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Teaching an "old" dog new tricks!

Author: Herakles82
Date: 2008-05-03 05:08

Hi everyone! I'm 49 and started taking oboe lessons in July of 2007. As a child I learned the clarinet and played until finishing my sophomore year in high school (average ability). I always had a yearning to learn the oboe and the opportunity presented itself and I seized it. I enjoy playing very much even though I'm still an "infant" in the ways of the oboe.

When I began lessons my instructor wanted me to have a long term goal to shoot for as an incentive and something to look forward to. In July 2008 I will be participating in a "side by side" recital - teacher and student performing together (4-5 different pieces).

I've seen one of the pieces entitled "Agua's Whelm" and am wondering what I've gotten myself into. My teacher has told me that this is one of the less harrowing of the selections I will be expected to perform. I found the piece online and am listening to it now. YIKES! The dilemma: I was never very good with reading music, but we're working on that, and my dexterity leaves a lot to be desired. I can perform simple melodies with a modicum of success, but this material threatens to undo my sanity. The sad part is that this selection has segments which are simple scales up and down, but the speed with which they are performed challenge me beyond my present level of ability. Although my teacher tells me that she feels I can be ready in time.

The questions I have for everyone is this: What can I do to improve my fingering abilities so that I may keep up with my teacher and not embarrass myself into exile? Has anyone faced similar problems? Also the development of my emboucher poses some difficulties in that my endurance is woefully lacking. Making it through a simple exercise can sometimes make my cheeks and lips feel like they are losing muscle control.

Not making excuses for myself, but one obstacle that may be a problem is the oboe "bore"? size. I play on a Selmer Signet student model and it seems to be made for smaller fingers; my fingers are shorter, but somewhat thicker than can be applied comfortably on this instrument. I feel that I am fighting myself sometimes. Although Kathie, my teacher, says I am being too hard on myself and have made significant progress considering the amount of time I've been playing. RELAX is her big advice for me.

Thanks for any help all of you can offer.

Sincerely,

Chuck
Butler, PA

P.S. If it helps I started my studies in the "Accent on Achievement" book and progressed to the Gekler (book #2) and Neiman books. So far, so good.

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