2006 All State Band - Oboe

Music Samples

• p. 40
• p. 53

Hints from Dr. Kevin Schilling

I think the most important point I can make is this: don't try to do anything you can't do that results in a performance that does not sound good. For instance you must choose tempos you can play accurately, and you must breathe often enough, not just to survive, but to play with good control as well!

Oboe p. 40

First of all, there is a typo in m.20; the last F in the measure should be an F#. It should be marked that way rather than having the natural carry through the measure.

Although in the Ferling book from which this piece was taken, the tempo is actually marked with quarter notes at 116, a tempo of about 100 seems best for the piece; the musical shapes can't be heard faster than that. However, you should never go faster than you can. Always practice slow enough to play accurately.

Don't make the sixteenth notes too short or they will sound too pecky; a good solid tongue will suffice.

The only places I breathed are at the rests in m. 8 and m. 16. If you need more breaths, here are some suggestions: after the low d# in m. 4; after the eighth-note in m. 7 or 8; after the first note in m. 11 or 13; after the eighth-note in m. 16; after the first note in m. 22; and after an eighth-note in m. 23. Use the ones you need, but try to shape (take a bit of time) the tempo around the breathing places so the flow of the music continues rather than stopping suddenly. Always use the left D# key when D# is next to a C#. NEVER SLIDE with the right pinkie, except in measure 16 from the low D# to B. "Grease" your pinkie by rubbing it on your nose or forehead and it will slide around much easier. (Really; this is a trick used by professionals.) To me, measures 19 & 20 will be simpler if you are aware of the chromatic motion in the lower notes. Also in 19 & 20 be aware of the motion of the right index finger: it stays down at the beginning and end of this passage, but in the middle, it alternates up and down from note to note. I find that often technique is easier if we just stop to figure out why it is difficult, how do the fingers need to move.

The fingering for the high E is: left hand: Thumb octave key, 1/2 hole, 2, 3; Right hand, 5, 6; and then play the G# and Eb keys either with the left pinkie or the right index finger and pinkie.

Oboe p. 53

Try to be very sensitive with this etude; be aware of the way you begin and end every note and play with a bit of freedom with the tempo rather than mechanically. Playing with the metronome will not result in a musical rendition of this piece. (Although practicing with the metronome is always a good idea!)

Make the trills expressive just like any other music; make the trills move by starting slowly and speeding up as you build intensity.

As on page 40, you will may need more breaths than I took. Again, shape the music around the breaths , even more in this piece, so they are part of the music rather than interruptions of it.

Always use the left Eb key when next to Db.

Both of the oboe etudes this year are in weird keys you aren't used to. Therefore, it is more important than ever to listen, use a tuner, and learn how to play every note, not just by fingering it, but by using the mouth, the amount of reed in the mouth, and the air in such a way that the pitch of each note is correct. (If it is out of tune, it is not the right note and it really doesn't matter that you fingered it correctly.)

Fingerings:

• High Eb. left hand: 1/2 hole, 2, 3 and low B key; left hand: 5, 6. NO OCTAVE KEY
• High Db. left hand: 2, 3 (left index finger OFF); right hand; 1 and low c key. NO OCTAVE KEY
• Bb-Cb trill. Finger Bb, add the Ab key, trill with the left middle finger. (If this doesn't work on your oboe, then finger Bb and slide the left index finger onto the spatula attached to the little key below the 1/2 hole key so that you hold that little key shut when you trill with the left middle finger.)
• Ab-Bb trill. Finger Ab, trill with the left middle finger.

If you have questions, email me, and I'll try to get back to you soon! GOOD LUCK!
  Dr. Kevin Schilling