Yesterday, after months of waiting, my INNODLEDY oboe gouger finally arrived. It was supposed to to be a graduation present from Tyler (my husband) all the way back in May... then we found out that there was a pretty long wait list!
Anyway, it got here in an adorable little Burberry-esque case and Tyler helped me (and my non-mechanical mind) set it up. It is so awesome! I am so thrilled to be able to literally churn out consistent cane- I am betting it is going to help ease the pain of reedmaking, if only a small bit.
I was down to my last blank from my KGE cane and now I can go to my pound of tube cane that has been waiting forever to be processed!
Oboe nerdy-ness has officially ensued :)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Making it Happen...
Well, I am currently delving into my third week working as the oboe parapro for the school district. So far I have to say- it has been great!
Teaching is something that I really love doing. I had such great oboe teachings all my life, I just feel like it is natural to want to help others by sharing with them what my teachers have taught me. It feels great to be out in the world actually using everything that I spent all those years in school learning- especially because I'm helping people.
And boy do a lot of these schools really need help. It is really evident that the oboe just must be the bain of many band directors' existence, because all of them have admitted to feeling incompetent on it and all of their students are really REALLY struggling.
I think one of the biggest problems I have encountered so far would have to be reeds. Oh Reeds, Reeds, REEDS. What I want people to understand about reeds... is that just like any good investment, you get what you give.
If you buy a $5 machine made oboe reed, it is going to sound and act just like a $5 machine made oboe reed. If you buy a $13 handmade reed, and really learn how to take care of your reeds, you are going to have a longer lasting, better sounding and playing reed that is going to help you get a lot more out of your time with the oboe.
Simple Reed Savers ($$ Savers in the end) include:
1. Soaking the reed in water, not spit. Our saliva contains food particles and digestive enzymes that will break down the cane used to make an oboe reed faster than you can say Loree. Not to mention, it is just gross. A simple water container such as a well cleaned pill bottle or film canister is sufficient.
2. Invest a few dollars in a good reed case. This can be as cheap as the $3 reedgard or expensive as a french ribbon-style case like this. These types of cases keep the reeds safe and secure, and most importantly protect the tip of the reed, the most delicate part.
Most student reeds come in plastic tubes or coffins which are fine for retail purposes (short term) but can really REALLY damage reeds, usually ruining them.
3. If possible, buy your reeds from a oboist. Hopefully your private oboe instructor. Oboists are trained to make handcrafted reeds from beginning to end. That is; starting with a piece of tube cane, splitting and gouging, shaping, tying the reed onto a staple and finally, hand scraping it to perfection. The end result being a playing, flexible, responsive, and STABLE oboe reed that will last far longer than one made my a machine.
These are just a few tips, but basically what I want young oboists, their parents, and their ensemble directors to understand is that the oboe is more of an investment than other instruments. Not simply because of the cash you have to dole out for the reeds and the expensive horn, but a time investment as well.
Often times, there are not many oboes in a middle school program, and maybe there isn't an oboe instructor in your area. If this is the case, find music to listen to for the oboe. It is everywhere, chances are if you have watched a movie these days, you have heard an oboe and maybe not even have known it!!!
The oboe is so special because it so closely resembles singing, therefore, it is possible to have a personal sound just like an individual voice. Because of this, it is imperative to have a model as a student. So go out and start listening to some music, you may be suprised to find how present the oboe is out there!
Private instruction may be more affordable than you realize, so talk to local music stores or your band director about where to find a teacher. Playing a musical instrument is truly something that you can do for a lifetime, unlike athletics it is something that your body (hopefully!!) will always be capable of.
Teaching is something that I really love doing. I had such great oboe teachings all my life, I just feel like it is natural to want to help others by sharing with them what my teachers have taught me. It feels great to be out in the world actually using everything that I spent all those years in school learning- especially because I'm helping people.
And boy do a lot of these schools really need help. It is really evident that the oboe just must be the bain of many band directors' existence, because all of them have admitted to feeling incompetent on it and all of their students are really REALLY struggling.
I think one of the biggest problems I have encountered so far would have to be reeds. Oh Reeds, Reeds, REEDS. What I want people to understand about reeds... is that just like any good investment, you get what you give.
If you buy a $5 machine made oboe reed, it is going to sound and act just like a $5 machine made oboe reed. If you buy a $13 handmade reed, and really learn how to take care of your reeds, you are going to have a longer lasting, better sounding and playing reed that is going to help you get a lot more out of your time with the oboe.
Simple Reed Savers ($$ Savers in the end) include:
1. Soaking the reed in water, not spit. Our saliva contains food particles and digestive enzymes that will break down the cane used to make an oboe reed faster than you can say Loree. Not to mention, it is just gross. A simple water container such as a well cleaned pill bottle or film canister is sufficient.
2. Invest a few dollars in a good reed case. This can be as cheap as the $3 reedgard or expensive as a french ribbon-style case like this. These types of cases keep the reeds safe and secure, and most importantly protect the tip of the reed, the most delicate part.
Most student reeds come in plastic tubes or coffins which are fine for retail purposes (short term) but can really REALLY damage reeds, usually ruining them.
3. If possible, buy your reeds from a oboist. Hopefully your private oboe instructor. Oboists are trained to make handcrafted reeds from beginning to end. That is; starting with a piece of tube cane, splitting and gouging, shaping, tying the reed onto a staple and finally, hand scraping it to perfection. The end result being a playing, flexible, responsive, and STABLE oboe reed that will last far longer than one made my a machine.
These are just a few tips, but basically what I want young oboists, their parents, and their ensemble directors to understand is that the oboe is more of an investment than other instruments. Not simply because of the cash you have to dole out for the reeds and the expensive horn, but a time investment as well.
Often times, there are not many oboes in a middle school program, and maybe there isn't an oboe instructor in your area. If this is the case, find music to listen to for the oboe. It is everywhere, chances are if you have watched a movie these days, you have heard an oboe and maybe not even have known it!!!
The oboe is so special because it so closely resembles singing, therefore, it is possible to have a personal sound just like an individual voice. Because of this, it is imperative to have a model as a student. So go out and start listening to some music, you may be suprised to find how present the oboe is out there!
Private instruction may be more affordable than you realize, so talk to local music stores or your band director about where to find a teacher. Playing a musical instrument is truly something that you can do for a lifetime, unlike athletics it is something that your body (hopefully!!) will always be capable of.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Oboe ED
One of my new favorite online oboe followings are the youtube videos that Karen Birch Blundell has been making... they are a great online resource for oboe students!!!
In this video, she discusses getting back to the oboe after some time away, but other topics include vibrato, and rehearsal etiquette.
http://www.youtube.com/user/klbtree#p/u/3/0H4n9KtghDA
Enjoy, in celebration of my new teaching gig :)
In this video, she discusses getting back to the oboe after some time away, but other topics include vibrato, and rehearsal etiquette.
http://www.youtube.com/user/klbtree#p/u/3/0H4n9KtghDA
Enjoy, in celebration of my new teaching gig :)
Lets do this...
Well, go figure...
The HR department for the school district called this afternoon and they want me to come to an orientation to start working on Friday.
Looks like the job as the CCSD oboe parapro is going to work out after all, which is exciting but it also means that there is a lot to do in only a few short days:
Update oboe student\studio policies
Finish a few more student reeds
Track down a few extra method books
Get some bookkeeping\office supplies
Get the car checked out (This means lots of driving!!!)
It is great to start this job, it is going to be a great opportunity and a great way to meet some members of the music community here!
I've also sent out some educational packages to the schools in St. George- including the magnet school, it would be great to get involved with some higher level, serious students. While I love teaching the little ones, I really need experience with some upper level players.
Anyway, it is very exciting to think that this time next week I will be teaching the young oboists of Vegas! Hopefully this is the first of some great opportunities for me here!
The HR department for the school district called this afternoon and they want me to come to an orientation to start working on Friday.
Looks like the job as the CCSD oboe parapro is going to work out after all, which is exciting but it also means that there is a lot to do in only a few short days:
Update oboe student\studio policies
Finish a few more student reeds
Track down a few extra method books
Get some bookkeeping\office supplies
Get the car checked out (This means lots of driving!!!)
It is great to start this job, it is going to be a great opportunity and a great way to meet some members of the music community here!
I've also sent out some educational packages to the schools in St. George- including the magnet school, it would be great to get involved with some higher level, serious students. While I love teaching the little ones, I really need experience with some upper level players.
Anyway, it is very exciting to think that this time next week I will be teaching the young oboists of Vegas! Hopefully this is the first of some great opportunities for me here!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Teacher Tuesday
So I didn't really explain WHY I ended up in the desert in the first place. The reason has nothing to do with the oboe- that is probably why I didn't bring it up.
I am a newlywed and my husband, Tyler is a middle school band director out here at Hughes Middle School. This is his first job, so like me he is really learning a lot about being on your own for the first time but also being really excited because you are finally making a living doing what you love to do- it just so happens that for him... it is teaching music rather than playing.
It is great to have a music teacher husband- I get the inside scoop on great music programs in the area and have made a few connections through him as far as building my teaching studio. The most important connection has been to the school district, thusly presenting the idea for a district oboe parapro.
The best part is just having someone to share my passion for music with- he is so supportive and understanding of my goals and dreams. So there you go- a tiny explanation about my musical personal life without going into mushy details.
I am a newlywed and my husband, Tyler is a middle school band director out here at Hughes Middle School. This is his first job, so like me he is really learning a lot about being on your own for the first time but also being really excited because you are finally making a living doing what you love to do- it just so happens that for him... it is teaching music rather than playing.
It is great to have a music teacher husband- I get the inside scoop on great music programs in the area and have made a few connections through him as far as building my teaching studio. The most important connection has been to the school district, thusly presenting the idea for a district oboe parapro.
The best part is just having someone to share my passion for music with- he is so supportive and understanding of my goals and dreams. So there you go- a tiny explanation about my musical personal life without going into mushy details.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Deserted Oboe
I have been living in the desert for sixty nine days- 6-9... its just over two months and I would love to tell you that it feels like time is flying by but two months has felt like two years.
I knew that living here would be hard, especially right after living in San Francisco- basically OZ for anything to do with the arts. Well... to do with anything- I really loved living there... it is an amazing city.
I had somehow convinced myself though that it would be a good challenge and that it would even in some way be fun to see what I could do in a new place. Rather than being any type of fun challenge- it has just been difficult.
We live outside the city, so I'm isolated from any type of musical community and there is only one professional orchestra in Las Vegas- it also isn't a full time gig. Because there are few oboe gigs, the people that have them are pretty protective of them which I can appreciate. I wouldn't want someone hawking my job, but on the other hand thats really not what I'm trying to do- I'm just looking for some opportunities, subbing, networking really. On the top of my "want" list right now is just to meet some other professional, dedicated, classical musicians to collaborate with.
My great friend, Ben Opie, acting principal oboe of his hometown orchestra in Adelaide, AU advised me a few days ago to "have hella goals" for this year, and I think he is really right. I think it is time for me to say- This is what I want to do- and do it. It includes taking my first (yikes) pro audition, perhaps starting a reedmaking business, and auditioning for New World. All challenges, but all worth it.
I had really been holding out for a job with the school district as their oboe paraprofessional- basically a traveling oboe instructor for all 100+ middle and high schools in the area. They approved my application, but are somehow hung up in making the formal job offer- it is really hard being in limbo there. This week I've finally hit my limit and am going to forget about it and pursue other things.
There is a community about half an hour away in St. George, UT that has a lively artistic outlet that I'd love to break into. It is much closer than Vegas (which is about 80 minutes away) and it has several smaller orchestras, as well as an arts magnet school. I think I'm going to have to get creative here, it probably won't mean that I get to play in an orchestra in these parts but it does mean that I can learn about programming, marketing myself, planning, and maybe learning some wedding and event rep.
In other news, my innoledy oboe gouger is apparently ready- I've been waiting since May so that is great news for me and my oboe reeeds. If anyone has any set-up tips for care and keeping of a brand new machine- I'd love to hear!
This past week I experimented with a new reed set-up using the Mark Chudnow CA staple (47mm) with KGE cane (10-10.5) and my Jeanee-X shaper tip, the result: great response, easy blowing, dark sound, the stability that I love and the three reeds that I finished over a couple of days were very consistent. I am sold!
Well, time for a break- more to come!
I knew that living here would be hard, especially right after living in San Francisco- basically OZ for anything to do with the arts. Well... to do with anything- I really loved living there... it is an amazing city.
I had somehow convinced myself though that it would be a good challenge and that it would even in some way be fun to see what I could do in a new place. Rather than being any type of fun challenge- it has just been difficult.
We live outside the city, so I'm isolated from any type of musical community and there is only one professional orchestra in Las Vegas- it also isn't a full time gig. Because there are few oboe gigs, the people that have them are pretty protective of them which I can appreciate. I wouldn't want someone hawking my job, but on the other hand thats really not what I'm trying to do- I'm just looking for some opportunities, subbing, networking really. On the top of my "want" list right now is just to meet some other professional, dedicated, classical musicians to collaborate with.
My great friend, Ben Opie, acting principal oboe of his hometown orchestra in Adelaide, AU advised me a few days ago to "have hella goals" for this year, and I think he is really right. I think it is time for me to say- This is what I want to do- and do it. It includes taking my first (yikes) pro audition, perhaps starting a reedmaking business, and auditioning for New World. All challenges, but all worth it.
I had really been holding out for a job with the school district as their oboe paraprofessional- basically a traveling oboe instructor for all 100+ middle and high schools in the area. They approved my application, but are somehow hung up in making the formal job offer- it is really hard being in limbo there. This week I've finally hit my limit and am going to forget about it and pursue other things.
There is a community about half an hour away in St. George, UT that has a lively artistic outlet that I'd love to break into. It is much closer than Vegas (which is about 80 minutes away) and it has several smaller orchestras, as well as an arts magnet school. I think I'm going to have to get creative here, it probably won't mean that I get to play in an orchestra in these parts but it does mean that I can learn about programming, marketing myself, planning, and maybe learning some wedding and event rep.
In other news, my innoledy oboe gouger is apparently ready- I've been waiting since May so that is great news for me and my oboe reeeds. If anyone has any set-up tips for care and keeping of a brand new machine- I'd love to hear!
This past week I experimented with a new reed set-up using the Mark Chudnow CA staple (47mm) with KGE cane (10-10.5) and my Jeanee-X shaper tip, the result: great response, easy blowing, dark sound, the stability that I love and the three reeds that I finished over a couple of days were very consistent. I am sold!
Well, time for a break- more to come!
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