Valparaiso, Indiana

# 1

The quality of your oboe tone is based on the balance of the following: quality of instrument, quality of reed, the position of your lips around your reed (embouchure), finding the “sweet spot” on your reed that will buzz the note “G,” the speed of your air, and the direction of your air.

# 2

The beginning oboist needs a good beginning instrument that works well in the low, middle, and upper registers and is in good repair.  Check with your local music dealer for advice in renting a beginning level oboe for a reasonable price.  The quality of the oboe reed is equal in importance to the quality of the oboe.  The oboe reed provides the oboe with “vocal cords.”  No reed (no vocal cords) means zero sound.  Your goal is to sing through your oboe reed and your instrument to produce the best chocolate-like sound in all registers.

# 3

There are a number of good oboe reeds; however, we recommend our STRADELLA oboe reed  which comes in different strengths.  We recommend the medium soft reed for beginners.  You can purchase our STRADELLA reed online at Woodwind Brasswind.  The oboe reed needs to be soaked for five minutes in water.  Observe the tip of the reed opening.  It should be crescent-shaped, not oval or flat-shaped for the best tone quality.

#4

When you place the reed in your mouth be sure to roll your lips over our teeth with no red parts of your lips visible when you look in the mirror.  Pull your teeth apart like you are yawning while your lips are around the reed.

# 5

Your air direction is upward into your sinus area.  Play the oboe like you would sing falsetto (your highest voice pitch).  Do not blow air into the oboe from he bottom of your throat as if you were singing in your lowest voice (radio voice).  The speed of the air needs to be fast and directed upward.  Take a breath and  buzz your reed for 5 seconds.  Repeat and buzz your reed for 10 seconds.  Be sure to hold the pitch steady.  Both lips should be firm around the reed like ice, not loose like jell-o.

# 6

As you are comfortable buzzing the reed, try to buzz the reed sounding the note “G.”  Play the note “G” on your oboe and remove the reed and play the same pitch by buzzing your reed.  Be sure you place your lips towards the tip of the reed to match the note “G.”  If the note sounds flat or sad increase your air speed and adjust the placement of your lips on the reed by slightly moving the reed in your mouth between your lips.  If the sound is sharp or too thin take less reed by pulling the reed out of your mouth.  Be sure the reed is not too closed.

# 7

Play our first scales (Bb and Eb) and practice playing the scales in quarter notes followed by half notes and finally whole notes.  You are striving to produce a chocolate-like sound that is easy to control in all registers.