Hello and welcome!
In today's blog post, we'll be exploring "Three Tips for More Beautiful High Notes" on the oboe.
High notes can be a challenge for many oboe players, often due to reed issues. However, with the right techniques, you can achieve beautiful high notes without relying solely on the perfect reed.
I'm Erin Brophey, the principal oboe player of the Saskatoon Symphony and a sessional lecturer at the University of Saskatchewan. My journey with the oboe began in a remote area of Northern Ontario, surrounded by nature's beauty. This idyllic setting is where I fell in love with the oboe during my public music education.
Growing up, I was the only oboist around for miles, without access to good information, a functioning instrument, or properly working reeds. Despite these challenges, I persevered, learning from recordings and my own experimentation. Now, 25 years later, I am a professional musician dedicated to sharing my knowledge to help others avoid the struggles I faced.
As part of my mission, I created the Oboe Path, a six-month online programme offering personalized plans, group master classes, and one-on-one feedback. This programme helps oboists play with joy and ease, providing a supportive community and a step-by-step process tailored to each student's goals.
Let's dive into three essential tips for playing beautiful high notes on the oboe:
1. Correct Fingerings
Ensure you are using the correct fingerings for high notes. For instance:
For a high G natural, use only the back octave key.
For high A, B natural, B flat, and C natural, use the side octave key.
Avoid using the side octave key for G natural and high A flat.
2. Air Speed
High notes require fast-moving air rather than a large volume. Focus on increasing your air speed using your diaphragm to push the air out quickly. Demonstration on the video below!
3. Reed Adjustment
Reeds change due to temperature, barometric pressure, altitude, and age. A flexible embouchure is crucial for adjusting the pitch of high notes. Small adjustments in your embouchure can improve intonation and sound quality.
I hope you found these tips helpful. Best of luck on your oboe journey—let's all strive to play with joy and ease.
Take care, and I’ll see you next time!
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