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…
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…
Low notes not working on your oboe? How to fix it! When the low notes won’t speak on the oboe the frustration can be overwhelming and you will wish that you had picked the flute or trumpet in beginning band. The most common causes of low notes not working are adjustment…
How can I avoid playing sharp on the oboe? And how to play in tune. Most middle and high school oboe students who practice find themselves in a constant struggle not to play sharp with the rest for the ensemble. This can be so frustrating as most well meaning band…
How can I improve my oboe embouchure with Photos and Video Forming and controlling the oboe embouchure is a critical skill for players of all levels. The following exercises include helpful techniques for beginners just learning to form their mouths and advanced players hoping to take their tone to the…
REED DEATH! How to tell if your oboe reed is broken or needs replacing We learn early to value reeds and play them until they wont... Often when I start beginners I provide them with a reed to learn their first notes on. To be honest, it is rare to…
How much is my used oboe worth? Oboe Depreciation Ins and Outs As I prepared for a big audition, a mentor suggested that upgrading to a new instrument may improve some facets of my playing and take me to the next level. I was discouraged by the prospect of having…
Teaching tone, articulation, and practicing Contrasting features of the pedagogical writings of professors that begin with the letter S:Sprenkle, Schaeferdiek, and Schurring In contrast to the pedagogical canon and lineage of instruments like the violin, cello or even the clarinet, the trajectory of oboe pedagogy is especially hard to trace…
What band directors wish they knew about teaching oboe Teaching band has a myriad of challenges that can make almost any other job seem like a breeze by comparison. It is made harder by the confounding nature of teaching the oboe for non oboists. When I started teaching band I…
Step-by-step guide to making All-State Band/Orchestra with Tips on winning Auditions There is fierce competition at the high school level to surpass other musicians in the state. Some states are more or less competitive, depending on the size and skill level of the music programs. I will focus on my…