#teaching oboe

oboe reeds for beginners

  The oboe is often recognized as one of the most difficult instruments to play. Beginning oboe students are often intimidated by the reputation of the instrument. The oboe is a rather difficult instrument for several reasons, but the major difficulty is dealing with the oboe reed. The reed itself is constructed of a piece of bamboo-like cane called Arundo Donax which is cut, thinned, shaped and…

How to play dynamics on the oboe

Building a large dynamic range on the oboe can be challenging for oboe students of all ages. Students must work smart and hard to create a large range of dynamics from ppp, to fff with a beautiful rich tone throughout the whole range.  It is often easy for oboists to get stuck in  mezzo forte land where every dynamic level is the same. Dynamics provide shape to the musical phrase, contrast…