Author: d-oboe
Date: 2006-08-07 19:32
I think there is a sort of duality in the reed world - an oboist has to be able to play on what they have, and/or they have to know how to adjust what they have.
Personally, I think as oboists we shouldn't deliberately play on our bad reeds. I think it's more worthwhile to learn how to fix these bad reeds to function properly (even if the sound isn't good) rather than forcing the embouchure to compensate. I used to always practice on my worst reed, but I realized that it really is a barrier to progress. Rather, I now dedicate a little more time each day to adjusting reeds so that all of my reeds work ok, instead of drudging through and practicing on junk.
Otherwise, what's the point? If the reed doesn't have basic function there is a broken link, and it becomes impossible to play properly. While I do believe an oboist can play normally on a well-functioning, but crummy sounding reed, I don't believe that an oboist can play on a malfunctioning reed. The reed just has to be stable, in tune, and must respond, otherwise proper playing cannot ensue.
I suppose if one wanted to develop an embouchure that was constantly compensating for a bad reed, one could, but I don't think a true, unscathed, undamped, uncovered oboe sound could ever result from that.
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