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: Best advice/worst advice

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

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics