 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: pisces71
Date: 2015-03-13 19:32
Greetings oboists,
So I have this issue re: embouchure where I tend to apply too much pressure downwards on my reed, in particular when I need to hit the upper registers and/or when I've been playing for a while and my facial muscles give out.
I've been taking private lessons for about 9 months now and can produce a very nice tone as my teacher remarks frequently. However, she points out that my lips should hold the reed with just enough pressure to form a seal so air does not leak out. When I ask her how I can stop the clamping down of my reed, her reply is that some players have this tendency and with effort and time will hopefully eliminate this problem.
My instructor provides reeds with approx a "medium" resistance which she thinks is appropriate for me.
So is this simply an issue of building up my embouchure stamina or something psyschological, or a bit of both?
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Author: jhoyla
Date: 2015-03-15 14:26
Quote:
So is this simply an issue of building up my embouchure stamina or something psyschological, or a bit of both? Option C. biting is a habit but if your chops give out on you, you have no choice - bite, or bow out. You never want to be in that position.
I have an exercise that helps develop your lip-strength without using a reed - it works for me, YMMV.
1. With your mouth and jaw closed, extend and pucker your lips as if you are about to blow a stage-kiss; hold this position.
2. Now, tighten the corners of your lips - your lips now look like a poor imitation of Donald Duck. Hold. Pretty soon you'll be feeling the same muscle fatigue you get when you're playing ..
3. Keeping those lips extended and the corners tight, waggle your "beak" left and right, up and down. Imagine you are holding a reed with the edge of your "beak" and try to flatten it using only the strength in your lips. Hold for as long as you can. Feel that burn?
Repeat three or four times, then relax.
Do this a couple of times in front of a mirror so that you know how silly you look 
One last thing. While you are playing you should be releasing your embouchure as often as possible. Get used to only holding your embouchure when you are actually playing. At all other times your lips should be completely relaxed, mouth open, encouraging the blood flow to invigorate your lip muscles.
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Author: pisces71
Date: 2015-03-16 06:37
jhoyla,
Thanks for the tip, i'll try it. And you're right, I noticed that I tend to "bite" when my chops or embouchure gives out, so in effect compensating by biting down the reed with my lips.
Sam
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