 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: Oboe Craig
Date: 2012-08-19 23:50
Robin,
I have been concentrating on flute this summer. And it think there are some very good implications for oboe endurance in that.
The very forward flute embouchure....
It started to creep into my oboe playing, had some minor impacts on my reed tip design and it made the oboe much easier to play.
Not that I've not heard to take in less reed over the years, but it is really finally happening. And the rather slight differences in reed design, mostly tip things, has made a really positive difference.
Included in that: response, ease of articulation, stable pitch and dynamic range.
It should probably not take so many decades to get to this point, but still, I am grateful for the progress. Always more to learn.
-Craig
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Author: KJC
Date: 2012-08-20 11:05
I've just taken up the oboe again after a long, long, long break. I found your blog and have really enjoyed reading about your experience and listening to your progress as you play. You have great details and illustrations about the latest advances in oboe music and oboes that are really interesting and helpful. I've been playing for three weeks now and am making my way through some oboe method books again, mainly the Barret melodies and scale practice. I'm starting lessons soon and will be playing in a band starting next month--really excited! Keep posting.
KJC
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Author: RobinDesHautbois
Date: 2012-08-24 10:50
Thanks Craig,
Yes, I agree with what you are saying completely. In fact, I have found it easier to play both loudly and softly with a more forward embouchure..... perhaps "free" embouchure is better termed. Thing is, this requires really stable reeds..... and stable oboe!
You play a Covey: I've only tried one at a weekend exhibit. I found it had a feeling of resistance at first, but this gave way to a feeling of relaxation. If I recall the instrument was perfectly stable, thus allowing for freer blowing and crowing reeds.
Lorées from the 1980's/90's (mine) have such trouble with stability that reeds have to be perfect, or else facial strenght becomes a real Olympian feat! Mind you, the weather over here , this week, has gotten more temperate and both oboe and reeds are behaving much more easily than a few weeks ago...
Robin Tropper
M.A.Sc., B.Mus., B.Ed.
http://RobinDesHautbois.blogspot.ca/music
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Author: RobinDesHautbois
Date: 2012-08-24 10:53
Thank you for the compliments KJC, this is what I hope for the most: that the postings be useful and encouraging to others.
Remember that the most important thing is to enjoy your playing - both in terms of what you are doing and what you are hearing (coming out of the instrument). It's too easy to become frustrated: when that happens, take a step back and try to figure it out.... something's not right and there is an activity or attitude that needs to be fixed.
I (know how to) play quite a few instruments, but the oboe seems to be the voice of my soul: so that's what I choose to spend my time on.
Best of luck with band and Barrett and you keep us posted too!
Robin Tropper
M.A.Sc., B.Mus., B.Ed.
http://RobinDesHautbois.blogspot.ca/music
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Author: KJC
Date: 2012-08-25 17:08
Robin,
I've been an attorney for over 20 years...so I 'm not that young. My husband and I moved to Florida a couple of years ago for his job and I'm just doing nonprofit work (meaning I'm working for free). You are right about exercise. I did get out of shape for a while and it did somewhat adversely affect my health, but am now in great shape with pilates and jogging. I got a clean bill of health from the doc yesterday. It would be harder for anyone out of shape to play the oboe because of the need for strong lungs and abs. I'm working on my endurance on the oboe too. I find that after playing for an hour that the air will start involuntarily escaping out my nose sometimes!! I played the oboe from the age of 10 until I was 20 continually and had lessons. I was picked for all-state band (not much competition for this in the 1980's Oklahoma though). I have a way to go on my oboe playing proficiency, but I, like you, really love the oboe and hope to improve and become a respectable amateur player.
Cheers,
KJC
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