Hi everyone,

I'm an adult learner (aged 30), and took the oboe up in April. I've been doing OK and have got my Grade 2 exam next week (my teacher was thinking of putting me in for Grade 3 but I am shaky on theory and stuff so I'm glad she didn't). I also play the violin but am basically self-taught and have never done a music exam, so I'm really nervous....

I took up the oboe because I have limited lung function (it's about 47% of what it should be) and I was hoping that playing would help me to keep my lungs as strong as possible. Anyway, I am now freaking out because the recent hot weather combined with the bad air where I live in Central London have had a really bad effect on me and I can now hardly get a note out of the oboe at all!

This is really worrying me....I want to be able to give it my best shot and am really scared that I won't be able to. There'll probably be some little kiddies doing their grade 2 exams too....I hope they don't laugh at me!

Gah! Anyway, good luck to everyone who still has exams to come!

T xxx

Good luck in your exam! And good on you for having a go!

Yes, well done for learning an instrument I don't think the weather should be that hot this week so hopefully it won't affect you. Let us know how it goes, and welcome to the forums.

Good luck!

Oboebunny

Fantastic that you are taking your Oboe exam and I'm sure the examiner will be pleased to see you. The last examiner who worked with my pupils (oboists) told each of them how special they were because oboe is an "endangered species" instrument and begged them not to give up. He also said he hardly ever got a chance to examiner oboes so it was really nice to do so.

As regards breathing - make sure you breath deeply from the diaphragm and take all the breathing points you have agreed with your teacher in your exam. Try not to start inventing new ones on the day as that can cause you problems. Take a few deep breaths before you go in, stride in purposefully with a smile and you'll be surprised how quickly it will all pass and be over. You're bound to be nervous but the examiner will want you to do well. He/she wants to pass you, not (as some believe) to fail you.

Remember, too, that you can ask to do the aural tests after the pieces and that can give you a "breather" before the scales/sight-reading etc if you take that option.

Very best of luck - this is a fine achievement. Go for it and try to enjoy it.......

Fingers crossed for you

Good luck - from my experiences I would say examiners always seem very pleased to see an adult & in your case especially so as you're playing the oboe.
The examiners I've had have always asked if I would like to do the aurals after the pieces ( without me having to ask them). Didn't know whether this was the norm or that they'd taken pity on me . It does help to do it that way cos you can get your breathing straightened out again before the rest of the playing

Good luck, oboebunny - I hope it all goes well and isn't too hot on the exam day!

As you're in London, why don't you come along to our Forum Users' Concert in September and meet (and play with) some of the other people who post here? Send me a PM with your email address if you are interested, and I'll send you the info. We're all very nice!

Best of luck and hope all is favourable on the day.

Hello everyone, thank you so much for your kind comments! I am beginning to feel a bit better as the weather's getting cooler, and am quite looking forward to the exam

Jo.clarinet, I would absolutely LOVE to meet and play with other people here! I note that you also play the recorder - I love that instrument, I taught myself to read music with it as a child and would love to play in a recorder group if you know of one (I play the tenor mainly). Will PM you!

Thanks everyone!

T xxx

I think there is going to be a recorder group at the Forums Concert