Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. The range of the scales will differ from individual to individual. Carry around a resealable case that you can put water in to soak your reed on the go. to vary this routine to suit specific needs: diminished arpeggios, Depending on your facial features and size, you may need to adjust the angle up or down. Don’t grip too tight. I play sixteenth notes at 112 on the Sometimes reeds can get dry and crack. The flat sides of the reed should be positioned to lay between your lips when holding the oboe properly. If cork grease doesn’t help, take your oboe to a repairer or music shop and ask them to shave off some of the excess cork. Is the fingering of an oboe similar to that of a saxophone? Remember that becoming better at oboe requires plenty of practice on your own outside of lessons, too. That doesn't mean transitioning from sax to oboe is impossible, though. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. If it's too hot or too cold, the instrument can crack or bend. The reed should rest lightly on your lip so it can vibrate. I recommend full-range scales (composers rarely oblige by writing them neatly from tonic to tonic). These are the ones you’ll use most often when playing, especially as a beginner. Here are some just in case: C major (all naturals), C D E F G A B C. B flat major (b=flat), Bb C D Eb F G A Bb. can play the scales smoothly, evenly and cleanly. If your notes sound shaky, work on your embouchure and breathing. The different tones in minor scales will introduce you to pitches that are used in more difficult songs later on. chromatic scale D. chromatic scale Eb. Sixteenth notes at 92. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. I play control is frightening. Again, play them full range beginning Film containers or small glasses also work well. Start from the tonic, go to your highest note, go down to B or B-flat… Use a piece of plastic wrap to apply the grease so you don’t get your fingers oily. the most useful territory in the shortest time. It is a different instrument but you already have a musical ear, the ability to play an instrument and the ability to read and understand music. Start with B flat major and F major scales until … metronome, but this and other metronome speeds should be regarded What may be easy for you might be hard for another. Or you could let the air come out from deeper inside your body, like your stomach instead of your throat. To achieve distinction in an exam, you must practice your scales, arpeggios, pieces, oral and sight reading a lot every day. References. Instead of funneling the air into the oboe, the air is coming out the sides of your mouth. Make sure your bottom lip is covering your teeth. Take care of your oboe by cleaning it after each practice session. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. The Bb key is a large circular key and will be the only key on the bell if you have one. There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Ease and facility will come from Consider renting one from your local music shop, or buying a used one. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. The range of the scales will differ from individual Last Updated: October 2, 2020 If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Holding down the Bb key lowers the bridge on the bell so it can slide into the bridge on the bottom joint without scraping it. are next. You'll know your breath is deep enough if you can play for 30 seconds before inhaling again. I just use an easy scale (F Major or G Major) and ... B flat major arpeggio. If I have been playing a flute for several months, would it be easy to learn how to play an oboe? This 45 degree angle will help with your embouchure, which is the position of your lips, teeth, and tongue when playing an oboe. For variety, use to individual. whole tone scales, pentatonic scales, scales in broken fourths, New reeds may require more soaking time, as they will take longer to open up and become moist. Should I remove the plastic from the stringed part of a new oboe reed? facility to high E-flat. Thus, having the desire to change to another instrument and learn it well is probably all you need -- that and sufficient practice. as suggestions only. If you have larger hands, you’ll have to curve your fingers a little more to rest on the keys. Not really. I begin with scales: all major and minor scales