Keeping Time?

Christmas break is now behind me and my students. They sounded great this week, which is pure proof that a little time off of the oboe never hurt anyone ;)

Now the fun begins with new music galore for all with new band, orchestra, honor band, and solo and ensemble music flying around all over the place.

Two of my high school students this week brought me new music that they had received with widened eyes and wanted to know what was up with 7/8 4/4 and 3/4 2/4 with some 4/4 thrown in there every now and then.

My best tip for playing pieces with rapid meter alternations and changes is: Pick Your Subdivision. The easiest way to warm your brain up for these types of things is to actually practice your conducting skills (or lack of :) I obviously have no skills in this department).

Here is a little chart to help out:

1. Practice your 4/4 conducting pattern

next "ta" quarter notes as you conduct (one "ta" for every beat in the pattern)

2. Practice 3/4 conducting pattern now

now "ta" quarter notes as you conduct in 3/4

3. The fun part! You are going to alternate measures of 4/4 and 3/4 while "ta"ing quarter notes

You will find that the result is this; the quarter note stays the same!

If you keep your subdivision consistent, moving through meter changes is no big deal at all! :)

More Solo and Ensemble Options

One of my kids is going to be performing the first movement of this concerto for solo and ensemble, she is really excited about it! So here you go, C! A nice, bright and cheery recording for you to listen to, of course there are many recordings to choose from!

Albinoni is a great choice as he was a pretty big fan of the oboe. He composed many, many works over his lifetime and some of the most noted are his oboe concertos (concertos for two oboes are super fun!).

He was actually the first Italian composer to really use the oboe as a solo instrument in his concerti writing.

to the Oboemobile!

I got a new car on Monday. Yea, I probably should have mentioned that I guess. I try to stick to oboe stuff and not get too "personal"on here, but the more that I think about it- the car thing has pretty much everything to do with the oboe.

See, I am one of those "freeway philharmonic" types that (like most musicians in this economy!) have to do a number of different commutes to get to the places that I "work". The main one being the approx. 80 miles that I drive (one way) to get to Las Vegas where I teach and play.

My car is as essential as my oboe. When it finally broke all the way down shortly before Christmas (after many previous attempts), I realized just how CRUCIAL my car is to my life.

My new ride is a 2011 Kia Soul, and so far- so good. My husband said that it isn't totally mine though until I brand it with some type of sticker, I am thinking something oboe related.

To all of my fellow musical freeway warriors out there, safe travels and see you on the road! :)

Everyday lifesaver...

I use so many different "gadgets" on a daily basis that I definitely have begun to take them for granted. One thing I thought I'd share which is a great little tool is this multi-tool.

I don't usually shop at Forrests, I used to when I was younger and didn't know of many other options, however, I have found that their prices are generally a little higher among some other issues. However, they have been in business a long time and do have a wide selection of necessary items.

If you use the search engine at the top of their site and type in "multi tool" this little doodad should pop up!

At any rate, the multi tool is awesome and way cheaper than the two separate components; screwdriver and spring hook.

I of course got a pink one.

A warm up...

This is my favorite oboe warm up.

It is a great thing to play right away, allowing you to focus on tone, and air support. All the credit goes to my undergraduate oboe teacher for showing me this great exercise.

Its the little things...

Day to day, I really find delight in the little things that liven up my routine. I know it might seem a little childish that I have a Hello Kitty reed case, or pink variegated oboe thread, but they really make me happy.

THIS is one of those little things that just might brighten up your routine a little bit!

Solo and Ensemble Time!

Yes, I know. The holidays have only just ended, and already it is back to the grind both ME and my oboe students. In only about 5 weeks it will be time for High School Solo and Ensemble here in the Las Vegas area, so it is time to get ready!

This is a great piece of music. I love the Handel authentic sonatas for oboe, they seem so simple on the surface but are truly complex, dynamic little capsules of wonderful music that lend themselves to a creatively minded performer.

This is one of my first picks for my high school oboists as far as solos are concerned. I think that the first and second movements are a good choice to display both lyrical and technical abilities of teenage oboists and it is a great little baroque starter piece.

The music can be found HERE... enjoy and good luck to all as you prepare for these types of performances!