Author: vboboe
Date: 2005-06-26 19:56
Addendum re: elbows sticking out -- y'mean some oboes think they "should" tuck their elbows in ...? Well I never did, said Alice ...
... you definitely can't play oboe in the same position as clarinet, you have to get it up higher, but not as high as trumpet or flute (heh heh heh)
"Official" oboe posture is 45 degrees -- oboe about 45 out front, and elbows about the same sideways, because have to hold oboe airily and lightly at 45 for optimum chest expansion space ... exact mathematical angle isn't the issue, but suitable angle for reed in your individual embouchure is what really matters, oboe is simply the extension line of that angle ... how you maintain that angle in posture for optimum playing tone may need some muscle development ...
... the "bad habits" are slumped neck and spine posture, shoulders hunched forwards, cramped chest and belly muscles, tightly tucked-in elbows ... perhaps as a compromise to seat crowding, music stand in the way of oboe held out there, muscle fatigue, age-related gravitational attraction, or misguided notions ... and the worst bad habit of all ... drac bite on the reed!
... remember to sit up tall (set your music stand at maximum height to suit your best posture)
... stretch all your spinal disks, pecs up, shoulders natural level, shoulder blades gently reaching for each other in your back, neck-bones stretched upwards gently to elongate throat, crown of head the highest peak (this means your face is tilted slightly downwards in compassionate gaze like buddha) ... lower jaw tucked a little bit behind upper jaw to help forming good embouchure ... lower belly abs & pelvis tucked gently towards lower lumbar back-bone ... both feet on the floor ... it's military bearing ... or pilates ... or great-granny's deportment (except no nose in air) ... or more simply, good physical condition in optimum posture for oboe playing, I like to call all that "yo'bo'go" (yoga for oboe)
... you'd never get a trombone or a flute compromising their playing space, so oboes ... read from that music stand a bit off on one side, adjusted high,
(your peepers must still clearly see the baton) ... and claim your elbow room!
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