You have noticed by now... I have changed my blog name. I have been Fairy Oboemother for over 4 years, since moving from San Francisco to Las Vegas upon my masters degree completion and marriage. I chose the name "Fairy Oboemother" solely based on the concept of the "Fairy Godmother". We all know the story of Cinderella... her fairy godmother was a benevolent figure who helped her and acted in a motherly way toward her when no one else would.
I never assumed myself to be this figure for anyone else, but rather, I have had multiple oboe teachers in my life who have been that person for me. "Fairy Oboemother" was a title that I aspired toward. I think it only fair that I try to give back and share the knowledge and skills that have been bestowed upon me by others... I think my teachers would want that.
I was recently asked to change my blog name. The person (and their lawyer) that asked me to do this cite a trademark on the name "The Oboe Fairy". While I can give you countless bullet points as to why these two names are not interchangeable, that rather, they only share a single word... I refuse to do so. I would like to state the following, and this is the only time that I will do so.
I am not in any way affiliated with Hannah Selznick. I was asked to either change my blog name or name a statement saying that I am not in any way, shape, or form connected to this person. So I have done both.
My name is Caitlin Kramer, I am a freelance oboist in Las Vegas, NV. I do not have a brand, or a business. My brand is ME. As I would think that most of you realize, this blog is not selling anything. I consider it to be a database of information designed to help people. If you you have further questions about my credentials or want to purchase the only thing I sell; reeds and lessons... then please visit my personal website.
This is the last time that I will discuss this, and my future posts promise to return their their regularly scheduled programming :)
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Back to Oboe (School)
It is time for back to school and all of the nostalgia that comes along with it. Different stages of education always meant different things. When we were younger, my Mom would pack us all up and attempt to do everyone's shopping at once. Usually clothing on one trip and supplies on another outing. Later, as we got older and into middle and high school we would split up boys and girls shopping trips.
It was always so fun to get excited about fresh pens, notebooks, and always something a little bit fun and funky like whether it was a pink jansport backpack or a cute new hairstyle.
I was ALWAYS excited to see friends that I'd missed for the past several months, and see how people had changed- because let's face it, kids are always changing.
In my life, this typically also always meant coming back to the oboe after some type of break whether it was a break in lessons, or as I got older, a break in the intensity of practice sessions and routine.
This back to school season for me means a lot of shifts, changes, and flexibility. Since my baby boy was born, I obviously have not been playing as much as usual. The demands of caring for a newborn don't leave much room for practicing oboe, and often when I find that he is down for a nap and I have time to practice I am either too tired or can't find a muffled enough area to honk away where I won't affect his sleep. Fun new challenges.
I also had a c-section. I realize that some people actually plan to have these... I didn't. I did not expect that I would have to recover not only from the stress of laboring for 12+ hours, but also from MAJOR surgery involving all of the muscles that I use to play. To give you an idea, my ab muscles feel so weak that I feel as though I have no control over them... I am trying to do some simple exercises and stretches now that my six week recovery window has passed- but I can tell that this is just going to take some time.
In the meantime, I have scraped plenty of easier reeds. Interestingly enough, I have found that my English horn playing hardly feels different- it is oboe that feels funky when I try to use my regular amount of air support.
So, advice for not only all of you back to schoolers, but to myself as well! :
After taking any type of break from playing, and re-immersing yourself into oboe land, you should consider the following...
It was always so fun to get excited about fresh pens, notebooks, and always something a little bit fun and funky like whether it was a pink jansport backpack or a cute new hairstyle.
I was ALWAYS excited to see friends that I'd missed for the past several months, and see how people had changed- because let's face it, kids are always changing.
In my life, this typically also always meant coming back to the oboe after some type of break whether it was a break in lessons, or as I got older, a break in the intensity of practice sessions and routine.
This back to school season for me means a lot of shifts, changes, and flexibility. Since my baby boy was born, I obviously have not been playing as much as usual. The demands of caring for a newborn don't leave much room for practicing oboe, and often when I find that he is down for a nap and I have time to practice I am either too tired or can't find a muffled enough area to honk away where I won't affect his sleep. Fun new challenges.
I also had a c-section. I realize that some people actually plan to have these... I didn't. I did not expect that I would have to recover not only from the stress of laboring for 12+ hours, but also from MAJOR surgery involving all of the muscles that I use to play. To give you an idea, my ab muscles feel so weak that I feel as though I have no control over them... I am trying to do some simple exercises and stretches now that my six week recovery window has passed- but I can tell that this is just going to take some time.
In the meantime, I have scraped plenty of easier reeds. Interestingly enough, I have found that my English horn playing hardly feels different- it is oboe that feels funky when I try to use my regular amount of air support.
So, advice for not only all of you back to schoolers, but to myself as well! :
After taking any type of break from playing, and re-immersing yourself into oboe land, you should consider the following...
- Take it easy. Just like an athlete, your muscles have been conditioned to perform a certain way. If you hop back into a practice regimen with the same intensity that you were used to before a break, you can injure yourself. Try some simple stretches before you play, shoulder rolls, reaching your arms above your head, and gently rotating your wrists are all good things to do.
- Break up your playing into small, super-manageable chunks. This is something that I have always done anyway. It helps me to maintain better focus, and I find that for me it puts less stress on my right hand and arm muscles to give myself frequent breaks. If you have an hour's worth of work to do, try splitting it in half or even into thirds!
- Don't try to be a reed hero. The great thing about our reeds is that they are open to customization. If you need a softer reed to help you re-transition back to playing, it is not a mark on you. Don't be afraid to ask your teacher to lighten your reed, and pros... nobody has to even know if you don't want them to :)
- Use some support. I have a plethora of oboe support devices in my music room. I sometimes pull out a neck strap for oboe and a handy dandy peg for English horn. No biggie. I don't like to perform with them, but for a practice sesh or teaching, they are awesome.
- Check out your embouchure. It is easy for lips to get a little lackadaisical after a break from the oboe. Use an easily accessible mirror and just check out your embouchure situation with the reed alone. Remember, these are a very specific set of muscles and they may need some TLC.
- Find your joy. It is easy to become frustrated with playing if it feels uncomfortable or more difficult than before a break. Don't sweat it. Think about what made you pick up your oboe in the first place. Pretty soon, you will be back in great playing shape!!!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Remembering Bill
Thinking of Bill today. I knew Bill Bennett for several years while living and working toward my master's degree in oboe performance in San Francisco. There are several things that stick out in my mind about him; the main one being that though he must have faced great amounts of stress and adversity in his day to day professional life, he was never ill natured. Bill was always in a likeable way. I think that this simple trait is something that sometimes people take for granted in the music profession. How much one's attitude can affect circumstances. If there is one thing I take away from having known Bill, I think this would have to be it.
He was always striving forward, trying to be creative and think of new ways to interpret music. Even if it was a piece he had known for years and interpreted a number of times already in performance. I remember him bringing to studio class once a big pile of opera arias, all of the most famous ones. When he asked us each to choose a different one and interpret it as if we were a singer, we all thought he was crazy. As the next week arrived and we played his arrangements, I think it taught us all something about musicality, interpretation and the capability of the oboe as a supremely vocal instrument.
I can't imagine how he will be missed by the orchestra, his oboe section, and his family. I am sure the orchestra will eventually find his successor, though I don't envy the person who will have to fill Bill's shoes simply because it will be an impossible feat.
You can read the San Francisco Symphony's statement if you so choose.
I actually just went online to Forrests and purchased this. I have never owned one, but will now proudly have it in my oboe studio to remind me of Bill and his legacy, and so that I can tell my students about him when they look at it :)
He was always striving forward, trying to be creative and think of new ways to interpret music. Even if it was a piece he had known for years and interpreted a number of times already in performance. I remember him bringing to studio class once a big pile of opera arias, all of the most famous ones. When he asked us each to choose a different one and interpret it as if we were a singer, we all thought he was crazy. As the next week arrived and we played his arrangements, I think it taught us all something about musicality, interpretation and the capability of the oboe as a supremely vocal instrument.
I can't imagine how he will be missed by the orchestra, his oboe section, and his family. I am sure the orchestra will eventually find his successor, though I don't envy the person who will have to fill Bill's shoes simply because it will be an impossible feat.
You can read the San Francisco Symphony's statement if you so choose.
I actually just went online to Forrests and purchased this. I have never owned one, but will now proudly have it in my oboe studio to remind me of Bill and his legacy, and so that I can tell my students about him when they look at it :)
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
I AM BACK!
After not blogging for what has seemed like an eternity, here I am... I am alive, and back to writing about oboe. I have to admit that it is due to you, the reader that I am here writing again. I have received quite a few comments this week asking for help, tips, and tricks from past posts, so here I am!
One of the hot topics: Oboe cracking. Yea, there is such a horrible thing as "cracking season" and we are right in the middle of it. Winter brings colder temps and DRY air, the biggest enemies of oboists worldwide. I have owned a total of 4 oboes in my 17+ years of playing the oboe. Three lorees, and my current oboe, a Kingwood Yamaha 841 oboe. All of my loree oboes cracked, a couple of them quite badly, and multiple times.
My current oboe has a plastic liner in the topjoint and I have had it for just over a year, no cracks yet. It is still a little early to do an oboe happy dance about it, but I DO live in Las Vegas where I have performed outside in 100+ degrees with it. So, I think it is at least a little safe to say: this oboe is a TANK!
So that all being said, here are some tips on oboe maintenance specifically geared toward cracking from the QUEEN oboe-cracker:
1. Swab, swab, SWAB! Not just at the end of a playing session but any time you have a break in playing. Cotton swabs are the best because unlike silk ones, they really absorb moisture and get it all out of the instrument.
2. Warm your oboe up with your hands before playing. If it is even a little bit cooler than body temperature, it is going to be a shock to the oboe when you start blowing hot air into it, causing the wood to expand very quickly.
3. Wood oboes need to have their bore oiled with sweet almond oil between 2-4 times per year. I am a professional oboist and I live in Las Vegas, so in this dry climate I actually got into the habit of oiling once a month. An oboe professional or the double reed dealer that your purchased the oboe from will be able to do this for you.
4. Never let the oboe go through drastic changes in temperature. I carry my instruments with me all types of places as opposed to leaving them in a hot car. I would rather drag my oboe with me through whole foods than have it crack and be ruined later!!!!! Also watch out not to keep it close to air vents in the house that are cranking hot or cold air.
5. If your oboe cracks, don't freak (this is the toughest part!) Put it away immediately. DO NOT PLAY IT. Consider this an oboe emergency, and your first priority is getting it into the shop whether that is down the street or across the country. I know, believe me, this is easier said than done... but it has to be. No matter how many rehearsals, concerts, etc. you have lined up, you need to put your horn down to save it from further damage!
Since it has been forever since I last blogged, I will give you some updates on ME without taking up too much time and boring you.
1. I am pregnant! Our baby boy Noah is due July 2. This is our first baby, and we are super excited. He kicks me a lot, and has already been to many concerts (gigs that I have played :)
2. I got a new oboe in January 2012. It is a Yamaha 841 Kingwood oboe with the lined topjoint. It is hands down my favorite oboe that I have every owned. I love to play it, and I think it sounds (and looks) beautiful.
3. I am teaching 20 oboe students right now in ages ranging from 11-adult and skill from beginning through college. I love all of you guys, and am so happy to be the one to guide you through your "oboe journey", you make me proud every week!
4. I am playing A TON! Ever since the opening of The Smith Center, I have been a busy lady playing everything from Mary Poppins, to Nutcracker, to Opera, to backing superstars! I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
5. I never planned this one: I sell a TON of oboe and English horn reeds every week. I even have customers in California and Michigan! Most of my customers are locals here in Las Vegas and my students, but it is great to be able to use this most unusual and highly specific set of skills to help people and supplement my income!
That's pretty much it for now, Hi to everyone out there, and I will be posting again soon! :) Caitlin
My current oboe has a plastic liner in the topjoint and I have had it for just over a year, no cracks yet. It is still a little early to do an oboe happy dance about it, but I DO live in Las Vegas where I have performed outside in 100+ degrees with it. So, I think it is at least a little safe to say: this oboe is a TANK!
So that all being said, here are some tips on oboe maintenance specifically geared toward cracking from the QUEEN oboe-cracker:
1. Swab, swab, SWAB! Not just at the end of a playing session but any time you have a break in playing. Cotton swabs are the best because unlike silk ones, they really absorb moisture and get it all out of the instrument.
2. Warm your oboe up with your hands before playing. If it is even a little bit cooler than body temperature, it is going to be a shock to the oboe when you start blowing hot air into it, causing the wood to expand very quickly.
3. Wood oboes need to have their bore oiled with sweet almond oil between 2-4 times per year. I am a professional oboist and I live in Las Vegas, so in this dry climate I actually got into the habit of oiling once a month. An oboe professional or the double reed dealer that your purchased the oboe from will be able to do this for you.
4. Never let the oboe go through drastic changes in temperature. I carry my instruments with me all types of places as opposed to leaving them in a hot car. I would rather drag my oboe with me through whole foods than have it crack and be ruined later!!!!! Also watch out not to keep it close to air vents in the house that are cranking hot or cold air.
5. If your oboe cracks, don't freak (this is the toughest part!) Put it away immediately. DO NOT PLAY IT. Consider this an oboe emergency, and your first priority is getting it into the shop whether that is down the street or across the country. I know, believe me, this is easier said than done... but it has to be. No matter how many rehearsals, concerts, etc. you have lined up, you need to put your horn down to save it from further damage!
Since it has been forever since I last blogged, I will give you some updates on ME without taking up too much time and boring you.
1. I am pregnant! Our baby boy Noah is due July 2. This is our first baby, and we are super excited. He kicks me a lot, and has already been to many concerts (gigs that I have played :)
2. I got a new oboe in January 2012. It is a Yamaha 841 Kingwood oboe with the lined topjoint. It is hands down my favorite oboe that I have every owned. I love to play it, and I think it sounds (and looks) beautiful.
3. I am teaching 20 oboe students right now in ages ranging from 11-adult and skill from beginning through college. I love all of you guys, and am so happy to be the one to guide you through your "oboe journey", you make me proud every week!
4. I am playing A TON! Ever since the opening of The Smith Center, I have been a busy lady playing everything from Mary Poppins, to Nutcracker, to Opera, to backing superstars! I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
5. I never planned this one: I sell a TON of oboe and English horn reeds every week. I even have customers in California and Michigan! Most of my customers are locals here in Las Vegas and my students, but it is great to be able to use this most unusual and highly specific set of skills to help people and supplement my income!
That's pretty much it for now, Hi to everyone out there, and I will be posting again soon! :) Caitlin
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