Where Are All The Oboists These Days? Options

[MrsB]

Hi *waves*

I'm new to the forum, having recently restarted playing the oboe so thought I'd join in with this thread (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I played many years ago and got to grade 5 but couldn't afford my own oboe so had to stop playing when I left school (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I've never lost the longing to play though so a couple of weeks ago I took the plunge and bought myself a second hand student instrument and have spent the last 2 weeks re-teaching myself the notes and how to read music.

Despite the often less than beautiful sound I have been making I have been really enjoying playing again and look forward to getting home from work each day to practice.

I'm having my first lesson next week at which I will hopefully get some tips and exercises to get me playing in tune and iron out the bad habits I know I am developing. My aim is to get back up to a grade 2 standard so that I can join my local adult beginners' windband.

As my husband isn't musical it'll be nice to have people to chat with (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[louise1712]

Hi *waves*

I'm new to the forum, having recently restarted playing the oboe so thought I'd join in with this thread (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I played many years ago and got to grade 5 but couldn't afford my own oboe so had to stop playing when I left school (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I've never lost the longing to play though so a couple of weeks ago I took the plunge and bought myself a second hand student instrument and have spent the last 2 weeks re-teaching myself the notes and how to read music.

Despite the often less than beautiful sound I have been making I have been really enjoying playing again and look forward to getting home from work each day to practice.

I'm having my first lesson next week at which I will hopefully get some tips and exercises to get me playing in tune and iron out the bad habits I know I am developing. My aim is to get back up to a grade 2 standard so that I can join my local adult beginners' windband.

As my husband isn't musical it'll be nice to have people to chat with (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Hello (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.gif) hope you enjoy your time here (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I've just taken up oboe, (play clari mainly), am borrowing an open-holed student instrument for three months to see how I get on. So far so good..... What make is your oboe? (not that I know a great deal about them) Let us know how your lesson goes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Arundodonuts]

Hi *waves*

I'm new to the forum, having recently restarted playing the oboe so thought I'd join in with this thread (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Hello MrsB. Welcome back to the oboe. It's good to see you have already found a playing opportunity, I think that's so important in maintaining enthusiasm.

[MrsB]

Thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I've got a Bundy as I was on a budget and only needed something I could have some fun with. I got to my Grade 3 on a Bundy previously so it'll do the job for now. If I really get into it I may look to save for a Howarth one day.

[Roseau]

I've never lost the longing to play though so a couple of weeks ago I took the plunge and bought myself a second hand student instrument and have spent the last 2 weeks re-teaching myself the notes and how to read music.

I hope you enjoy it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Learning to play the oboe (which I started as an adult) is one of the best things I've ever done (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I made two reeds yesterday and another one today and they all work (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) The one I scraped this afternoon was (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) I just hope it is still the same tomorrow (newly scraped reeds take a couple of days to settle down). I tend to be a coward and get my teacher to put the finishing touches to them but I haven't got a lesson for another for almost another two weeks so I carried on cautiously scraping them once they were playing and I'm glad I did (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I am particularly pleased because the last few reeds I had attempted to make were all failures and I was beginning to think that I had forgotten the little I knew. I am on holiday at the moment and feeling more relaxed and not stressed by lack of time so I think the previous failures were probably down to trying to do things too fast and under pressure.

[katica]

Thanks for the support Roseau and katica (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) The oboe sounded surprisingly ok, managed to keep the notes more or less in tune and teacher seemed pleased with what we'd done (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It's a bog-standard student oboe, very light compared to my clari! Covering some of the holes is proving a problem, the third finger of my left hand was starting to go into cramp towards the end of the session but I suppose this will improve as I get used to the different hand position.

Started off on the soft reed today to get used to the embouchure again then moved onto the medium reed, again managed about twenty minutes before lips started to go, frustrating but I put it away. Went over the stuff we did yesterday (Learn as you play units 1-3) and did some long notes (tuning).

Really enjoying it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Yep, I'm still having problems with that one after 3 1/2 years!

Actually, learning on an open-holed oboe is good for sorting that kind of problem out early on.

Hi *waves*

I'm new to the forum, having recently restarted playing the oboe so thought I'd join in with this thread (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.gif) Mrs B!

We're a pretty friendly bunch around here and there's always someone who's glad to help. Good luck with getting into the band soon. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[

I made two reeds yesterday and another one today and they all work (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) The one I scraped this afternoon was (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

Well done! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)

I hope your expectations of it sounding as good tomorrow aren't too high. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I wish you a happy hour or two readjusting! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Lovely reeds never seem to last any time at all with me, unfortunately.

[Roseau]

I hope your expectations of it sounding as good tomorrow aren't too high. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I wish you a happy hour or two readjusting! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Yesterday's one wasn't quite so nice today but one from the day before had nicely "matured" so I used that instead (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[louise1712]

have been practising C, B, A and G this week and have added D, Bb, F#, F, E and D. Reasonably happy with progress but am struggling with reaching the keys (easily) with the right little finger (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Any suggestions? or possible alternative fingerings? I do have small hands and am curious as to whether a closed-hole oboe would make it easier on my poor little fingers (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Roseau]

have been practising C, B, A and G this week and have added D, Bb, F#, F, E and D. Reasonably happy with progress but am struggling with reaching the keys (easily) with the right little finger (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Any suggestions? or possible alternative fingerings? I do have small hands and am curious as to whether a closed-hole oboe would make it easier on my poor little fingers (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Different oboes do have the keys in slightly different places (and professionals sometimes have the keys moved slightly to suit their hand shape). So a closed hole might make things easier but it would depend on the make.

That said, I have small hands and my daughter is a small 12 year old and both of us can reach the little finger keys without a problem so I think it is partly a question of practice. I haven't seen you play but I wonder if your thumb is too far under the thumbrest? (I have a callus about half way up my thumb nail). If your thumb is too far underneath, you will have trouble reaching the keys.

Having typed all this, I am now wondering which keys you mean exactly as from the description of notes you have given you are not using any little finger keys yet.

Edit: I've just seen your other post saying you're looking for alternative fingerings. You shouldn't need any at this stage (and in fact there are very few for the notes that you say you have already learnt). You can "colour" the C by putting other fingers down but I wouldn't be doing this at your stage - you need to be able to produce a "reliable" note first.

[louise1712]

have been practising C, B, A and G this week and have added D, Bb, F#, F, E and D. Reasonably happy with progress but am struggling with reaching the keys (easily) with the right little finger (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Any suggestions? or possible alternative fingerings? I do have small hands and am curious as to whether a closed-hole oboe would make it easier on my poor little fingers (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Different oboes do have the keys in slightly different places (and professionals sometimes have the keys moved slightly to suit their hand shape). So a closed hole might make things easier but it would depend on the make.

That said, I have small hands and my daughter is a small 12 year old and both of us can reach the little finger keys without a problem so I think it is partly a question of practice. I haven't seen you play but I wonder if your thumb is too far under the thumbrest? (I have a callus about half way up my thumb nail). If your thumb is too far underneath, you will have trouble reaching the keys.

Having typed all this, I am now wondering which keys you mean exactly as from the description of notes you have given you are not using any little finger keys yet.

Yes, sorry, Eb (both octaves) are the ones really, been looking at our band repertoire (for much later on in my oboe journey..) and most of it is in either 2, 3 or 4 flats.

The thumbrest is really too high for my liking, if I do go down the purchasing road I'll be looking for one with an adjustable thumbrest (claris have them and I hope oboes do too). For the notes needing right hand down the nail of my thumb is under the rest but if I need little finger then the rest is useless....

[katica]

have been practising C, B, A and G this week and have added D, Bb, F#, F, E and D. Reasonably happy with progress but am struggling with reaching the keys (easily) with the right little finger (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Any suggestions? or possible alternative fingerings? I do have small hands and am curious as to whether a closed-hole oboe would make it easier on my poor little fingers (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Different oboes do have the keys in slightly different places (and professionals sometimes have the keys moved slightly to suit their hand shape). So a closed hole might make things easier but it would depend on the make.

That said, I have small hands and my daughter is a small 12 year old and both of us can reach the little finger keys without a problem so I think it is partly a question of practice. I haven't seen you play but I wonder if your thumb is too far under the thumbrest? (I have a callus about half way up my thumb nail). If your thumb is too far underneath, you will have trouble reaching the keys.

Having typed all this, I am now wondering which keys you mean exactly as from the description of notes you have given you are not using any little finger keys yet.

Yes, sorry, Eb (both octaves) are the ones really, been looking at our band repertoire (for much later on in my oboe journey..) and most of it is in either 2, 3 or 4 flats.

The thumbrest is really too high for my liking, if I do go down the purchasing road I'll be looking for one with an adjustable thumbrest (claris have them and I hope oboes do too). For the notes needing right hand down the nail of my thumb is under the rest but if I need little finger then the rest is useless....

You can buy just the adjustable thumbrest - usually only the more expensive models of oboe come with an adjustable one incorporated. Indeed, the Kooiman Etude model is for both clarinet and oboe.

You should also check your hand/wrist position generally with your teacher and check yourself in a mirror, as if it's not right it can affect the reach and agility of the little fingers . Your hand/wrist should be in a natural curled position and straight. This sounds easy but isn't - I still have some issues more than 3 years on. The thumb position is just part of the picture.

[louise1712]

You can buy just the adjustable thumbrest - usually only the more expensive models of oboe come with an adjustable one incorporated. Indeed, the Kooiman Etude model is for both clarinet and oboe.

You should also check your hand/wrist position generally with your teacher and check yourself in a mirror, as if it's not right it can affect the reach and agility of the little fingers . Your hand/wrist should be in a natural curled position and straight. This sounds easy but isn't - I still have some issues more than 3 years on. The thumb position is just part of the picture.

Thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) will have to check all this with teacher but I won't see her for another couple of weeks. For the time being I'll keep on with the notes I've learnt and try not to get too frustrated (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Roseau]

Yes, sorry, Eb (both octaves) are the ones really, been looking at our band repertoire (for much later on in my oboe journey..) and most of it is in either 2, 3 or 4 flats.

OK, that makes more sense.

The thumbrest is really too high for my liking, if I do go down the purchasing road I'll be looking for one with an adjustable thumbrest (claris have them and I hope oboes do too). For the notes needing right hand down the nail of my thumb is under the rest but if I need little finger then the rest is useless....

You can buy just the adjustable thumbrest - usually only the more expensive models of oboe come with an adjustable one incorporated. Indeed, the Kooiman Etude model is for both clarinet and oboe.

If you put a thumb cushion on the thumb rest, this will lower it a little. Otherwise, you can put an ordinary clarinet adjustable thumbrest on; this was what I did with my previous oboe. You can buy them fairly cheaply (although I can't now remember where I got mine from) and the holes are in the same place. You can then just unscrew it again and put the original one back on before you give it back.

You should also check your hand/wrist position generally with your teacher and check yourself in a mirror, as if it's not right it can affect the reach and agility of the little fingers . Your hand/wrist should be in a natural curled position and straight. This sounds easy but isn't - I still have some issues more than 3 years on. The thumb position is just part of the picture.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
I only realised last year that the thumb rest was supposed to be resting on my thumb (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) (But that's another story). If your hand and wrist are at the right angle then you will be able to reach the keys and this is something you can do much more easily with your teacher than by yourself. When I was trying to sort out my thumb problems last year my teacher ended up holding my thumb in the right place so I could feel where it was supposed to be.

I am currently frustrated by the inability of my ring finger to move the way I want it to when playing rapidly D-E-D-C#-D-E-D. I'm sure it is to do with my wrist position but despite peering in the mirror and trying slightly different positions nothing is producing a satisfactory result. It's our two-week half term at the moment so I still have to wait over a week until my next lesson, when I'm sure my teacher will prod my wrist a bit and the problem will be solved.

[katica]

I just realised that "our hand/wrist should be in a natural curled position and straight" is completely unclear. What I mean is that your fingers need to be curled as they do naturally if you just let your hand hang at your side. More curled than on the clarinet. And by straight I meant your wrist and hand should be properly aligned. But then you probably already know this as I imagine it's similar on the clarinet.

I find it extremely difficult to put my own advice into practice. I think I shift my hand position much too much when playing low Eb or C#. And the same with the left hand when playing notes such as LH Eb or F. Very inefficient. I don't even have the excuse of small hands, although my little finger is particularly short. Today the problem was really noticeable in the Prestini and Salviani exercises I started today, especially when playing some of the awkward jumps (eg F2 to F3). All made worse as I started to become really tense and then it just became impossible. And the exercises aren't really at all hard, supposedly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Got bit of a lecture today about relaxing and enjoying the music. Which didn't help me do either. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

Fortunately salsa cheered me up. We're motoring through the pieces at a surprising rate, especially given how slow it's been to get new repertoire together in the past. And that despite a lot of the rhythms are not being terribly easy and the usual plethora of flats And being such a small ensemble (just 12 at the moment) means every mistake is so so obvious...

We've got a session with the some of the pros next Tuesday. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

One of the folks we'll be playing with is the lead singer / trombonist from this little bunch... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

EDIT: This video of them is more fun.

[louise1712]

Thanks Roseau and katica (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I was rather (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) by the curled but straight bit...... I'll stick at it, a couple of days ago the stetch to cover the G hole was causing a problem so hopefully it's just going to be the case of practising and the fingers will get used it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)