Learn to learn music! I struggled through band as a kid, seriously, I was last chair in the district 3 years in a row, as in the worst oboe player period. The trouble was that I loved music. It wasnt until I met a teacher who finally showed me how…
Student teaching Tips from Veteran Music teachers Whether you are planning on teaching band, orchestra, choir, or general music, student teaching is potentially the most formative part of your education. Student teaching can be overwhelming but I asked dozens of music teachers and compiled this list of tips to help…
Choose the perfect music school for you in 5 easy steps Choosing what music schools to apply to can be a daunting process. It can feel overwhelming because it has the potential to prepare you for a great career or leave you reaching for an impossible dream. The fact is…
How to get started on the oboe, a beginner’s guide Congratulations, the oboe is a wonderful instrument that will allow you to play beautiful music, help you learn a lot about life. To help your transition into oboe-hood go as smoothly as possible, this short guide will cover the following…
Testing an oboe reed - 4 tips to improve your oboe sanity! Being able to test the reed is crucial to good reed making and is imperative for students who are choosing a reed that will work for them. Whether you are a student trying out a bunch of reeds…
Summer Festivals and more for Young Musicians, all levels by State Students who want to pursue a career in instrumental music need to immerse themselves in the scene as much as possible. This includes summer instruction from different professors than they would normally have access too. Summer festivals provide great…
How to: high notes on the oboe (Fingerings and tips for the 2nd/3rd octave with video tutorial) How do you get high notes out on the oboe? When you learn a new fingering for a high note on the oboe it can be tempting to blow really hard and squeeze…
How to break in an oboe reed (how long does it take?) Reeds for oboe, bassoon, clarinet or saxophone need some time to adjust to their environment and the player. This process is called “ breaking in the reed”. To break in a reed make sure that the reed is…
How to clean your oboe, and why Daily cleaning of the oboe is mostly about removing moisture from the bore, but periodically, more thorough cleaning is necessary. Neglecting to keep the oboe clean will eventually be detrimental to the playability of the instrument. Don’t neglect your beloved instrument! As you blow…
Oboe Articulation Single, Double, Flutter and more (With Video Tutorials) How to articulate on the oboe Clarity of articulation is imperative for expressive music making, can prove to be a unique challenge on the oboe. The oboist must use the breath, tongue and embouchure in concert to produce notes from…