Author: d-oboe
Date: 2006-07-25 23:32
The one thing I do somewhat disagree with is the straw exercises/fibercane reed exercises - it encourages a gripping, or "holding on to" of the reed. In reality the reed is meant to be freely blowing in loose lips. (American style that is!) It is supported by the oboe, which is supported by the right hand.
I think the best practice is to use the real reed, blowing into it, feeling how the embouchure acts as a complement to the air, rather than "developing the embouchure" abstractly, and separately from the oboe. Embouchure development is not solely strength, nor is it solely flexibility NOR is it a simple combination of the two. A trained embouchure is one that is flexible enough, and strong enough (these are whole and seperate entities!!!) to deal with, and make small corrections to, the tremendous power of the wind.
If the embouchure is giving out frequently - one must ask why, rather than simply accept it as fact and stop playing for the day.
-Do I have a bad reed?
-Am I not blowing enough, and therefore compensating by biting?
-Am I working too much: blowing too little/much for the given dynamic?
-is the oboe leaking?
-is the reed leaking?
If any of these are true...fix them! Of course, a leaky reed usually ends up going head first into the table!!!!!
The thing is, endurance/embouchure strength itself is something that doesn't really take very long to achieve. (consequently, and unfortunately, it is VERY easily lost - frequent practice is the remedy) The problem usually lies in playing incorrectly for extended periods of time.
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