The Oboe BBoard

The Oboe BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Re: Thin sounding high notes

Author: my58vw
Date: 2005-09-07 05:30

Thank You again,

I do not know if I mentioned it here but I have quite extensive playing history, but on the wrong side of the fence if you will. I played flute when I was younger (elementry age) and never really liked the timbre of the instrument. My father who said that "boys should play brass" (he plays a trumpet) and I started playing trombone, all through high school. I have played the last few years in a jazz ensomble but the trombone just is not "fun" anymore, and I started looking for something that would bring the emotion back into music, and finding the "approprate timbre" was key.

I have played almost every instrument in the woodwind and brass family, particulary because I like to compose music and understanding the key aspects of each instrument is key, like those annoying fingerings for clarinet, flute, sax, and now expecially oboe (without the benefit of a left hand F key), I have a larilee 225W, intermediate with the low Bb key but no left F.

I have only been playing for about two weeks, but after about the second day the "oboe timbre" started coming out of the instrument, and it is beautiful. I find the fingerings very simular to flute and I have really started getting a feel for the instrument. Two weeks ago I could play about 15 minutes max, several times a day, and with a little time off the second day that is improving. My strength to play a legato (or even a more stacato phrase) is getting better, although my embechure gives out at about 30 - 45 seconds of continous playing without a bar of rest or so, getting better.

I think the thiness of the high notes is more of a factor of not just the reed (I am using med soft) but the fatigue in my mouth. After a given time I just can not blow the sustained speed and volume needed for the higher notes. My range though has gotten better, I am constintly hitting the C above the staff, where as a week ago I was only hitting the G right above the staff. My range on the low end has improved and I am able to get decient intonation down to low d and c - low Bb are playable. I have learned that a tuner never lies and have been playing with it a bit to help on the tuning end. I have also been playing around with some cool solos that I love so much, like the solo at the beginning of variations on a Korean Folk Song.

I am finding my biggest challenge right now is the attacks in the 1st octive, expecially G and below. I know it will all come in time, and I am looking forward to my first lesson in a few weeks. Shoot I love the oboe so much it might be the only thing I play...

Thanks again for everyones help and support...

Michael

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics