Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2013-05-23 03:24
Alan,
The fingering transfer from clarinet to oboe wasn't all that difficult (although I still, from time to time, find myself reverting to the clarinet equivalent). My biggest problem has been getting my embouchure LOOSE enough -- yes, I had some pretty good clarinet chops at the outset, but the oboe requires LESS lip pressure and LESS air than the clarinet, and that has been the major adjustment -- to learn not to blow so hard, not to "bite", and not to play on too-hard, unresponsive reeds.
One of my favorite nuggets of wisdom that I have found online is in this article http://www.asboa.org/Resources/GozaOboe_Article.pdf, in the section on embouchure. To wit,
"The most important principle of embouchure formation is this: the oboe is played in a basically open mouth, not with lip-covered teeth."
When I finally absorbed this, all the rest of the technique -- mouth shape, abdominal support, even tonguing and clean fingering -- just sort of fell into place. Keep that jaw dropped and that pharyx OPEN. The lips are just a seal around the reed to prevent the air from escaping -- nothing more.
Wish I had figured that out about 8 years ago!
Susan
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