 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: Craig Matovich
Date: 2006-11-23 02:41
How about a little discussion of best oboe advice and/or worst oboe advice we've received from teachers and friends along the way?
I would prime this a bit by saying I never received anything but well-intended advice as far as I know. Some turned out wise and some went a bit sour...
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Author: Dutchy
Date: 2006-11-23 14:12
Heh. Nobody ever listened to you play and then politely suggested you consider taking up the clarinet instead, or maybe even the saxophone? :D
The best advice I've ever received (and still continue to receive) is Evelyn Rothwell's book.
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Author: oboemoboe
Date: 2006-11-23 15:54
The worst advice I've ever received was in grade 7, BEFORE I started to play oboe. We were making our 3 instrument choices and oboe was at the top of my list (actually, it was my 3 choices!), but my teacher didn't want me to play it, he thought I was too shy, but I finally got it and was happy. Then, in grade 11, when that same teacher found out I was auditionning for 2 colleges and the Montreal Conservatoire, he called my mom and told her it would be a good thing if she dicouraged me from entering those schools, because I didn't have any chance of getting in, let alone becoming a professionnal musician. Well, I got in to the 3 schools, chose the Conservatoire, studied there for 6 years before changing schools to obtain my Master's degree. Up until a month ago, I played quite a bit, and pretty much everywhere in the province and ahd 18 students (22 last year!). But I gave all of that up for one year because I landed a position in Cavalia, an equestrian megaproduction with live musicians (pop band+ cello and oboe). The music is really niice and poetc. So now, I get to learn about pop music and play in Nevada and California before touring Europe starting next spring. Barock'n'roll!
So yeah, young oboists if you really want to play oboe and believe in yourself, it can happen. Believe me.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2006-11-23 17:19
The thing that probably slowed me down (as in, made my learning curve steeper than necessary) most is not having put myself in the hands of an *oboe* teacher from the get-go.
I first thought I could "do it myself" by reading a lot. Wrong. There is a whole lot of conflicting information even from respected sources. And as a beginner, you don't realize if you are reading a tract meant for British oboists or Dutch oboists or German oboists or American oboists. Although there is a tendency toward a more homogenous oboe sound these days, different "schools" have different rules. For example, there is a significant variety of opinion about the angle at which the oboe should be held -- everything from up like a trumpet to down like a clarinet, and all points in between.
The other thing I didn't realize about trying to read myself into becoming an oboist is that ideas and standards change. What was state-of-the-art American practice in, say, 1950, is often hopelessly passe now.
When I realized that I needed a teacher, I chose to go to a person (a lovely, wonderful person) who was a generic "double reed" teacher, and a bassoonist by training. She told me quite frankly at our first meeting that I already knew a whole lot more about the oboe than she did. That should have been my clue to keep looking. I won't say that I totally wasted the year I spent with her. I learned a lot of repertoire, and appreciated her positive encouragement, but my oboe technique did not improve.
I'm now 10 months into my first year with a real oboist, and the improvement in my playing has been dramatic. It's not as much fun as it was, studying with my free-abnd-easy bassoonist friend, but very gratifying to be progressing, finally, in the direction of excellence.
Susan
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Author: Craig Matovich
Date: 2006-11-23 19:43
After many good teachers, good books, good recordings ( lots) of good recordings plus all the self-study and interactions with oboe friends and colleagues ... things work pretty well, but there is always more to learn, some new discovery to make. I think that is one reason I like this so much.
If Herndon, Va is really where you are from ( based on your ISP), I pretty much grew up oboe-wise near and around there.
I studied with David Busch as a starter, David Miller my first semester in college in Md., Cathy Goeke at the Army/Navy School of music in Va., Richard Rubenstein while playing in the First Army Band, Dr. Leo Settler and Ron Erler while studing at Shenandoah Conservatory after the Army, and Dick White while doing my master's degree. Dick White was probably my personal Yoda in terms of refining my oboe playing, but the others did their parts to get me ready for the higher-level study.
Along the way, seminars and master classes with John Mack and John DeLancie were incredible and certainly both payed homage to their Yoda Mr. Tabeteau.
Playing with others also taught valuable lessons, both about oboe and artistic temperment. I usually manage to walk away having learned something new or to challange something old.
I name all them because in each case there are several things I learned from each of them, appropriate to the long learning curve of oboe and of music. I hope to share them alsong this discussion as it ensues.
I would also like to hear of other's legacy of learning and its heritage since so much is pass down through the generations.
Meanwhile, happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the US or inclined to its celebration! Otherwise, happy reeds.
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Author: Craig Matovich
Date: 2006-11-28 19:59
One piano teacher did ask if I would not perhaps be more interested in playing sports.
I was a pretty miserable classical piano student I will admit, but avid about jazz piano and just could not find a teacher doing that during junior high school days.
Between then and graduate school when I finally had a great jazz piano teacher, I tortured many piano teachers, literally bringing one to tears.
(But that is another story...)
Fortunately, I always took classical oboe seriously and for my jazz interests with oboe found other ways to satify my curiosity.... listening to good jazz sax, Paul McCandless, etc.
At least I think I never made an oboe teacher cry.
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