lessons to see how it goes with my wrist, asked for the permission to borrow the conservatory's instrument and.. today i had my first lesson!
I'm quite happy for how it went (maybe the sax background helped me a little bit): we started by doing some whistles with the reed only, and then a few notes on the instrument with some tonguing also.
I was a bit scared at first because everyone told me that the double reed is quite an issue, but everything sorted out to be above my expectations.. we started with long tones on the B note, went down to the C, then back up to B and finally up all the way to the higher C (or B, don't remember really).
So basically 2 octaves, which is good compared to my first-day extension on sax and trumpet... i was expecting to struggle to get 2 or 3 notes, so i'm satisfied!
What do you think?
Well this was the good part... of course there will be lots of problems... for example, as i'm not a "regular" oboe student, but just a guitar one, i can't take the oboe at home, nor i can borrow it if the teacher is not in the conservatory. That means just 2 days\week to practice, at least for the moment.
Plus, the biggest problem is that i'm 22... and picking up an instrument at this age is kind of complicated considering my ambitions. But I guess i shouldn't think about it, yet...
Well, that's all for now. Nice to meet you!
ps: as you've probably noticed, english is not my first language, so please forgive my mistakes
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-05-25 21:12
Are you able to rent or borrow an oboe for your own personal use? See if any music shops nearby offer oboes for rental as you really need to get one to make progress.
I took up oboe again when I was 25 after a ten year hiatus, so it's never too late to (re)learn.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2013-05-27 23:45
Hello Simone!
I had the pleasure of actually playing that Rodrigo concerto last weekend, and since I am the principal oboist, I assigned the EH solo to myself! I truly coveted the opportunity to play it -- and I did it famously, by all reports.
I am at the opposite end of my musical life from you, and did not take up oboe until I was 60. and thus never intended to play for a living (which is what you want to do, no?) The best thing I hear is that you went right away to a teacher!
I don't have any idea as to whether you might be able to become competitive in the professional oboe ranks. It think it would be possible, but it might be a long shot. On the other hand, I am quite sure that, given enough motivation, you could become a very successful oboist in a few years' time (or possibly even less).
What are your career goals?
Susan
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Author: sifro
Date: 2013-06-04 15:13
Hi,
sorry for the late reply, i though i was going to get notifications in case of replies, but appearently i was wrong
Anyway, i found 2 oboes to rent... one is cheap, 240EUR for 6 months, but is too basic, and another one is good, but for 420EUR... i'll decide which one to take this week.
Yes my goal is to be a musician and do it for a living.
Maybe playing not only the oboe, but also the guitar, which is still my main instrument, even considering all the problems with the wrist.
Anyway progresses are quite nice so far, and i'm really looking forward to rent my oboe, as 2 practice days \ week are definitely not enough.
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2013-06-04 16:15
I will play Devil's advocate and all around opinion you don't want to hear on the subject. It's important to have as full an understanding as possible.
Music just to perform is very difficult to make a living at. Those musicians that can do that in this world can be counted on two hands. Even then, they are involved helping to design new instruments or teaching or other things. From what I remember, Chris above repairs instruments as well as plays every woodwind under the sun. How he makes his musical living will be quite different from you. Very many of us here are hobbyists, playing in community or better ensembles, but it is not our main source of income. Some of us resell instruments, or make reeds, or have an oboe supply business. Some of us work in Computers, or are retired from jobs outside of music. All very admirable ways to supplement your life as a musician.
Step one, what music do you see yourself performing as a career?
Step two, if it is a historic style, who are the performers performing this style? If it is a new style, skip to step four.
Step three, how did these performers get their start? What are they doing now? Are they doing anything else to earn a living outside of this one act? Can you get in touch with them about helping you get started? Do you have any other links to the field that can help you get started?
Step four, understand that you are a paid performer because you can do something nobody else can do. If someone can do it better than you, than you will be replaced. Are you prepared for this? Do you have what it takes to be the best, in the world? Out of 7,120,934,995 people you will be top 10 in oboe playing (or classical guitar)?
I realize I may not be winning any friends by saying this, nor am I trying to be a jerk. If you got to step four and answered yes, then well done, I wish you good luck. If you have any doubt, well, maybe do a double major, something to fall back on or earn some money as you grow as a musician.
Consequently the folks on this board are a great help to those wanting to grow as an oboist. I encourage you to keep asking questions. They have been a great help to me.
Drew S.
http://www.youtube.com/user/DrewSorensenMusic
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Author: Trond.Bjarne
Date: 2013-06-09 23:14
Hi Simone
I have a problem with my wrist and fingers if i work hard physically.
While playing Oboe i newer had any problem with my wrist´s.
Only if i practice six hours I experience pains in my joint of the right hand thumb.
I belive the oboe is easy on the hands healtwise. Maybe others here could fill in their experiences healtwise with regards to their hands holding the instrument?
Trond-Bjarne Klungseth Johnsen
Norway
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Author: plclemo
Date: 2013-06-11 12:39
Good for you! I was 49 when I started taking oboe lessons after 40 years of playing the clarinet. I am 53 now.
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