Oboe Question's...??

[Hawk Henries]

I mentioned in my introduction post that I am learning to play oboe. I have no teacher at the moment nor do I read music. What I do have is tremendous enthusiasm, perserverance and did I mention enthusiasm.
Also many questions that the manuals/book's may cover but would like to ask these question's to a living person.
So if oboe is what you play or have played are you open to sharing your knowledge?
Thanks

I wish you Peace
Hawk

 

[Contratrombone64]

Hawk ... get yourself a teacher, at least for a year or so. They will teach you the basics, including how to handle reeds (a big issue), breathing (so you don't hyperventilate), correct fingerings and approaches. As to learning to read music, just begin by learning the names of the notes on the stave ... easy, if you remember some basic helpful aides: Every Good Boy Deserves Fish ... FACE (that teaches you the lines and spaces on the treble clef).

 

[Corno Dolce]

Hello Hawk,

The Oboe and the French Horn are the two *toughest* solo-line instruments to learn how to play really musically. A thin column of air *under pressure* as a Hornplayer and an Oboist once told me. I laud your enthusiasm and willingness to strive to learn the instrument. I used to play the Horn quite a bit but my chops are more happy with the Contrabass Trombone. Is there no High School in your neighborhood which has a student orchestra or maybe a Community College or 4-year College or University with a music faculty?

Cheers,

Corno Dolce :tiphat::tiphat::tiphat::tiphat:

 

[Contratrombone64]

Sweet Corn - are you SERIOUS about having played the contrabass trombone? I'm stunned!

 

[Hawk Henries]

Ct64,

A teacher??? Surely you jest! Since I wrote that post I have mastered the oboe and have moved on to less mundane more challanging pursuit's...contr-bass kazoo

Ok obviously I'm just kidding. You're right about needing a teacher. Presently I am talking with someone who lives about 50 mile's from me. She is the closest oboist.
I have several book's that will be helpful. One I am using is a basic fingering chart. It is helpful in that correct finger position (on the key's) is demonstrated as well as the note's position on the staff.
One of the instrument's I play is Yidaki (didgeridoo). Have played for fifteen year's. Though it is not at all like oboe there are similarities. To make the drone your lip's have to be open "just right" and under pressure to get them vibrating-like the oboe reed somewhat. Playing flute's also helps. Both didg and flute have help me develop control of my breath.

Would you elaborate on "handling the reed's" ? I know one usually soak's them before playing. As I am writing I have the reed soaking in my mouth. Is this :crazy:.

Corno Dolce,

Our local school's have a band but no orchestra. The Bangor Symphony (office) is about 60 mile's away. Also the Pierre Monteux School for conductor's is around the corner, so to speak. I think there are many classical musicians in the general area I just have not met them ...YET
I live on the coast of Maine near Acadia Nat'l Park...in the stick's (country) yet close enough to Bar Harbor/Bangor.

 

[Corno Dolce]

Sweet Corn - are you SERIOUS about having played the contrabass trombone? I'm stunned!

Dear CT64,

I have two Contrabass Trombones in F(Ben van Dijk models), one with star valves and the other with Hagmann valves - both are a real joy to play - the one with Hagmann valves gives me goosebumps since the sound is so much smoother. Here's the web-url of the maker of my trombones:

http://www.thein-brass.de/index_en.php

Cheers,

CD :tiphat::tiphat::tiphat::tiphat:

 

[Contratrombone64]

Sweet Corn - next time I'm conducting Wagner's ring cycle I'll call you, ok?

 

[rojo]

Well, I played the oboe for a number of years, and I think Mat still does? Although I haven't mentioned it to him. :grin:

Question. Where are you getting your reeds?

You shouldn't soak the reed in your mouth before playing, you should soak it in clean water for a couple of minutes. It should make the reed stay cleaner/last longer. I used to carry around a little container for the water.

I used the time-honoured Barret method book to start learning, and a few others as well.

I've tried the flute, and the didgeridoo. Neither of them is all that much like the oboe where breathing is concerned...

The teacher should help a lot.

I miss playing oboe, (glorious vibrato!!!) but I can't do everything...

 

[Corno Dolce]

Hi CT64,

I like to play Renaissance A Capella Choral Music in Brasswind ensembles - the music of Jacobus Gallus being an outright fav of mine - Palestrina, Gabrieli, Tomas Luis de Victoria, Pablo Guerrero, Heinrich Isaac are others whose music is fun to play on Brasswinds.

Cheers,

CD :tiphat::tiphat::tiphat::tiphat:

 

[Mat]

So if oboe is what you play or have played are you open to sharing your knowledge?
Thanks

I wish you Peace
Hawk

I guess I am

Well, I played the oboe for a number of years, and I think Mat still does? Although I haven't mentioned it to him. :grin:

Well well well. Who would have thought?:grin: So, have you ever heard A. Pasculi's Oboe concerto? Absolutely fabulous... Rojo, my adventure with the oboe ended about two months ago. But my humble knowledge is still pretty "fresh". So I can help if I'll be able to.

You shouldn't soak the reed in your mouth before playing, you should soak it in clean water for a couple of minutes. It should make the reed stay cleaner/last longer. I used to carry around a little container for the water.

Amen. I used to carry around a container like that, too. Believe me, it's very helpful. Just put the reed into the water for about 3-4 minutes and that should do. And Hawk, if you are really thinking of playing the oboe seriously, you should consider the option of making the reeds by yourself. It is difficult task to do, I must say, but it is worth it. And the earlier you start, the easier it all becomes.

 

[Hawk Henries]

Thanks for your input thus far.

I am curious, for those who used to play oboe, why you have stopped?

The book's I have so far are: The Art of Oboe Playing
by Robert Sprenkle and David Ledet

Oboe Method; a classical method for young
musicians by Elaine Reid

Making Oboe Reed's
by Joseph Shalita

Mel Bay's Oboe Fingering and Scale Chart
by Eric Nelson

I will look for the Barrett method book you mentioned Rojo. In one of the above mentioned books it suggested as a way of soaking the reed that some players will put their saliva in it and let it soak. Maybe this is a last resort if no water is available.
The oboe that was gifted to me came with a reed. The person who gave me the oboe is an oboist herself and she build's her own reed's.
I also purchased two reed's at a music store. One was a medium hard and the other medium soft. I find the MS easiest to play. I have attempted to make my own. It took me about 9 hour's and as I was tying it on the little tube thing (staple??) I broke it! Wonderful experience. Soon as I get my hand's on some Arundo Donax I will give it another go.

The different grades (hard/soft) of reed must effect playing in many way's. What do you prefer and why?

I wish you Peace
Hawk

 

[rojo]

Mat- Yep, I've heard the Pasculli, and live, too. But never attempted playing it. Pasculli is to the oboe what Paganini is to the violin. At least in that piece, anyway. It's a great 'show' piece. My fav work for oboe is the Poulenc Sonata for Oboe and Piano. And maybe followed by Schumann's Three Romances for Oboe. And of course the Mozart Oboe Concerto. And the Marcello.. ooh, and the Cimarosa; I played that for an exam. Well, anyway, lots of great repertoire. :grin:

Hawk- I stopped because I returned to the piano, and found I didn't have time to maintain two instruments to my satisfaction. I still have my oboe though, and maybe someday I will return to it; don't know.

I would probably suggest easy reeds over hard ones, especially in the beginning. Once you've built up some embouchure muscles, then try harder ones. Once you get the hang of making them, you can try to make them (more or less) to your specifications.

Lucky you getting an oboe! :grin:

Btw, that saliva suggestion is disgusting! :grin:

 

[Hawk Henries]

Rojo,Btw,
"Btw, that saliva suggestion is disgusting! :grin:"
Especially if it is someone elses reed !!!!

 

[Contratrombone64]

Hawk - best of luck with your oboe adventures, I mean that sincerely. It's a wonderful beast if you can tame it. We have one of the world's finest oboists in the Sydney Symphony (Diana Doherty), she makes a sound that is spun silk. She received rave reviews when she played as soloist with the New York Philharmonic/Maazel a couple of years back. In the hands of a master (like her) it's a mesmorising and wonderful thing.

 

[Hawk Henries]

Thank you CT64.

I look forward to developing a relationship with it. At my age (52) I only aspire to develop a relationship with it that will allow it to be a voice of my expression and for me to express it's beauty....

If that makes any sense...sometimes words fail....

 

[Contratrombone64]

hawk - I think the bassoon is a far less challenging wind instrument (purely from a breathing perspective only) if you're after double reed ... and much more comical!

 

[rojo]

Hope you keep us posted on your progress, Hawk!

 

[Hawk Henries]

I certainly will Rojo and thank you for sharing!

As question's arise (in my best Arnold Schwartznegger voice) I'll be back!

 

[Hawk Henries]

When assembling the oboe I try to not put pressure on the keys/metal mechanisms (they seem so delicate) but inevitably it seems I have to in order to put it together.
Are the key assembly's as fragile as I think? How often does one grease the cork?

If I am drinking juice while playing is it best to drink plain water before i continue? Will the sugars from the juice ruin the reed?

 

[Mat]

Hawk,

I will answer your last question first. Do not drink juice, coke, sprite or anything like that if you are planing to play the oboe right after. Sugar contained in those beverages will make the keys (mechanism) sticky. The reed won't like it either.

The keys are delicate but if you grab them right, no harm should be done.

You're asking how often to grease the cork. Well, it kind of depends on how hard it is to put the pieces togheter. The grease's job is to help keep the cork in good shape, and also to make the assembling easier.