slow

Step # 15 Sonata # 2 (Movement III-Adagio) by Handel

February 16th, 2013

Step # 15 Sonata # 2 (Movement III-Adagio) by Handel

Published by Amsco Music Publishing Company

This piece is part of a collection titled OBOE SOLOS Arranged by Jay Arnold

# 1

Sonata # 2 includes four movements. Movement three is a slow short movement that works well for beginning oboists. It is in the key of G minor (two flats) with a melody that is mainly on the staff using notes that are in all book one oboe methods.

# 2

The Adagio tempo is one beat per second or M.M. = 60. It is important to have a light reed with an easy response when tonguing. In measures four and five there are “Ab’ fingerings. Be sure to check your fingering chart for the correct fingering. In measure six there is a “B” natural rather than a “Bb”. Again, check your fingering chart for accuracy. You should use just your first finger for this fingering.

# 3

In measure 8 there is a high “Ab” fingering using the first octave key followed by two “F#” fingerings. Double check your fingering chart for these fingerings using the first octave key. The piece ends on a low “F#” with no octave key.

# 4

The dynamics are important in performing this slow short composition. It is a beautiful short piece with all the dynamics performed. Keep the air flowing with the crescendos and diminuendos. Be sure to be playing at the tip of the reed and be sure the reed opening is not too open. As there are many soft sections of the piece having a responsive reed will help ease the resistance.

# 5

Be aware of your breathing. Finding the best spots to breathe is very important. It is easy to breathe after every two or four measures as you need a breath. Be sure to exhale-inhale when breathing with more air going out than coming into your lungs. After you perform your final note that is a fermata (hold) with a rest. Keep your reed in your mouth during this fermata and then move your reed out of your mouth at the end of the fermata. This is a dramatic ending that requires the oboist to be still for this ending.

# 6

Ask your music director to help you find a good piano accompanist. Give yourself time to practice this piece a number of times before playing it in public. Perform for friends at home and for classmates at school. Because this piece is short, it would be good to match it with another beginning level piece that is faster. The combination of a slow piece and a faster piece is exciting for the audience on a school recital or at the local solo and ensemble contest where a professional oboist can judge your performance.

# 7

There is a YouTube performance of this piece that covers the information listed above. Go to our home page and click on BEGINNER OBOE on the right side of the page. It will take you to the listing of suggested oboe solos for beginners. Click on # 15. Good luck with all your practicing and performances.