Valparaiso, Indiana

Good breathing is essential for all singers and oboists can learn much by listening to and observing singers perform.  Good breath support begins  from the diaphragm (the muscle below your lung)that activates your breathing from the bottom of your lungs.  If this is confusing simply lay down and place an object on your stomach area.  You will notice that the object will move up and down automatically with no direction from you.  However, we you are sitting or standing to play the oboe you can easily begin breathing from the top of your lungs that gives you little to no support of your air stream into the oboe reed.

Good breath support takes both practice and awareness.  When you begin to play a note on the oboe think about your breath support starting with the diaphragm and directing the air upward towards your sinus area.  It is normal to think that blowing the are down through the oboe towards the floor is the obvious idea; however, you will find that your sound will tend to be flat or too low in pitch and the quality of the tone very unfocused.

Work with your oboe teacher, band director, or another music student on this topic of breath support to assure you are breathing correctly when playing the oboe.  The proper air speed and direction  through the oboe gives the oboe sound ” life” and vitality.
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Students and oboists, our reeds are available at several locations and online. See our website for purchasing information: http://stradellareeds.com/find_us/