Oboe


 * THE OBOE**


 * Embouchure / Hand Position**
 * 1) //Embouchure//
 * 2) Duties of a well-formed embouchure:
 * 3) Makes an air seal around the reed
 * 4) Allows clear articulation- tip of the reed must clear both the upper and lower lips inside the mouth so that the tongue can touch the opening with out touching either lip.
 * 5) Provide flexibility to allow clear resonance through all registers
 * 6) Provide stability to allow clear resonance through all registers
 * 7) General embouchure principals:
 * 8) Basic position:
 * 9) Close to the tip of the reed on the lips.
 * 10) Chin should be flat, following the curve of the teeth.
 * 11) Corners should be firm, but in the same position as when the face is at rest
 * 12) Jaw should be about as far apart as when the individual whistles.
 * 13) Low Register/ High Register embouchure adjustment:
 * 14) Low- move closer to the tip of the reed
 * 15) High-move closer to the thread.
 * 16) The reed DOES NOT MOVE but the lips carry the reed in or out
 * 17) How to develop a Embouchure / Make a Sound Correctly
 * 18) Work on the embouchure for a short amount of time, every day
 * 19) Break down the process:
 * 20) Whistle to identify firm chin and corners, as well as jaw opening.
 * 21) From the whistling position, wrap upper lip around upper teeth. This will carry the lower lip in far enough.
 * 22) Rest the reed on the lower lip.
 * 23) Close the mouth.
 * 24) Place the tongue completely over the opening of the reed.
 * 25) Blow gently- No sound should be herd.
 * 26) Release the tongue, allowing the reed to vibrate
 * 27) [[file:auwoodwindmethods/OboeFingers&Trills.pdf|Finger Chart 1]]
 * 28) [[file:auwoodwindmethods/OboeAltissimoFingerings.pdf|Fingering Chart 2]]
 * 29) [[file:OboeAltissimoFingerings.pdf]]
 * 30) [[file:OboeFingers&Trills.pdf]]


 * 1) //Hand Position//
 * 2) Best technical facility comes from curved fingers, do not allow students to play with straight or locked fingers.
 * 3) An easy way to train muscles for correct finger position is to have the student make circles with each finger and the thumb.
 * 4) Finger placement for the oboe-
 * 5) The first knuckle of each hand should be above, but not touching, the second octave key/ right hand A-flat key/ The little finger of each hand should be above, but not touching, the center point of the keys it operates. The thumb position is highly individual; usually, setting the position for the first and little fingers will guide you to a good thumb placement. the left thumb should touch the body of the instrument when it is not on the first octave key, and should be curved gently outward whenever possible (not squeezing). The ring finger of each hand needs some flexibility in order to allow the little finger to reach all of the keys, unfortunately this is the finger which many players are tempted to keep stiff and straight


 * Vibrato**

"Vibrato should be like the "Midas Touch"- it should make everything it touches better. It if dosn't, examine your vibrato to see how you can modify it to achieve this goal! Further, vibrato should confirm the pitch, not confuse it" - John Mack


 * 1) Abdominal vibrato is equivalent to a violinist creating vibrato with the bow- its ineffective to expect the soure of the sound to create the vibrato. The jaw, tongue, and hand are other ineffective means of creating vibrato.
 * 2) There are five acceptable locations of vibrato-
 * Whistle: Whistle "yankee doodle" without sound-
 * Motion is under the chin, about one inch back
 * Sister: say "sis" repeatedly
 * Motion is in the tonsil area
 * Vocal: Sing with Vibrato-
 * Motion is in the voice box
 * Cough: Imagine you have a very sore throat, but have to cough gently
 * Motion at the sides of the throat, slightly below the adams apple
 * Laugh: Put your open hand where the chest meets the neck and thumb on one side of the neck, four fingers on the other.
 * Motion is along the curve of your hand, between the thumb and index fingers.


 * Reeds and Reed Adjustment**
 * 1) [[file:auwoodwindmethods/OboeReedDrills&Adjust.pdf|Reed Drills and Adjustment]]
 * 2) Another Source for Reed Info: [|Oboe Reed Info 2]
 * Your normal music store oboe reed is //**not expectable**// for any student besides a very early beginner! They are not made properly and will encourage bad embouchure habits.


 * Sources for Reeds:
 * Mark Chudnow Woodwinds - [|www.mcwoboe.com]
 * Midwest Musical Imports- [|www.mmimports.com]
 * Forrests Music- [|www.forrestmusic.com]
 * Edmund Nielson Woodwinds- [|www.nielson-woodwinds.com]
 * Covey Oboes- [|www.oboes.com]
 * Marlin Lesher - fairly inexpensive and handmade - can be purchased from various vendors - I like the "regular" and Artist models - Music123.com


 * 1) //Basic Reed Tests and Adjustments//
 * Appearance Test:
 * Two blades hold together all the way up to the tip
 * each blade is symmetrical
 * Tip is intact- no big chunks missing
 * Crow Tests:
 * Tip Crow: reed in normal embouchure position, repeatedly articulate loud notes; not lower than C. Clip if flat
 * Check for loose sides: play C at tip, draw reed out from embouchure, shouldn't drop below an A
 * Thread Crow: not lower than octave C's or higher than octave C#'s. If flat, clip tip/close reed; if sharp double check tip, the scrape lightly all over.
 * Oboe Tests
 * High C softly: easy, quick response? If not- thin sides/top corners of tip
 * Tough full dynamic high A, B-flat, B-natural, C repeatedly. If flat clip tip, is spread and wild, increase definition between tip and plateau; if too restricted, smooth definition at the front of plateau.
 * Alternate slurred between low A and G, G should be deeper, richer than A. If not scrape more from channels of the back.
 * Alternate quickly between low/high A, B-flat,B, C, touching the octave key lightlyL if upper notes are more than slightly flat- clip tip.


 * Oboes and Oboe Maintenance**

with one exception when one adjustment balances how two pads close, the pad that is closer to the activating motion must close a bit tighter
 * Key Care-
 * oil with 30- weight every 4-6 months
 * brush dust away with inexpensive paintbrush, cosmetic brush
 * vacuum the case out, the gunk will transfer to the oboe
 * Adjustment-
 * Turning screw clockwise tightens the screw and resulting in adjustment, and vice versa
 * skin pads will not "grab" the testing paper as well as cork pads

//**How to Purchace an Oboe:**//
 * [|Oboe Buying Guide]
 * This website from woodwind and brass wind offers a wealth of information on the different categories of oboe, the materials they are made of, as well as the price range of the instruments as well.
 * [|Another Buying Guide]


 * Other Useful Information:**
 * [[file:auwoodwindmethods/OboeInfo-Various.pdf|General Repertoire List]]
 * Oboes for Idgits
 * [[file:CWI-Oboe.pdf]]
 * [[file:OboeInfo-Various.pdf]]
 * Oboe and Reed Information