Valparaiso, Indiana

# 1

Beginner oboists can control the “pitch” or “intonation” of their instrument.  The air speed, finding the “sweet spot” on the oboe reed that will vibrate the pitch, “G,”  rolling both lips over their teeth, and stretching their teeth apart like yawning while their lips are around the reed will help with good intonation in the low, middle, and high registers of the oboe.

# 2

The purchase of an inexpensive tuner will help the oboist find the correct pitch.  In most bands the tuning note is “Bb”  and with all orchestras the tuning note is “A.”  The oboe sounds a “sawtooth wave.”  This wave projects sound the farthest distance and produces a very cutting sound (violins, oboes, bagpipes, and trumpets produce a sawtooth wave) so all can hear it distinctly.  Thus, playing “in tune” is most important.

# 3

If the oboe sounds flat it means that the opening at the tip of the reed is too pen and needs to be more closed or there is too little reed in the mouth of the oboist.  Taking a little more reed in your mouth will cause the pitch to rise or play sharper.  If the oboe sounds sharp there is too much reed in the mouth of the oboist and the reed needs to be pulled out with the lips closer to the tip of the reed.

# 4

If the oboist is playing at the correct spot on the oboe reed but the sound is still flat it is due to the air speed being to slow or the direction of the air is downward.  It is important for the oboist to support the air from the diaphragm (a muscle just below the lungs) and direct the air upward into the sinus area.  You want to paint the ceiling with  our air direction and speed.  Do not sweep the floor with your air direction and speed.

# 5

If the oboist is still struggling with good intonation it is due to the embouchure or lip placement around the reed being too relaxed (like jell-o).  The embouchure should be like ice-very firm.  The top lip is the most important lip in playing the oboe.  It is important that there is not any red portion of the lip showing when you look in the mirror at your embouchure when playing  just the reed.

# 6

The tone of your instrument and the pitch of your instrument are connected.  usually a great oboe sound is great because the oboist is playing in tune at all times, and when the oboist is playing in  tune a great chocolate-like oboe tone results.

# 7

It is important for the beginner oboist to practice 15-20 minutes at a tie and then rest before continuing their practice.  In the early weeks of playing the muscles supporting the embouchure will be weak and need to be exercised daily.  With daily practice the embouchure will become strong;  thus, the oboist will have more endurance and be able to play the oboe for longer periods of time.