I had the pleasure of playing Tombeau for the first time a couple weeks ago. I played second oboe/English horn and it was a really fun part, though there are some really quick switches. Due to some past wrist problems, I play both oboe and English horn with a neckstrap now, and fast switches always offer a sort of conundrum for me: Is it better to wear 2 different neckstraps…
Last week, I managed to fall on a hard linoleum floor and ended up with a lovely goose egg on the back of my head. Playing the oboe with a goose-egg is much like playing with a head-cold — the pressure is painful and every reed feels too hard. Ouch. To counterbalance the pressure, I made all my reeds really light and easy to play without really blowing. Now that…
In the freelancing world, there is often a lot of the same work; pick-up orchestras for the Messiah, or maybe church wedding gigs. So, I always get a little excited when something comes along that is really different, and more importantly, really fun to do. Not that long ago, I got the chance to play with a professional vocal ensemble, and was thrilled to discover a piece for choir and…
If you haven’t been around MKL Reeds in a bit, you may have missed the announcement about our first foray into the publishing world. It’s called, “How to Raise a Young Oboist WITHOUT Going Broke.” It’s specifically written for oboe parents. So what prompted me to write my very first e-book, you ask? Well, I’ll tell you….. As many of you teachers out there would agree, oboe parents that “get…
Listening to other oboists play is a great way to stay in the “loop,” get new ideas, and inspire your thoughts on a piece of music. I just got 2 new CDs of incredible oboe and English horn playing: Julie Giacobassi (with guest artists Rodger Weismeyer and Eugene Isatov) Eugene Isatov in solo New CDs are also a great way to learn about new rep– On the Giacobassi recording, I…
Growing up in NY state, we had NYSMA solo contests, which featured graded solos of our choice. But here in IL, they’re called IMEA contests, and instead of featuring solos, they require a slow and fast Ferling study (no choice of which ones, they are assigned each year). I’ve prepared lots of students on these and have judged them a few times, and it really seems that these are way…
In the past month, I’ve had 2 colleagues brave the bass oboe part in Holst’s Planets, one here in Chicago and one in Nashville. It’s a very cool part and doubles on oboe, and there are some juicy low B solo tidbits that are pretty scary. I’ve tried a Heckelphone before, but the few notes my friend let me honk out this past month was the only time I’ve tried…
When this time of year rolls around, I always get nostalgic for all of those good school memories I have of being at Eastman, in Rochester NY. By now, it is REALLY fall in Rochester and I associate that with getting back into the swing of things, oboe-wise. The school year always started with an oboe studio meeting (and sometimes a party) that allowed all the new and old oboists…
I’ve been playing more English horn lately and it’s got me thinking about the importance of a good bocal. Bocals can vary completely in sound, pitch, and stability, but finding the right combination for your horn and playing style can make a world of difference. Currently I’m playing a Laubin 3 and Hiniker 2 B11. I really like how the Laubin sounds—covered and smooth, but sometimes it can feel small,…
You know when you’re kind of in a slump? Not a reed slump or an oboe slump necessarily, but just feeling blah? I’ve felt this way the last few days or so… nothing “wrong” per se, the weather’s been good and everything is really fine. Maybe it’s a momentary lack of motivation or just too much time in the car enduring the unsurpassable Chicago traffic. I don’t really know, but…