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: Players, oboes, and reeds

Author: jhoyla
Date: 2017-08-21 18:28

Because you say you have the same problem with your teacher's reeds I assume the issue is with embouchure.

A problem I have seen with at least one flautist who tried oboe was that she did not develop the necessary musculature in her lips to hold the reed gently but firmly. She compensated by biting. Is this your problem? Flautists work hard to remove all tension in the lips - oboists need to do the opposite. We develop really, really strong lip muscles, and use them!

Try just sealing around the reed with no more than 2-3mm of tip projecting into your mouth.
Keep your jaw as open as possible, seal with your lips, push your wind from the bottom of your belly and feel the air-pressure pushing up the roof of your mouth cavity. Control the flow of air from your belly, shoulders relaxed, throat relaxed.

Keep the seal but don't squeeze the reed! Practice rolling the reed into and out of your mouth while playing a low G. Consciously lower the pitch as far as you can - how low can you go, before it starts to sound choked? How low can you get that note?

Now staying with that low pitch, try crescendo decrescendo on that note, keeping the pitch constant. gently tongue quarter notes as you increase and decrease in volume. Try doing this for F, then E, then D.

Do this for a couple of months and you'll be fine

Hope this helps!
J.

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics

Author

Date

Players, oboes, and reeds new

Jim22

2017-08-17 06:17