Author: d-oboe
Date: 2006-04-24 19:08
Don't worry about crushing your teeth.
Oboe doesn't require "biting." You shouldn't feel your jaw crushing together. To help strengthen your lips, do those exercises vboboe was talking about, but also try rolling your oboe reed in and out between your lips. Your mouth may get sore after 10-15 of these...that's fine. Try to keep going, but if not, rest or get on with life, and come back to it in an hour or two. (or four, whatever)
But...PLAY that oboe! That's the only way to get better. Even while you're reading this post, you could be practicing and be already on the track to success. What you need to do is STOP doubting and questioning what you can and cannot do, what problems existed before etc...STOP STOP STOP and just DO something. Play ONE note on the oboe. When you encounter something you can't do, devise a plan to solve. Be sneaky! Be creative! After all, it's YOUR oboe. If you have trouble finding a solution, that's where an oboe teacher comes in. (Do your best to find someone who is an actual oboist, not just a doubler. )
If you still feel uncomfortable reading music freely, perhaps try to find an adult music course you could enroll in. Many community/local colleges have these kinds of things.
But most importantly, and I will say this again and again....that self-doubt has to be trashed. If you start questioning yourself, just pick up the oboe, or the keyboard, or just start tapping. Activity instantly drowns out those debilitating feelings.
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