Author: d-oboe
Date: 2006-07-22 01:04
Lucy,
Believe it or not, the weather wreaks more havoc on *you* than it does your reeds and your oboe - and as far as reeds go it's bad enough!
The thing is, the human body is extremely sensitive to climate changes. Our bodies are always adjusting to varying levels of barometric pressure, humidity, and of course temperature. The problem for us Canadians (I read that you are in BC) is that during the school year (sep-apr) we essentially play in the same type of climate: 21 degrees or so, and dry, because of indoor heating. Then, when summer comes along, it's go-with-the-flow time (unless you are under constant air conditioning, which I assume you're not). Even if your band room is air-conditioned, you will no doubt have come from the warmer and more humid outdoors.
The explanation to why this makes oboe playing very difficult during weather changes is that your blood vessels change according to what temperature it is. So, if tuesday, it's 23deg and 40% humidity, and then on wednesday you have warm thundershowers, and it's 29deg and 50% humidity (that level of humidity makes it feel like 34 degrees!) your lips will probably have no endurance when you go to play.
There is a way around it! I have mentioned it before on this post...but I forget where. Do an endurance exercise.
For an amateur I would suggest this:
Pick two scales, like D Major, and Db Major.
Then, over two octaves, play a string of 3 whole notes at mm. 60
like this:
d-e-f#
THEN
breathe out for one beat, in for one beat, and do the next notes
g-a-b
out 1, in 1
c#, d, e
and so on. when you have gone all the way to the top and back down to the original D, go right into Db major and do the same thing.
Your lips might be pretty dead by the end, but don't worry about staying too well in tune. Just try to be as steady as possible, and DON'T drop the note...even if it's wobbling like crazy. The objective is to KEEP BLOWING. Once you can do it easily, add another scale, and then start doing 4-note strings.
Before doing this, change into light clothing, and drink a good cup of water beforehand - you might get quite warm.
By doing this exercise, you not only increase general endurance and embouchure strength, it also allows you to play through when the weather changes. (even though you do the exercise, it still might feel weird while you play, but you should be able to get through without sounding bad)
D
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