Where Are All The Oboists These Days? Options

[itchy1]

Enjoy the Saint Saens, I've been working on the second movt, and a bit on the first. The third is awaiting me at some future, unspecified point!

[flobiano]

Enjoy the Saint Saens, I've been working on the second movt, and a bit on the first. The third is awaiting me at some future, unspecified point!

It is a lovely piece. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I've played the 2nd movement too but not the third yet.

I had a practice with my accompanist last night - it went very well overall but didn't help much in deciding which piece to do. I think I prefer the Poulenc personally but I am a bit concerned about maintaining the tonal/ dynamic control required under exam conditions. I'll put the decision off for another week.

oh and I could have done without the additional 1 hour round trip this evening to pick up my reeds, which I had left in her music room. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) DOH!

[Roseau]

Enjoy the Saint Saens, I've been working on the second movt, and a bit on the first. The third is awaiting me at some future, unspecified point!

It is a lovely piece. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I've played the 2nd movement too but not the third yet.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
I played the 2nd movement for my exam last year and have also worked on both the 1st and the 3rd movement (although I was never really satisified with the way I played the third). Last year I heard Nicholas Daniel play the whole sonata and his rendition of the 3rd movement was ... impressive!

I had a practice with my accompanist last night - it went very well overall but didn't help much in deciding which piece to do. I think I prefer the Poulenc personally but I am a bit concerned about maintaining the tonal/ dynamic control required under exam conditions. I'll put the decision off for another week.

I dithered a little between the 1st and 2nd movements of the Saint Saens for my exam. I realise the 2nd movement isn't an option for you but what put me off the first movement was the long trill at the end, which I decided I would not be able to pull off, if at all stressed. My teacher also asked me to at least consider Poulenc (as I have posted before he put me off it completely by having me play it far too early on) and I did dutifully play it through a couple of times (and discovered it wasn't as bad as I remembered it). I think if it had been a choice only between the 1st movement of Saint Saens and the 1st movement of Poulenc, I probably would have gone with Poulenc.

I had a very satisfying lesson tonight (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I arrive before my teacher to warm up and he came into the room saying he knew from listening to me as he walked up the corridor that I was no longer stressed. I was so pathetic in last week's lesson that I felt I ought to apologise but he just dismissed it saying that these things happen. His next pupil was late so I ended up having an hour's lesson (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Hardying]

quote name='kerioboe' [I had a very satisfying lesson tonight (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I arrive before my teacher to warm up and he came into the room saying he knew from listening to me as he walked up the corridor that I was no longer stressed. I was so pathetic in last week's lesson that I felt I ought to apologise but he just dismissed it saying that these things happen. His next pupil was late so I ended up having an hour's lesson (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
[/quote]
That's good to hear Kerioboe!

It's 4.47 here in the UK & I can't get back to sleep. Am hoping tonight's concert goes well. I turned up at yesterday's run through without my cor anglais reeds, so they're already in the case, so at least won't be doing that again! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/embarassed.gif)

[Roseau]

It's 4.47 here in the UK & I can't get back to sleep. Am hoping tonight's concert goes well. I turned up at yesterday's run through without my cor anglais reeds, so they're already in the case, so at least won't be doing that again! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/embarassed.gif)

Good luck for the concert (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I have only ever forgotten my reeds at home once so far and that was when I was going to a lesson so my teacher just gave me a new one. I also once went home leaving my oboe behind in my lesson after a reed-making session (IMG:style_emoticons/default/embarassed.gif). (I had forgotten that I had taken it out to test a reed at some point). I did wonder why my case felt lighter than usual when I was walking home!

[Hardying]

[Good luck for the concert (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I have only ever forgotten my reeds at home once so far and that was when I was going to a lesson so my teacher just gave me a new one. I also once went home leaving my oboe behind in my lesson after a reed-making session (IMG:style_emoticons/default/embarassed.gif). (I had forgotten that I had taken it out to test a reed at some point). I did wonder why my case felt lighter than usual when I was walking home!
[/quote]

Thanks - that's made me feel slightly better (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[katica]

I have only ever forgotten my reeds at home once so far and that was when I was going to a lesson so my teacher just gave me a new one.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I must try that one when I need a new reed from my teacher!

Good luck with the concert, Hardying.

Good luck with choosing G8 pieces, flobiano.

I got back on the oboe today after a week off... not that it was voluntary - been under the weather again and now really hoping that a date for my operation is set soon and that it puts paid to this cycle of relapses.

On the other hand, the doc has banned me from the oboe for at least a month during recuperation. I've never had that long off the oboe since I started and don't know how I'll cope. Today it felt like aaaaaages since I last played and it was barely a week.

My teacher announced at my last lesson (two weeks ago (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) ) that he was going to give method (technical exercises? studies?) by Silvestrini. Anyone come across his stuff?

[Hardying]

On the other hand, the doc has banned me from the oboe for at least a month during recuperation. I've never had that long off the oboe since I started and don't know how I'll cope. Today it felt like aaaaaages since I last played and it was barely a week.

My teacher announced at my last lesson (two weeks ago (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) ) that he was going to give method (technical exercises? studies?) by Silvestrini. Anyone come across his stuff?

Hi Katica - so sorry you've been poorly again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif) & hope you don't have too long to wait for the operation.
Soon after restaring the oboe (after a gap of 30 years) I developed tennis elbow & wasn't able to play for a few months. I still get this intermittently, but not so badly, probably because I limit the amount of playing I do. It was very frustrating, & I coped by listening to a lot of oboe music & trying to learn from what I heard.

Never heard of Silvestrini - please let us know what they're like.
I've just finished the Ferling Book of 48 studies which I really enjoyed & my teacher has just started me on the Gillet ones which are a lot longer, and less interesting! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) but good for my technique, I'm sure.
Have a good wekeend evey (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) one

[Roseau]

I have only ever forgotten my reeds at home once so far and that was when I was going to a lesson so my teacher just gave me a new one.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I must try that one when I need a new reed from my teacher!

I hadn't thought of that as a tactic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I forgot my reeds in the days when he was still supplying me with all of them, as from last year I am supposed to be self-sufficient.

Yesterday's lesson might also provide another tactic for getting new reeds, although probably harder to bring off convincingly. I took a reed I had almost finished to my lesson and asked him to finish it for me because I was worried I might wreck it completely. In fact, it split while he was adjusting it and he gave me three of his own to make up for it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I got back on the oboe today after a week off... not that it was voluntary - been under the weather again and now really hoping that a date for my operation is set soon and that it puts paid to this cycle of relapses.

I hope you manage to get things sorted soon.

On the other hand, the doc has banned me from the oboe for at least a month during recuperation. I've never had that long off the oboe since I started and don't know how I'll cope.

Every couple of years I go for over a month in the summer without playing. I suffer severe withdrawal symptoms at the beginning (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) but they do lessen after a while. (Although when this has happened to me I have been in a different country to my oboe, I imagine it will be harder if the oboe is in the same room as you and you're not allowed to touch it). I suppose you could use the time to perfect reed-making skills... My teacher also says that it is a good idea to have a month off once a year for progress to consolidate; he claims that way you forget the bad habits and only keep the good ones. (Actually I have always thought this is typically French, as having a month's holiday in one block is the norm, but there may be some truth in what he says).

My teacher announced at my last lesson (two weeks ago (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) ) that he was going to give method (technical exercises? studies?) by Silvestrini. Anyone come across his stuff?

Some years ago I played "Trois Apothegmes brefs" (I'm not quite sure of the spelling). This was when my teacher organised a master class on contemporary music. I quite liked them until I got to play them with the piano and discovered that they are quite discordant (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) .

[katica]

Thank you Hardying, kerioboe for your good wishes. I heard today that the operation has been approved and it looks as though it will probably be next Friday, or if not the following week at the latest. Certainly reedmaking is on the list of things-to-while-recuperation-and-dealing-with-oboe-withdrawal. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The gap between lessons is going to be even more unbearably long as I shall just be finishing sick leave when music classes break up for the long summer vacation. Four long months between lessons!!! At least I will have (I hope) a week's band camp in January to break it up a bit.

Really annoyed with myself today - I got home quite late, decided to get some stuff organised before settling down to practice and lo and behold in no apparent time at all it was too late to be making any noise. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I shouldn't be wasting a single day while I can still play!

On a more humorous note... Our second flautist turned up yesterday at our regular weekly informal practice session with some breathing exercises. One of these was to blow a pencil as far as possible along a flat surface (table). Come my turn, the pencil just shot straight off beyond everyone else's, which produced great a roar of laughter (and inevitable comments about oboists (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) ). And that despite my breathing being decidedly deficient, especially for oboe playing. My teacher is always imploring me to blow harder (and/or more steadily/sustained/centred/etc etc).

I've just finished the Ferling Book of 48 studies which I really enjoyed & my teacher has just started me on the Gillet ones which are a lot longer, and less interesting!

Gosh, well done you!!!!

My teacher announced at my last lesson (two weeks ago (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) ) that he was going to give method (technical exercises? studies?) by Silvestrini. Anyone come across his stuff?

Some years ago I played "Trois Apothegmes brefs" (I'm not quite sure of the spelling). This was when my teacher organised a master class on contemporary music. I quite liked them until I got to play them with the piano and discovered that they are quite discordant (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) .

Thanks for that tip - they sound interesting! I don't think it's those pieces my teacher is referring to, though. The example exercise he mentioned sounded more conventional and probably more tedious.

A project I am looking forward to is working on Gordon Jacob's Three Inventions for Flute and Oboe, which I bought during my last visit to the UK. I bought them with a flautist friend in mind (my neighbour and general accomplice in our wind band) and passed the music on to her yesterday. She's already given them a it of a runthrough (more than I have) she is very excited... Has anyone else played these pieces?

[Hardying]

[quote name='katica' date='Oct 15 2011, 07:52 AM' post='1097388']
Thank you Hardying, kerioboe for your good wishes. I heard today that the operation has been approved and it looks as though it will probably be next Friday, or if not the following week at the latest. Certainly reedmaking is on the list of things-to-while-recuperation-and-dealing-with-oboe-withdrawal. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Will keep everything crossed for you Katica. Glad it's not too long for you to wait, & you'll be back playing before too many weeks have passed. Here's wishing you a very swift recuperation. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fingersCrossed.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fingersCrossed.gif)

Loved the story of your blowing the pencil off the end of the table - I'll have to try that myself some time! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Yesterday's concert went OK - not the best or worst of concerts! Unfortunately I learnt the truth behind how distracting it can be if someone in the audience takes a photo while you're playing as I lost my place (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) , but don't think the audience noticed, but I'm sure my teacher did (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif)

Off shortly to Cheltenham for a practice for Gloucester's Adult Learner's concert in 3 weeks time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Arundodonuts]

My teacher announced at my last lesson (two weeks ago (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) ) that he was going to give method (technical exercises? studies?) by Silvestrini. Anyone come across his stuff?

I've heard of them but not seen them. I bet they're dead tough though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

On a more humorous note... Our second flautist turned up yesterday at our regular weekly informal practice session with some breathing exercises. One of these was to blow a pencil as far as possible along a flat surface (table). Come my turn, the pencil just shot straight off beyond everyone else's, which produced great a roar of laughter (and inevitable comments about oboists (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) ). And that despite my breathing being decidedly deficient, especially for oboe playing. My teacher is always imploring me to blow harder (and/or more steadily/sustained/centred/etc etc).

My first teacher mentioned the trick of blowing an A4 sheet of paper against the wall and holding it there. The idea is to see how far away from the wall you can be when you perfom this trick.

[katica]

Yesterday's concert went OK - not the best or worst of concerts! Unfortunately I learnt the truth behind how distracting it can be if someone in the audience takes a photo while you're playing as I lost my place (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) , but don't think the audience noticed, but I'm sure my teacher did (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ill.gif)

Off shortly to Cheltenham for a practice for Gloucester's Adult Learner's concert in 3 weeks time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) What did you play?
Enjoy the rehearsal. "Saludos" (greetings) to the folks I know who may be there...

My teacher announced at my last lesson (two weeks ago (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) ) that he was going to give method (technical exercises? studies?) by Silvestrini. Anyone come across his stuff?

I've heard of them but not seen them. I bet they're dead tough though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

My first teacher mentioned the trick of blowing an A4 sheet of paper against the wall and holding it there. The idea is to see how far away from the wall you can be when you perfom this trick.

We did that one too. Not sure that I could do hold it longer than the others (stamina is bit of a problem still) but I got further back. And they were using smaller bits of paper.

But certainly oboists do seem to develop muscles for quite a powerful air flow. I even dared to try the tummy-pushing thing (my teacher does it from time to time, as did ND in masterclass) i.e taughten abdominal muscles as you would to support breath while playing and ask the other person to try and press it in. It worked - the steely wall beyond my not insubstantial "protective layer" ( (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ) stood up to the pressure very well. It provoked shrieks of mirth/surprise/horror. I'm sure that I don't play with my belly like that all the time, though. When I get a bit tired my breathing technique just collapses.

Other breathing exercises (add your own...):
- For steady column of air: Blow the flame of a candle so that it bends over (perpendicular angle) and try to maintain it in position
- Similar (also for stamina): Tear off a strip of loo paper or tissue, about 3/8" wide by 7" long, and stick it on the end of a pencil at a right angle. Hold the pencil parallel to the floor and about 3" in front of the mouth . Exhale a concentrated stream of air so that the strip blows out at an angle towards the floor. Try to sustain it for 5-10 seconds, holding it a bit longer every day.
- For a nice "round" sound: Blow up a balloon (expanding equally on all sides) in one breath.

[Hardying]

[Off shortly to Cheltenham for a practice for Gloucester's Adult Learner's concert in 3 weeks time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
[/quote]
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) What did you play?
Enjoy the rehearsal. "Saludos" (greetings) to the folks I know who may be there...

Hi Katica,
the concert was all trios for 2 oboes & cor - I was the cor.
It consisted of a trio by James Hook, the Beethoven theme & variations from Don Giovanni, a piece by Selmer for 3 oboes, & an arrangement of Autumn Leaves.

Today's rehearsal was fun, we did the Quantz that we chose when you were with us, & then played our solos pieces accompanied by Sue, mine is an abbreviated version of Hummel's Theme & Variations & a more modern Piece "Elegy for Mary" by Ian Denley, & Gerald is playing the Poulenc Flute Sonata. We then did a few extra pieces & then Gerald & I went out for lunch. Unfortunately I didn't get your message till after the event, but you were mentioned with affection! It has been a fun day (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) but would have been even better had you been with us.

[flobiano]

Thank you Hardying, kerioboe for your good wishes. I heard today that the operation has been approved and it looks as though it will probably be next Friday, or if not the following week at the latest. Certainly reedmaking is on the list of things-to-while-recuperation-and-dealing-with-oboe-withdrawal. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Hope it goes well and you have a speedy recovery.

Hardying - nice to hear about your concert. I've had a go at a Hook trio sonata - if it's the same one it's a lovely piece.

I've not heard of Silvestrini - let us know what they are like. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

As we were coming to the end of the Ferling book (didn't actually finish it!) my teacher started me on the Luft studies just before the summer holidays. They have a lot of notes and are quite long, certainly all so far seem to have had some awkward finger changes of the type that make my head spin. So must be doing some good. Not as nice to play as the Ferling ones though.

I dithered a little between the 1st and 2nd movements of the Saint Saens for my exam. I realise the 2nd movement isn't an option for you but what put me off the first movement was the long trill at the end, which I decided I would not be able to pull off, if at all stressed. My teacher also asked me to at least consider Poulenc (as I have posted before he put me off it completely by having me play it far too early on) and I did dutifully play it through a couple of times (and discovered it wasn't as bad as I remembered it). I think if it had been a choice only between the 1st movement of Saint Saens and the 1st movement of Poulenc, I probably would have gone with Poulenc.

I like the Poulenc a lot but my confidence on it depends very much on my reed. I got a new reed from my teacher last week which is slightly on the hard side for me - it makes it easy to give the ff section in the middle a real punch and make it very dramatic, but it also makes the pp high D and Eb almost impossible. My previous reed was a bit softer, the pp bits sounded great but the ff section sounded really flat, and I couldn't get enough volume out.

However, I am also not very confident in managing the change of tempo in the SS in a convincing and consistent way which makes fitting it to the accompaniment more difficult. I found the Poulenc fits very easily to the piano part and it seemd very intuitive where the entries are. The SS seems to need a bit more confidence and faith to come in and trust that I am in the right place. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

I am more worried about the demi-sem-quaver runs in SS than the trill at the end. The runs in the Poulenc seem to work a bit better. For me the trill at the end isn't any worse than the longish trill in the middle of the Poulenc.

I think both of them are pretty much there though, it is more about confidence and details than anything else.