The Apple and the Oboe

I talk a lot about what it was like for me to go from being a professional “student” to a professional oboe player. Like every journey, it had its ups and downs. Often times there seemed to be more downs than ups. It’s not like we are given a map or anything to make the route a little easier. Looking back, it was all for a reason. Looking back, I…

Read more

Memories of John Mack

I just got done reading through the recent issue of The Double Reed and found all of the letters remembering the life of John Mack. I thought I would add mine to the mix… I went to the John Mack Oboe Camp one year and I came away with a tip that has affected my life in a very profound way – both inside and outside of music. It is…

Read more

It takes more than just great reeds…

Yesterday I was listening to the 9/16/06 NPR interview with Liang Wang, the new Principal Oboe of the New York Phil. The piece was called “Oboist Liang Wang: His Reeds Come First” and really focused on communicating just how important the art of reedmaking is to being a great oboist. Liang Wang is 26 years old and has already played in some of the greatest orchestras around. Hearing him play…

Read more

Twas the Day of the Concert…

It snowed for the first time last night in Batesville. Today it’s freezing. Definitely feels like the holidays (unless you grew up in Florida, Texas or somewhere else warm :). Here’s an excerpt from a Christmas poem, Twas the Day of the Concert, we just got done putting together. We’re not selling it, but we are giving it away… Here are the first two stanzas: Twas the day of the…

Read more

The pulse and sightreading…

We’ve just put the finishing touches on our new book, “Play It Right the First Time: The Oboist’s Guide to Becoming a Master Sightreader in Just 10 Minutes a Day.” In the book, I talk a lot about rhythm and pulse, and how very important that is to being a great sightreader. When it really comes down to it, having great rhythm and a rock solid (yet flexible) inner sense…

Read more

Boy Oh Boy, It’s a Girl!

Last Sunday, my daughter Talula Skye was born. Here’s a little picture of the cutie. She came right on time and was born into a quiet corner of our home. My husband caught her in the water and we haven’t let her out of our hands since. It was a miraculous experience – one that I will always remember very, very, well. One of the most amazing things about having…

Read more

What do you focus on? Oboe strengths or weaknesses?

Yesterday I was listening to a recording of some organ music of all things (my husband plays the pipe organ) and I started thinking about all of the things that I really love about music and the oboe. I love playing with friends. I love the bond that happens between all of us as we create together. It’s hardly work. As I thought about each of the things that draw…

Read more

Pickup Your Oboe Success Tips

When my husband and I sat down the other month to discuss the future of MKL Reeds, we both had the feeling inside that something needed to change. You know when you just have that feeling inside you but you just can’t put your finger on it? As a musician, you are probably more in tune (no pun intended) with noticing that feeling than most people. Well, that’s where we…

Read more

Do you inspire the music or does it inspire you?

Most of you know that, a few weeks ago, my family made a change and moved from the big city of Chicago to the little town of Batesville Indiana. The city of Chicago is beautiful, and Batesville is even more beautiful, in a different way. Right now, as the leaves are changing and the air is turning crisp, it is hard to ignore all of the inspiring things that are…

Read more

Not gonna be a reedmaker?

If you aren’t planning to learn reedmaking now or anytime in the near future, the best thing you can do is learn how to scrape the reeds that you do buy. To do that, you’ve got to know the parts of a reed. Here’s a very simple diagram that will make it clear if you are just starting out. Get the Oboe Reed Diagram Feel free to pass it on…

Read more