Valparaiso, Indiana

# 1

In book one for the beginner oboist most of the music is on the downbeat featuring the quarter note and eighth note.  The half note, dotted half note, and whole note are more difficult to play because they are longer notes with less and the oboist must internalize the beat while they hold these longer notes.

# 2

If the longer notes continue to be a challenge tongue the longer rhythms on each beat.  Tongue the half note twice on beat one and tow, the dotted half note three times on beats one, two, and three, and the whole note four times on beats one, two, three, and four.  Then gradually hear the two beats on each half note, three beats on each dotted half note, and four beats on each whole note.  The key to play with good rhythms is listening first and playing second.  One must hear the rhythms before playing the rhythms.  One cannot just guess the rhythms.

# 3

The dotted quarter note is the first major rhythmic challenge in book one.   The key to learning the rhythm is to read and write the rhythm as a quarter note followed by two eighth notes and a quarter note.  One can say, “one, two-and three” or “Pie Ap-ple Pie.  Next, tie together the quarter note to the first eighth note.  The quarter note tied to the  first eighth note will receive 1 1/2 beats. Think “stretch-the-note” and tap your foot twice on the word, “stretch.”  The second eighth note will sound after your second foot tap and the final quarter note will sound when you tape you foot the third time.  Play your Bb scale with this dotted quarter note pattern on each step of the scale- “Stretch-The-Note.”  Remember to tap your foot twice on the dotted quarter note (quarter note tied to an eighth note).

# 4

When you are learning rhythms it is important to hear the silence between the notes.  It is the silence that gives notes rhythm or a group of notes a rhythmic pattern.  Remember to not only play the correct rhythms or rhythmic patterns but play the correct silence or patterns of silence..  As   you read various rhythms in book one try to close your eyes and hear the rhythm and feel the rhythm.  Then, try reading the rhythms while listening and feeling the rhythms, and you will be more successful, consistent, and confident.

# 5

Try clapping the rhythms in book one as your tape your foot.  Then, sing the tunes, tape you r foot, and clap the rhythms as the same time.  When this works for you, try performing the rhythms in book one with your oboe while taping your foot .  Your foot provides the beat and your oboe provides the rhythms and melodies.     Hearing it all before you begin playing the oboe guarantees your success with different rhythmic notes and patterns.