Author: d-oboe
Date: 2005-11-10 03:33
I will disagree with the loudness factor...not just for the sake of disagreeing, but for the sake of reinforcing better habits in younger generations....
First of all the oboe is NOT a trumpet. There is a wooden reed that makes the sound. That reed can only take so much force before it seizes - the tone will literally stop because of force. Now most people don't *try* to do this, but by forcing and blasting the tone, the same effect happens, but to a lesser degree, in that it actually makes it project LESS. (Not what we want). A projecting tone is relaxed, open and smooth. What some call "amplified pianissimo".
To play over a string section for a solo, one needn't do more than have a reed that vibrates very well, and then just relax, open up, and blow calmly. I have spoken to my colleagues who play in the symphony and they don't feel they are forcing or pushing the sound, yet, I always hear them clear as a bell. Conversely, I know other oboe players who sound incredibly loud when sitting next to them in a rehearsal, but when listening from the hall, they barely make it past the first few rows.
Some might think this to be voodoo, but it all has to do with resonance.
A solo-chamber player probably wouldn't *focus* as much on developing their resonance as a symphonic player would. This doesn't necessarily mean they don't have a dynamic range, it just means that their tone doesn't have to carry through a large hall.
Similarly, an orchestral player might not focus on the quietest of playing because it just isn't necessary in ensemble playing.
maybe this answers one of your questions Suzan?
D
|
|
The Oboe BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
