Author: oboist2
Date: 2021-07-04 02:50
I do not think that I push out when playing with my abdominal muscles, but I tighten those muscles to make a "floor" or foundation and envisage directing the air column up. I broaden or narrow the column by tightening the side muscles. Do not take in too much air, and do not raise or lower your shoulders when you breathe, but try and "breathe" through your abdomen. There are more theories than you can pole a stick at, with breathing but in my mind, if you treat those lower abdominal muscles as a floor or foundation, you can't go wrong. The closest "feeling" for me, is to imagine you are swimming under water. and as you are swimming, purse your lips and allow a little air to escape. With the oboe, it is surprising how little air you use, and it is important to remember to breathe out, as well as in. If you take in a lot of air, this means that there is a lot of air to expel. I do hope that this helps....but remember, this is the way I do it and think about it, and you will hear many other ideas on your oboe journey. I try to maintain this degree of support on all notes. Do you practise long notes and scales regularly? The long notes need to be done in different durations, decrescendos and crescendos and all dynamics, right across the range of the oboe that you can play. Each has its own feeling, resistance and response. THis is the most valuable thing to include in your practise. When working on stdues and pieces, mark in your breath points, and whether or not they are exhale , inhale or both points. Make sure these coincide with the phrase you are playing. it often helps to sing through it first, this may help. Be prepared to work on these in short concentrated bursts and after time, you will become more at ease with it. Do not regard yourself as untalented. Oboe playing is something that is not inherently "natural" for most of us, and even after 50 years of playing, I am constantly thinking and refining. Good luck in your journey.
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