Where Are All The Oboists These Days? Options

[Stephie]

Up until now I've always used Fortay Reeds, but they've been very slow of late. My friend orders directly from Howarth and she always gets hers in under a week. I may try there!

I've been using Fortay for quite some time and whilst I agree they're not exactly lightning fast, I do rate the quality and consistency very highly. So I always order batches of three or four a good month before I know I'll need them.

I just ordered some shaped and gouged cane from them (for my next trick!) which came through much faster than finished reeds.

BTW will you be going to the Woodwind and Brass weekend at the RNCM?

Yes, the quality is definitely very high! The reason I'm going to try Howarth is because they actually sell the Fortay reeds too. Fortay must supply them with a batch that they can just sell immediately.

I have a reed-making kit, but I'm terrible at it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Have you given it a go before?

I didn't even know about the Woodwind and Brass weekend! Is it open to everybody? Are you going?

[Arundodonuts]

Yes, the quality is definitely very high! The reason I'm going to try Howarth is because they actually sell the Fortay reeds too. Fortay must supply them with a batch that they can just sell immediately.

I have a reed-making kit, but I'm terrible at it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Have you given it a go before?

I had a brief start at it last year but sort of lost the impetus. I'm just starting again.

I didn't even know about the Woodwind and Brass weekend! Is it open to everybody? Are you going?

Yes it's open to all and it's free. http://www.rncm.ac.uk/component/option,com...d,51/Itemid,95/
I've been for the last couple of years and will certainly be there this year.

[Roseau]

Today's lesson was one of those where you come out feeling (IMG:style_emoticons/default/woot.gif)

Right at the beginning I asked my teacher if the thumb rest was supposed to be resting on the thumb. It was so obvious for him that it was that he initially didn't understand my question, when I said the rest wasn't resting on my thumb he was dubious about the truth of this so I took the thumb rest off to show him that it made no difference to how I played. He was amazed and incredibly apologetic for not having noticed that I was holding it wrongly but he also said he didn't really see how he could have noticed visually since my thumb was in the right place just not doing the right thing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) He had a go at playing without the thumb rest on and he sounded awful. He said he was amazed that I had got to the level I had, holding the oboe the way I was and that he could now understand why all the things he gets his other students to do had never really worked for me.

Anyway, once he'd helped me sort out what I was supposed to be doing with my thumb the difference was amazing, not just from a physical comfort point of view (all wrist tension and pain suddenly vanished (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ) but also from a musical point of view - the tone was fuller, intontation was spot on, a natural vibrato appeared ... I couldn't believe what a difference it made.

My teacher kept apologising for the fact that he had let me struggle for so long without realising what I was doing but I pointed out that he was not the only one not to have noticed - none of the oboe teachers on the courses I went on noticed either.

The difficulty now will be to re-educate my hand to go into the right place and to stay there. I had to keep stopping in my lesson this morning to put it back in the right place (I just hope I can find it again correctly by myself). My teacher said to play lots of long notes and scales and really easy music this week so I can just concentrate on my hand position.

[Stephie]

I have a reed-making kit, but I'm terrible at it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Have you given it a go before?

I had a brief start at it last year but sort of lost the impetus. I'm just starting again.

I'm awful at making them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) My fingers are too shaky when I try to keep them still!

I didn't even know about the Woodwind and Brass weekend! Is it open to everybody? Are you going?

Yes it's open to all and it's free. http://www.rncm.ac.uk/component/option,com...d,51/Itemid,95/
I've been for the last couple of years and will certainly be there this year.

Wow, that looks fantastic! I'll have to check and see what I'm doing that weekend [I have a reading week coming up so I might not be in Manchester], but if I'm still in Manchester I'll definitely try to work it in!

Anyway, once he'd helped me sort out what I was supposed to be doing with my thumb the difference was amazing, not just from a physical comfort point of view (all wrist tension and pain suddenly vanished (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ) but also from a musical point of view - the tone was fuller, intontation was spot on, a natural vibrato appeared ... I couldn't believe what a difference it made.

That's brilliant! Glad you got that sorted out, because I can imagine it must have put an awful lot of strain on your wrist. How were you holding it originally?

[flobiano]

Welcome back Stephie - glad to hear you managed to get an oboe and will get some lessons at the University! When do your lessons start? You may find that your teacher is able to help with supply of reeds- -my teacher makes mine for me and they are fab! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Keri - was going to comment on your thumb rest problem earlier in the week but sounds like you've got it sorted. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Amazing to hear what a difference it makes. I definitely do rest the weight on my thumb (and am developing a slight callous to prove it!). But sometimes wonder if it would be more comfortable if it was a smidgeon higher up - was it easy to fit an adjustable thumb rest?

Katica - hope things are going well with you! Glad you are still enjoying your new oboe. My forked F has now been fixed, and although there is a very slightly difference in quality - colour is probably a better word - to the normal F there isn't really much of a difference between the two. it maybe that it needs readjusting slightly when everything has settled down.

Pushpull - I am planning to go to the woodwind and brass weekend at the RNCM too - was thinking about starting another thread about it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

A.U.K - hope you are doing OK. I miss your posts! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I've had a good lesson today - exam pieces seem to be on track, scales aren't too bad, I have the number of an accompanist so need to arrange a couple of practice sessions with them, and I have a couple of non-exam pieces to work on over the next couple of weeks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) On the down side, my teacher can't do next Wednesday and then it's half term, so 3 weeks till my next lesson. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Roseau]

I'm awful at making them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) My fingers are too shaky when I try to keep them still!

It gets better with practice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
If you're looking for "ready-made" reeds, you might like to try Wiggins. I liked Fortay a couple of years ago but don't anymore. Someone this summer suggested I tried Wiggins - they are expensive but I find them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) I also quite like Ke Gun Xe reeds but these are quite hard (I know quite a few English people think they need a lot of adjustment before they are playable). I play them "as they are" but I think French people have a slightly different embouchure.

That's brilliant! Glad you got that sorted out, because I can imagine it must have put an awful lot of strain on your wrist. How were you holding it originally?

I was holding it like a descant recorder. I had recorder lessons at school from the age of 5 to 11 so although this is now over 30 years ago I think I just automatically reverted to what I had been taught when I was very young (and which had obviously become ingrained). I just used the thumb rest as a sort of guide as to where to place my thumb and if it was very hot and my hands were sweating a lot, it stopped the oboe slipping.

I definitely do rest the weight on my thumb (and am developing a slight callous to prove it!). But sometimes wonder if it would be more comfortable if it was a smidgeon higher up - was it easy to fit an adjustable thumb rest?

The XL comes with an adjustable thumb rest. On the Marigaux I fitted a clarinet adjustable thumbrest. I bought this online following a link that Skylark posted. (I'll have a look for it later and add an edit to this post if I find it). The clarinet thumb rest had 3 screws and my oboe only two but the two the oboe had were in the right place so I just screwed it on myself with 2 screws and it worked.

I read somewhere that if you want to experiment with height before buying something else, you can unscrew the one that is on there and screw it back on upside down. This doesn't give you a comfortable thumb rest but gives you some idea of whether the hand position is more comfortable.

[Stephie]

Welcome back Stephie - glad to hear you managed to get an oboe and will get some lessons at the University! When do your lessons start? You may find that your teacher is able to help with supply of reeds- -my teacher makes mine for me and they are fab! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Thank you! I'm not sure when my lessons start yet. Christine has yet to text me with my first lesson date! I gave her my timetable details so that she can fit me in somewhere between my timetable and hers. My third oboe teacher [I've had many, MANY oboe teachers over my twelve years of playing!] used to make my oboe reeds for me and they were fantastic. None of my other teachers ever made reeds. I haven't met my new teacher yet, but maybe she will!

I've had a good lesson today - exam pieces seem to be on track, scales aren't too bad, I have the number of an accompanist so need to arrange a couple of practice sessions with them, and I have a couple of non-exam pieces to work on over the next couple of weeks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) On the down side, my teacher can't do next Wednesday and then it's half term, so 3 weeks till my next lesson. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

SCALES ARE THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE. Glad I don't have to do them anymore (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) At least, I don't think I do... OH NO! What if I have to do more scales?! *weeps*

I'm awful at making them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) My fingers are too shaky when I try to keep them still!

It gets better with practice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
If you're looking for "ready-made" reeds, you might like to try Wiggins. I liked Fortay a couple of years ago but don't anymore. Someone this summer suggested I tried Wiggins - they are expensive but I find them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) I also quite like Ke Gun Xe reeds but these are quite hard (I know quite a few English people think they need a lot of adjustment before they are playable). I play them "as they are" but I think French people have a slightly different embouchure.

It must take a lot of practice then (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I spent a year failing miserably. Then I gave up!
Oooh I've never heard of Wiggins before. I'll have a peek on their website, if they have one. I've heard good things about Ke Gun Xe reeds though. I'm French, but since I was raised in the UK I don't think I fall under that category (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

That's brilliant! Glad you got that sorted out, because I can imagine it must have put an awful lot of strain on your wrist. How were you holding it originally?

I was holding it like a descant recorder. I had recorder lessons at school from the age of 5 to 11 so although this is now over 30 years ago I think I just automatically reverted to what I had been taught when I was very young (and which had obviously become ingrained). I just used the thumb rest as a sort of guide as to where to place my thumb and if it was very hot and my hands were sweating a lot, it stopped the oboe slipping.

Oh wow, okay! An oboe's a lot heavier than a descant recorder though, so there must have been a big difference!

[Roseau]

SCALES ARE THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE. Glad I don't have to do them anymore (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) At least, I don't think I do... OH NO! What if I have to do more scales?! *weeps*

Don't come and have music lessons in France then (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
Unlike in the UK scales are considered to be advanced technique in France. My cello playing daughter is playing pieces around grade 5 standard and knows one scale: C major. My younger daughter is playing pieces of around grade 3 on both oboe and piano and also knows only C major scale.

My daughter and I have the same oboe teacher and while he only expects her to play this one scale once all slurred, he expects me to play at least one different scale daily (plus a chromatic just to "warm up"). For him playing a scale means playing it slowly slurred to listen to intonation and even tone, playing it fast slurred, tongued, staccato and various combinations of slurred and tongued, in thirds (slurred and tongued), with repeated notes, running scales (where you go up an octave + one note each time) and a couple of other scale patterns. All of this to be done over the whole range of the instrument and not just from tonic to tonic. And a couple of exercices out of Gillet "20 minutes d'?tude" in the relevant key (and if you think scales are boring, they are nothing compared to Gillet's book which must be the most boring book ever written).

[Stephie]

SCALES ARE THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE. Glad I don't have to do them anymore (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) At least, I don't think I do... OH NO! What if I have to do more scales?! *weeps*

Don't come and have music lessons in France then (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I'm actually planning to spend some time studying music in France after I'm finished my degree (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) My grandfather studied music in Paris and I've always wanted to follow in his footsteps [my dad is French and I was raised bilingual, so language certainly wouldn't be an issue!]. I've already been in contact with conservatoires in France. It isn't playing scales that's the trouble - I mean, I did my Grade 8 two years ago and I still play my scales to warm up before practice - but I just don't enjoy playing them. I know some people who do though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

(plus a chromatic just to "warm up")

Aha, chromatic is a scale I do enjoy! I don't know why I love playing chromatics so much (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Every day, I sort of race myself to see if I can go faster and faster playing them... Does that make me dorky?! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Roseau]

I'm actually planning to spend some time studying music in France after I'm finished my degree (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) My grandfather studied music in Paris and I've always wanted to follow in his footsteps [my dad is French and I was raised bilingual, so language certainly wouldn't be an issue!]. I've already been in contact with conservatoires in France.

Be aware that the whole system is very different. Just to get an audition at the Conservatoire (I presume you mean a Conservatoire nationale sup?rieur of which there are only two: one in Paris and one in Lyon) you have to pass written and aural tests first. The sort of things that you are asked to do in this are very different to what is routinely taught in the UK.

It isn't playing scales that's the trouble - I mean, I did my Grade 8 two years ago and I still play my scales to warm up before practice - but I just don't enjoy playing them. I know some people who do though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I like scales but I must admit that I find them more satisfying on the piano than on the oboe - there aren't enough notes on the oboe (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Like you I find chromatic scales the best ones to play (maybe because there are more notes) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Arundodonuts]

Aha, chromatic is a scale I do enjoy! I don't know why I love playing chromatics so much (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Every day, I sort of race myself to see if I can go faster and faster playing them... Does that make me dorky?! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Playing the oboe makes you dorky. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I work in IT and play the oboe and accordion and dance morris (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) Dorky nerd or nerdy dork?

[Stephie]

I'm actually planning to spend some time studying music in France after I'm finished my degree (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) My grandfather studied music in Paris and I've always wanted to follow in his footsteps [my dad is French and I was raised bilingual, so language certainly wouldn't be an issue!]. I've already been in contact with conservatoires in France.

Be aware that the whole system is very different. Just to get an audition at the Conservatoire (I presume you mean a Conservatoire nationale sup?rieur of which there are only two: one in Paris and one in Lyon) you have to pass written and aural tests first. The sort of things that you are asked to do in this are very different to what is routinely taught in the UK.

Yes, I've done lots of research and I've definitely seen differences! It would still be incredible to try though... and at least I would have tried! It'll probably never happen, but I'm still hoping.

It isn't playing scales that's the trouble - I mean, I did my Grade 8 two years ago and I still play my scales to warm up before practice - but I just don't enjoy playing them. I know some people who do though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I like scales but I must admit that I find them more satisfying on the piano than on the oboe - there aren't enough notes on the oboe (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Like you I find chromatic scales the best ones to play (maybe because there are more notes) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Haha, I'm not good enough at the piano to have an opinion on that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Aha, chromatic is a scale I do enjoy! I don't know why I love playing chromatics so much (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Every day, I sort of race myself to see if I can go faster and faster playing them... Does that make me dorky?! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Playing the oboe makes you dorky. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

That is the best quote ever (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I work in IT and play the oboe and accordion and dance morris (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) Dorky nerd or nerdy dork?

Both! Well I play the oboe, own a t-shirt that says 'Yoda is my Homeboy' and carry an old Gameboy Colour with me wherever I go (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) I think I qualify too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[katica]

Welcome back, Stephie! It's great to have a new influx of enthusiasm. Not that it lacks around here. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

A.U.K - hope you are doing OK. I miss your posts! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I'm a bit worried about Andrew, too. I hope he's not being hassled again or, worse, ill. I sent a PM but if he's not visiting us here I don't suppose he'll see it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Wherever you are, Andrew, I hope things are hunky-dory.

...the difference was amazing, not just from a physical comfort point of view (all wrist tension and pain suddenly vanished (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ) but also from a musical point of view - the tone was fuller, intontation was spot on, a natural vibrato appeared ... I couldn't believe what a difference it made.

That's really brilliant!!! Who'd have thought that so much would change by changing your thumb support?! I hope my attempts to correct my wrist are equally successful... Actually, at my lesson this week I commented to my teacher that I "knew someone" who didn't use the thumb rest and whether that was OK. His answer was along the lines of " well, you find all oboists do all sorts of things... but why would you want to? It would probably make your wrist and hand much tenser..." Well, happily you found the answer for yourself! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Katica - hope things are going well with you! Glad you are still enjoying your new oboe. My forked F has now been fixed, and although there is a very slightly difference in quality - colour is probably a better word - to the normal F there isn't really much of a difference between the two. it maybe that it needs readjusting slightly when everything has settled down.

Yep, in some ways it's even more gorgeous than when I first met it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) The difference in the forked F is rather like yours, quite slight really. It's just on the Patricola I couldn't detect any difference at all (one of it's strong points). The XL is revealing my bad habits, though. I am having quite a bit of trouble when I have to move from certain notes such as middle C sharp to LH E flat. My wrist/finger position is often slightly off and then I get a fuzzy note. The lower register is completely exhilarating to play. And my teacher says the buzzy sound in the middle register is great, though I don't really understand why. (I think kerioboe said something similar a while back).

My class this week was great, despite some of the usual harangues... My teacher always seems to think I should have things down pat in 5 mins. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Lots of really useful practice tips. I hope they work. I'm supposed to have the first part of the Vivaldi concerto I am studying committed to memory for next week. That'll be a first for me. I think it is a good approach, though. I seem to play much more musically when I'm not enslaved by reading. However, at this stage in life I find memorising anything more than a short phrase (written as well as musical) a fearful challenge.

Playing the oboe makes you dorky. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I work in IT and play the oboe and accordion and dance morris (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) Dorky nerd or nerdy dork?

An utter nutter!!!

Actually, that's a compliment. I don't think oboists are regarded as particularly nerdy or dorky here. Just totally mad. They sometimes seem to aspire to lunacy, actually...

[Arundodonuts]

Playing the oboe makes you dorky. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
I work in IT and play the oboe and accordion and dance morris (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) Dorky nerd or nerdy dork?

An utter nutter!!!

Well thank you.

Actually, that's a compliment. I don't think oboists are regarded as particularly nerdy or dorky here. Just totally mad. They sometimes seem to aspire to lunacy, actually...

I think we cultivate the madness thing just to appear "windswept and interesting" as Billy Connolly used to say.

Our primary characteristic is quite clearly bucketloads of patience.

[Stephie]

Welcome back, Stephie! It's great to have a new influx of enthusiasm. Not that it lacks around here. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thanks, katica (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I'm supposed to have the first part of the Vivaldi concerto

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

I think we cultivate the madness thing just to appear "windswept and interesting" as Billy Connolly used to say.

Billy Connolly said that?! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Oh I wish bassmadmatt were here to see this (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)