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…
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…
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…
Program notes and thoughts on Hummel Introduction, Theme and Variations in F Major, Op. 102 oboe and orchestra Certain pieces in the oboe repertoire demand careful study for any students wishing to pursue a professional career and Hummel’s concerto for oboe and orchestra is no exception. The piece is accessible…
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…
Why is the oboe to play? Advice from veteran Band Directors and Oboe teachers The oboe is one of the most recognizable sounds in the orchestra or band, and composers often use its sweet singing quality to carry the most sensitive and beautiful melodies. Learning the oboe can be extremely…
Playing in tune on the oboe: exercises and tips Can you tune an oboe? A friend of mine, who is a band director, complained that all his oboe students play very out of tune and invited me to come work with them. I began to have flashbacks of my own…
How to alleviate hand position problems on the oboe. (Especially for young players) Often, getting the right hand to hold the oboe can be a challenging feat for young oboe players. As players grow they may have to relearn or compensate for strange habits they formed as youngsters in order…