I've been playing oboe for about 2 years..switched from flute..and i am having problems with my notes sounding too pinchy. My teacher says I have to open my throat, but i dont really know how. He said the open throat feeling is kinda of like yawning, but i still can't get it..can anyone help me with that? To at with the pinchy sound, i don't bite that much..maybe i do a little but i really focus on not biting and its still pinchy..especailly when i get to the higher notes.
And I also have a problem with sounding sharp, could be from biting but like i said i tryed not to bite and it still was sharp..i tryed pulling my mouth out of the reed and adjusting my mouth but its still sharp. I know you can also tune with sliding the reed out, but my teacher wants me to stick with having it in all the way, so that isnt an option for me =(


well if you guys can give me some advice that would be sooo helpfull =)

<Added>

To at with the pinchy sound...
Sorry i ment: To add with the pinchy sound

Well, it has been a long time since you posted your pinched sound dilemma. How's it going? You are now at the end of your 3rd or 2nd year of playing?

The first thing I things I thought about were:

1. Is the teacher you are referring to an oboist or your band teacher? Because, as an oboist, I would never tell a student that the whole reed gets put into your mouth. All you need inside is enough of the tip of the reed to feel with the tip of your tongue.

2. The quality of your reeds. Are they machine-made or hand-made? Big difference there. If you buy your reeds at a music store NEVER buy the reeds that have wire on them. We're not bassoons and its not cool. If there is another option at the store look at those first. Only buy the ones with wire on them if a. they actually look better than the non-wired reeds and b. if there is no other choice.

3. The quality of your oboe. Do you have a future lamp or an oboe with some weight, depth of tone and enough keys for what is required of you? If you don't know here's a hint: if your oboe does not have the low Bb key, and if the left hand Eb/B nat. keys are fused together you have a lamp. You can't win the Indy 500 with a moped.

3. I am wondering if you have an oboist for a teacher because a non-oboist might not consider an opening of the throat. Even though this is important to developing a rich tone, and eventually vibrato, I would question your embouchure. Again, wondering if you have an oboist for a teacher - be sure your embouchure is not in front of your teeth: make sure your lips "curl" over your teeth in a draw-string fashion. And NO SMILE-LIKE EMBOUCHURE! I don't care what anyone says: its the fastest way to tire your mouth and begin biting the reed.

4. I am also wondering about the angle of your head when you play. No looking down at your fingers, keep your chin level with a line of sight where you can look straight "out into the audience." The angle you are holding the oboe will impact the tone quality of your reed.

So...

Step 1. Get good reeds. Too hard and they will tire you out, too soft/thin and you'll sound like a kazoo.
Step 2. Get an oboist for private lessons.
Step 3. Experiment within the confines of good oboe embouchures (because everyone's lips/mouth is different) for yourself.
Step 4. If your oboe has no low Bb key - get a new oboe.

All the best!

3. The quality of your oboe. Do you have a future lamp or an oboe with some weight, depth of tone and enough keys for what is required of you? If you don't know here's a hint: if your oboe does not have the low Bb key, and if the left hand Eb/B nat. keys are fused together you have a lamp. You can't win the Indy 500 with a moped.

Uhm, Ask far as I know, most beginner models are "lamps" e.g. Yamaha YOB 241. Explain what a "lamp" is to me.

lamp: oh, just a joke in poor taste.

I suspect your embouchure may still be part of the problem, though. It can be very difficult to know when you're biting when you're not used to having an open embouchure. Try opening your mouth wide, like you're yawning, and then pulling your lips forward into a small round shape WITHOUT moving your teeth. Focus on keeping your teeth as far away from the reed as possible.

You might also try opening up the inside of your mouth (make sure your tongue isn't too close to the roof of your mouth.) Also make sure you aren't collapsing your ribs when you play. You'll get better air support that way. I would suggest keeping your throat in a relaxed, natural position. I have heard that comment about "opening your throat" from band directors (who were mostly brass players), but I don't believe I've ever heard it from an oboe teacher. Forcing your throat open will probably make it much more difficult to produce vibrato.

Good luck with your playing!

Like Jenerator said, no smiley embouchure. Think "o" for ur embocuhure(i can't spell to save my life). Keep it firm but relaxed.
Keep your head up and the oboe at the right angle. See which angles sound best for you (Mine is personally between my knees, but I know others who do better with it farther out.)