Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-08-01 13:13
Also use a reed that's of a strength that YOU are comfortable with - not too tough or too soft and buzzy, but one that will respond to the lightest tongueing and easy to keep in tune across the entire range.
Using too hard a reed will only make the tongueing more forceful to get it to speak which will cause a hard and 'quacky' attack - and difficult to control in anything less than mp without it either being too loud or packing up, or making a controlled diminuendo right down to nothing.
Also a reed that's too soft will certainly 'quack' if tongued too hard, so it's all a question of getting the right balance between the reed strength, tongueing, embouchure, breath control, nerves, instrument, weather, and all other factors that are set to try us.
Now I wonder what ever convinced me to take up oboe when it's probably the most demanding and picky of all the instruments I play because of the reeds? Stupidity? No, it's just I've always been passionate about this particular instrument, and I'm going to put up with it's quirks (and quacks!).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2007-08-01 13:21)
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