Author: RobinDesHautbois
Date: 2012-07-05 10:54
"I believe that a realy good instrument would make a difference to me."
=> That is very well said, but it is also a difficult thing to define. Again, A Dupin Imperial is not necessarily better than a Yamaha, especially for the beginner.
"...how many hours a year does one practice."
=> Just be very careful not to compare oboe with clarinet. I only played clarinet for about 6 months and I hated it. --- I love to hear it, but not play it --- I hated the way it blows... the feeling in my chest and throat when I blow. But several clarinet players have tried the oboe and hate it for the same reasons!
You mentioned breaking bad reeds. I recommend you keep them and do reed exercises. I have the opportunity to walk to work. While walking, I carry bad reeds and "buzz" them to practice breath support, articulation, embouchure, dynamics and endurance. Because there is no oboe, I don't care how I sound. Because the reed is bad, I don't care if I break it while walking.
=> for me, this is the only warm-up time I have in the day. I earn a living with computers, so I can only practice 30 minutes a day and not every day. But the best oboists I have known practiced 6 hours a day as advanced students.... I don't know how much when they started.
Your idea of "devotion" is interesting. Instead of hours, think of the goals you want to attain and practice for that. Today, I think it is possible to practice less and improve more. I let my ears tell me if I'm sounding the way I want to or not. I never get discouraged anymore, I just correct myself.
At the beginning YOU WILL SOUND BADLY: this is normal. Just patiently go through it while you gain strength and practice good habits. A teacher is really important for this.
Robin Tropper
M.A.Sc., B.Mus., B.Ed.
http://RobinDesHautbois.blogspot.ca/music
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