Is it just me and my oboe, or does every other oboe player have technical problem, I must say I do love playing but it just gets to much sometimes!!!!!!!!

Technical problems?

Lol yeah.... what do you mean by technical problems?
Explain?
It`s like me comging in here n` asking "Is it just me or did my reed not make the right sound?"

I know 3 problems:

1.Oboe reed.
2.Oboe instrument.
3.Oboe player.

ok well, I can`t play low or high F,E, or D and my G flutters, my music teacher and I have tried to fix it and the G is fine now but the lower notes just won`t play, when I try to play them the oboe sort of makes a high squek sound! any ideas as to why?

Well then there already have been 3 suggestions. I am perfectly capable of getting those notes so now analyze your situation like previously mentioned.

1.Oboe reed.
How old is it? Is it cracked anywhere? Is it store-bought (and what brand) or made personally?

2.Oboe instrument.
What brand/make? What model? New or used? School owned, personally owned or rented from a music store?

3.Oboe player.
How long have you been playing? Have you tried a different reed (different brand and/or different materials)? Have you ever tried getting those notes on a different oboe (brand/make/model)? Have you ever been capable of reaching those notes? When`s the last time your oboe went in for a check up?


It sounds like you haven`t been playing a lifetime and aren`t prodigy level or anything - but still have played quite a while. I`m thinking more along the line that your oboe has problems because of it`s age; possibly school instrument? You should take it into a music store to get it a check-up... there most likely may be a leak somewhere in the pads. For now; try pressing the keys down a bit harder to seal up any possible leaks.

It could also be the reed itself. Can you crow the reed? Is the opening space between the two pieces of reed at a normal gap? I find that if the gap is much too small - I will squeek n` squal on more lower n` higher notes. If you store-buy your reeds.. keep in mind - the older they sit idle, the more they become a piece of unplayable crap. If you make your own reeds... how long have you been making them? Perhaps if you`ve just begun; they`re practice reeds. It takes about 7 reeds on average until you get a decent only `okay` reed.

And you. I really really really really really really can`t stress enough that you can`t put too much pressure on an oboe reed!. Have you ever had your embochure checked by a professional oboist? Loosen up a lot. Putting too much pressure will only make you squeek on lower n` higher notes specifically.

Its almost never the instruments or the players fault for oboe difficulties. Its the REED no matter how hard you try your never gonna have the perfect reed. So if anyone wants to know how to fix reeds so they sound at leasrt ok e-mail me @ mental159@hotmail.com ive been making reeds for 4 yrs now and I can give you some advice on how to make them at least half way decent!

My advice is-
Well if you have an old reed get a new one. Heh, anyway, if that`s not the case then try opening up your throat more.

I`ll agree, oboe reeds can be very troublesome, but I`ve had similar problems myself (1st year oboe performance/music ed major at UWSP). Even though reeds are troublesome, every problem with them is made worse if the player isn`t good, granted that goes both ways too. I`d say have a COMPETENT repairperson check and adjust the oboe, my old oboe has a similar problem and it`s not a reed or player problem, thankfully I have my new rigoutat now and could care less. Just my two cents worth.

i had the same problem with my oboe. have your teacher check for cracks. that`s what happened to my instrument. i couldn`t play a low E, so my teacher knew something was wrong. also, like the others said, check the reed for cracks and make sure you`re using a good embechure (spelling?) and posture.

Thanks for all your advice, we actually found out it was a leek or someting in my G key, so we sent it off for repairs. But its great now that I have got my oboe back, and I am even thinking of going for a music scholarship at my school! But first I have to get through my 4th grade exam :-S. Thanks again everyone for all your advice
From Jess

My new reeds always sound REALLY flat. Is that pretty normal?

well if it frustrates you so much some times...why not take a break, go do sumthin else...then go try it again.

whats wrong? my high bflat come out very soft and I struggle a lot to play it. any tips??

First off, Anna`s response was perfect, all of those problems will affect your playing... the oboe is VERY complex, something you have to realize when you choose it that something tiny that is not right with the oboe/oboe player will make you sound bad. In response to other comments it is NOT fair to say that it is almost always not the instrument, while store bought oboe reeds are terrible and unrealible, the best reed in the world is NOT going to play in a school owned instrument. Since your last message said you were going to have to pass you 4th grade exam, i am guessing that you are usuing a school owned instrument. In most cases, school owned instrumets=trouble.. In fact most student model instruments are not going to be very stable, the only student model instruments i tell my Students to get are Fox or Yamaha`s, because while they are plastic they are still hand made, which means it will still play beautifully. If you have a good instrument THEN you know it is a reed problem and or you. I think it is best to find a good oboe teacher right away when you start to help adjust/make your reeds for you.. if you can`t do that then order them from Amy Collins at www.oboe.net, she makes great reeds and best of all CONSISTENT, something you can`t find in a store bought reed, and the best part is they are cheaper than most of the store bought ones!!! So yes, like Anna Said Reed, oboe and player... if you do the things i said about the reed and the oboe and you still have these problems you are MOST likely the problem ( the only way this can be fixed is by a great player giving you advice... hope this helps