Beginning Habits!
- Sit with great posture!
- Practice correct breathing: take deep breath in & fill your tummy tank up, exhale & empty your tummy tank
- Practice super FAST air! Put hand in front of face & blow super fast! No wimpy air allowed!!!
- Practice correct embouchure in front of mirror: round lips like you’ve pulled a drawstring, firm bottom lip & corners, never bite!
- Carefully place reed in your mouth only to the heart... do not put too much reed in your mouth!!!
- Take a proper breath, form a great oboe embouchure & blow really fast steady air. Hold it for 8 counts (tapping toe at a steady beat). This is a “long tone.”
- Try increasing long tones by 2-4 counts. Remember to check that everything above for proper technique.
- Practice sirens on your reed: roll bottom lip & corners in & out slowly while blowing really fast air. The reed does not move in & out, the heart stays on your lip & your mouth does all the hard work.
Assemble oboe:
- Put your case on the floor latch side up!
- Start with the bell in your left hand & rest it on your left knee, with keys facing the left carefully pick up the middle joint with your right hand (put palm on the back/black part & carefully put your fingers down on the keys being sure not to squeeze any silver rods), carefully line up the bridge key & gently turn & push joints together - cork grease will help if it is difficult...
- carefully pick up the upper joint with your right hand (put palm on the back/black part & carefully put your fingers down on the keys being sure not to squeeze any silver rods), carefully line up the two bridge keys & gently turn & push joints together - do not turn too far because youcan bend key
Playing your oboe:
- Practice correct fingering position: all fingers should lightly touch keys (including pinkies)! Look in a mirror.
- Make sure your oboe is at a 45 degree angle and your elbows are not too close to your body.
- Carefully insert your reed. Watch out for your reed! It’s now a target!
- Practice a “G” 1,2,3 in your left hand... hold it steady for 8 counts, increasing as you go...
- Practice your assigned notes... make sure your embouchure, air, posture & hands are all correct.
Cleaning your oboe:
- Make sure your swab has no knots in it! Never insert it in your oboe if it has knots!!!
- Drop it into the bell end & pull it out the top slowly & carefully.
Disassemble oboe:
- Take reed out & put it away in your reed case.
- Carefully remove the bell with your left hand & put it in your case.
- Carefully remove the middle joint with your right hand (put palm on the back/black part & carefully put your fingers down on the keys being sure not to squeeze any silver rods), don’t twist too far!!!
- Carefully remove the upper joint with your right hand (put palm on the back/black part & carefully put your fingers down on the keys being sure not to squeeze any silver rods), don’t twist too far!!!
Remember to learn things slowly & correctly! It is really hard to break bad habits but really easy to learn good ones!
