Before I confess (and go off to say a Hail Mary, or wash my mouth out with soap and water ), here's a test of your observation skills.

What do you notice about my forum signature?.......

Not sure...have you bought a cello???

Sara

Oboe is now your third instrument, if you have listed them in order.

How long have you had a cor?

It no longer says something about you being a collector of Howarth Oboes !!!! Am I right ?

Yes I'll bet you're right!!

Sara

You haven't bought a French fence post have you?

You could be.


might have.......

All will be revealed soon... and reasons why

How funny you should say that ...I have friends who call my Loree a French Fence Post...always makes me laugh everytime they say it...Ruddy cheek

Anyhoo Amanda do tell us what have you gone and bought...???

Ok, here goes... [takes deep breath].... I'm in the process of trying two Loree oboes, both about 20 to 25 year vintage.

Now, there is method in what may seem total madness. Over the last year I've found the Howarth XL suited my playing less and less. Maybe it's the thick wall of them that's no longer right, but whatever it is, it just isn't 'me'. The tone has become too heavy sounding, regardless of what reed I use.

Fortunately, I've been able to seek a couple of objective views from friends who are not musical, but appreciate music. We did totally blind tests so that they could see which instrument I was playing at any particular time, but both independently said my playing sounded far more 'alive' on a Loree than the Howarth. Additionally, the Loree is physically lighter in weight, so this may be having an effect on how I handle the instrument and therefore play. With this in mind, it would be interesting to know how I now sound on a standard S5, rather than an XL. Previously I'd found the standard S5 too brash.

Over time, all of us have a tone and style that develops, evolves and evolves again. I know that Andante_in_c had the same experience with her Powell flute, whereby it no longer suited her playing style.

The one instrument I still regret having to sell though, was my S20. It might only have been a thumbplate system and ranked as an intermediate oboe, but they are more than capable of Grade 8+ playing and the tone is rich but light. Maybe I should go back to an S20....

One huge dilemma on my hands now, that's for sure.

EDIT: I have kept the two old Howarth (1950s) S5 oboes that belonged to Terence MacDonagh. Apart from significant historical provenance, they have a tone that's extremely light. The down side though, due to their age and the amount of use Terry gave them, they are not really suitable for continuous daily practice

I had previously seen you mention the comment Andrew and I was just winding you up

I have an S40 which I might consider swapping for an XL

My first oboe teacher played a Loree Royal and had a beautifully rich tone which, I think, was largely down to her style of reeds (and of course her style of playing). When I bought the S40 she played it and reckoned that in terms of intonation it was a match for the Loree and it was only in the upper register that she felt the Loree was tonally superior. In a later lesson she said "I'm really pleased you bought this oboe".

I have a leaning to the "German" sound, rich and dark (like their chocolate). It's what I aspire to one day in the future. Other people prefer a lighter, more elegant timbre. Incidentally my current teacher plays an XL and it does have a lovely, dark tone (which I suspect might not be welcomed with open arms in some "international" orchestras).

I've sold both of my XLs already I'm afraid - but could have sold them twenty times over! I lost count of the number of phone calls I had, simply because one had belonged to Roy Carter, while the other was chosen new by Gordon Hunt.

I'm with you on the German sound. I've got a Marigaux now, which has taken me a lot closer to that ideal than my previous Loree. My teacher plays an XL though, and she has a gorgeous sound too. I think they're quite similar.



There is a slim possibility I might be able to wangle some lessons with Gordon Hunt later this year... It depends how much he charges though! It would be quite exciting if I could manage it. Does anyone know anyone who's studied with him? I'd quite like to know if he's nice / helpful, or not, before I ask him!

LOREE


There really is only 1 way...

OK I admit it, they are too nice for fence posts.

Might make a nice banister though! (JOKE!!)

I've not had lessons with Gordon but have found him very pleasant as a person, although he doesn't suffer fools gladly - but that also goes for many of the top orchestral oboists. He only teaches intermediate ability upwards (approx Grade 5+ standard).

No doubt you're aware that Gordon's a professor at the GSMD. If for some reason your lessons cannot be held there, you might have to go to his home, which is well off the beaten track in rural Kent and not accessible by public transport. He's got a boistrous Springer Spaniel and his neighbours Boxer Dogs are often out roaming around the garden too, so I hope you like canines.

EDIT: As a rough idea, one-off lessons with music college professors are nominally about £70 an hour, but if you want a few lessons it's worth trying to haggle for a block booking fee. Roy Carter never charged me anything when I had lessons with him, but Roy's that sort of guy.... and I had bought an oboe off him too.

Madam.....

Well I am ever so slightly beyond that so I should be okay.



I'm going to be working at the GSMD too. Hence why lessons with him are a possibility.



Thanks for that tip, I'll bear it in mind. I'm currently paying £32 an hour for a teacher who's a London pro, though not ultra-famous, but I think she's quite a bargain really.

Well, we'll see. Gordon might say no anyway.