Beginner Oboe Practice Sessions

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!