Valparaiso, Indiana

Concerto No. 8 in Bb Major (Movement IV) by George Frederick Handel

(This solo is published by G. Schirmer, Inc. in a collection titled,  SOLOS FOR THE OBOE PLAYER,  Whitney Tustin, Editor.)

For the beginning oboist there are a number of interesting oboe solos that are interesting, challenging, and easily playable with daily practice.  This piece is the first in a series of beginning level oboe solos that will be outlined for beginning oboe students to assist them in productive practicing techniques leading to a great performance.

In your collection of oboes solos titled, SOLOS FOR THE OBOE PLAYER, turn to page 8.  This is the fourth movement of Concerto No. 8 by George Frederick Handel.

# 1

The piece begins in the key of Bb major and the opening melody at measure one repeats again at letter “D”.  The tempo is Vivace; however, play this at a slower tempo in performance an an even slower tempo in these early days of practice.  Practice the first four measures of the melody. Start the first note with a regular “F” fingering-not a forked “F” fingering.

The key to success in starting a new solo is a slow but steady tempo paying attention to the correct rhythms and correct fingers.  Now go to the next four measures and again use the regular “F” finger for the low “F” in measure “5” rather than a forked “F” fingering.  Finish the final four measures and play from the beginning to letter “A”.  Repeat the same format at letter “D” to the end of the piece.  Notice at letter “D” the music is very soft (pianissimo), crescendos during the last four measures and slows down the final two measures (ritardando.).

# 2

Start at letter “C” using the regular “F” fingering.  Notice that  the start of this melody is the same exact melody as measure #5; thus there is nothing new to learn for the first  few measures.  However the last three measures of letter “C” has a new melody.  Play these last three measures ALL TONGUED-NO SLURS-NO TRILLS.  Make sure you hold the dotted quarter notes  (Bb & C) longer than one beat-each receive 1 1/2 beats.  Now add the ties and slurs hearing the same rhythm your played when all notes were tongued.

There are two notes with trills (A & C). Trilling from the note “A” to the note above- “Bb” requires moving your second finger on your left hand.  Try this slowly and gradually increase the speed of your finger movement.  Repeat the same routine starting with the note “C” and moving the second finger on your right hand touching the small silver key between your first and second key your normally play with your right hand.  Simply, bend your second finger and you will easily touch this “trill key”.

Remember the trill should be slow to fast and stop on the lower of the two notes.  Do not trill too long.  Start and stop both trills on the lower note which is also the printed note-“A” & “C”.  Keep the tempo slow and gradually increase the tempo to a comfortable but cheerful tempo.

# 3

Start at letter “B”.  The notes in this section skip around.  Thus, it is important to keep your air moving quickly upward towards the ceiling, not downward towards the floor.  With a faster air speed you notes will connect and be better in tune.  Check octaves in the second and fourth measures-low “A” to high “A” and low “C” to high “C”.  Be sure your are slurring and tonguing the notes correctly.  This section starts softly, gradually gets louder (crescendo) and gradually gets softer (diminuendo).

Again, play this section slowly with a steady tempo.  Gradually increase the tempo as you become more comfortable with the notes, the skips, and the articulation (correct tonguing and slurring patterns).

# 4

Start at letter “A”.  We save this section to last because there are more notes.  Playing this section slowly and four measures at a time will be most helpful and less frustrating.  Be sure to check the “F#” fingering in the fourth measure.  Put down three fingers of your left hand and your first finger of your right hand with the octave key.  In measure five use regular note “F” to note “E” natural (three fingers of your left hand and two fingers of your right hand plus the first octave key).

To go from note “F” to note “F” you can move just your first finger of your right hand.  In the next measure start with the regular “F” fingering.  In measure ten (low F#, half-hole D, and high A) be sure to slur the notes and remember the finger for F# as indicated above with no octave key.   Notice that the music gradually gets louder (crescendo) in this measures which helps with the quality of your sound.

# 5

Now you are ready to play the entire piece without stopping!  For success, play at a slow steady tempo and pay attention to the measures where you need a breath.  Be sure to exhale first and inhale second when you are breathing.  You will need to exhale more air than you inhale.  Exhale a cup of air and inhale a tablespoon of air.  This will allow you breathing to be more in balance.  You can bring the music to a STOP after you play the note before letter “C”-take time to breathe and then restart.

This should be no more than a two-second break in the music.  Breathing after each dotted half note throughout the piece feels normal and musical.  Increase your tempo with practice so that the music sounds happy and cheerful.  The best tempo is the tempo where you can easily play all the correct fingerings, rhythms, articulations, and dynamics without stopping at any time.

Go to our YouTube videos where this piece is performed and the details listed above are demonstrated.