Thank you, David Ordway Photography, for capturing a few things I have worked on for decades: embouchure, breathing, and left hand position.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Sophie Woods, who will participate in CU Honor Band this weekend! Sophie has studied with me for a few years now, and is an extremely dedicated and self-motivated player. Enjoy yourself, Sophie!

Back to School!

In the spring, I had grand aspirations of posting weekly video posts to inspire students throughout the summer with some of my most basic teaching tips.  Unfortunately, I realized on the first try that my amateur videos both looked and sounded ridiculous.  So, I postponed until now and shall offer a few written tips to get some creativity and motivation flowing before school starts!

USE MORE AIR!
Order plenty of reeds NOW for the fall; most decent brands have long wait lists by the time Labor Day rolls around.
Practice ALL of your scales: Major, Minor (Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic), and Chromatic!
Review what you were working on at your last lesson, and check your notebook to see what was assigned for the summer.
Review any new fingerings you learned, especially for extended range/high register notes, and bring any questions to your first lesson.
Long tones and scales are the best way to get back in shape, improve, AND maintain the hard work you've done!
Check the balance between embouchure and air for anything that isn't working.
If it still isn't working, try playing it in a different octave and then in the intended octave.
PRACTICE WITH A METRONOME!

I look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Coaching for professionals

I found this article fascinating. I recommend it to all of my students, but also any professional colleagues who may happen across this post.

CONGRATULATIONS

to Lia Hankla for making 2012 Colorado All-State Concert Band!

UPDATE 4/15/12: Congratulations to Lia on making FIRST CHAIR at All-State Band this year!

Check out the credits - musicians always do their own stunts!

Back to School!

It is time to go back to school, so make sure you go back having the guidance you need with weekly private oboe lessons! Remember to register at Parlando School for the Arts in Boulder or the Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts in Lafayette. Currently I am only teaching occasionally in Denver, but feel free to contact me if you are interested in that option. Lessons in Denver are perfect if you want some help on oboe, English horn or reeds without making a weekly commitment. You may call my cell phone at 303-910-2718 to inquire. Happy practicing!

Taking Time For Creativity

This is a perfect tag-a-long to the John Cleese video post below. I don't want to seem like I am a proponent of laziness - on the contrary, the creativity fostered by idleness is only brought to fruition by deliberate execution (usually through hard work and determination). So find your balance. Take time to refuel, relax, and reflect. This is a skill which takes time and practice just like learning to play an instrument.

When was the last time you sat down with colors and a blank sheet of paper? When was the last time you slept without an alarm to wake you? When was the last time you allowed yourself a day free of obligations, and let the day unfold?

Why WOULD anybody want to play the oboe?!?

I have had the great fortune to see Joseph Robinson in person a couple of times in the last few years right here in Colorado! The first time at CSU's OboeRAMa, and the second time at a master class hosted by CU-Boulder. It appears he has had his wonderful attitude for quite some time! He has also, of course, always been a fabulous player. I have not had the opportunity to meet most of the other people featured in the video, but I have heard Sherry Sylar play live and admire her playing very much. I love this clip for its complete honesty: from the trials and tribulations of dealing with our temperamental reeds, to confessions of love for the oboe's unique sound.

Martin Schuring always has great advice!

Here is one of his many helpful posts!

Tips on creativity

Top Music Schools!

Glad to see mine both made the list!

Not news, and yet.....

If you're reading this blog, the contents of this article probably won't be news to you. It is nice, however, to have some data to back up what many of us could have guessed by intuition or personal experience.

DON'T MISS THIS!!!

I have my tickets to hear Peter Cooper perform the Mozart Concerto with the Colorado Symphony. Do you?

As holiday vacations approach...

... it is important to remember that you can't get better without PRACTICE!



Notice that even after he thinks he has it, he tries it again in a different way just to make sure!

I'm not sure if everyone getting an oboe is really the best idea....

I can't resist...

... even though I hear middle ground all the time!

http://www.tonedeafcomics.com/oboe-spectrum

Mpingo

This is a photo taken by Erin Hannigan in Carlos Coelho's oboe shop. Carlos says this much grenadilla (or mpingo) wood could probably make two oboes!

Musical EXPRESSION

Musicians talk about musical expression A LOT. I like how this video illustrates musical expression with facial expression. Watch closely and you will see: question and answer, going forward and coming away, mood changes, dynamic changes, and the same musical material presented uniquely each time. While both the musician's and actor's expressions are based on what the composer wrote (meter, rhythm, melody, and harmony), they have both added to that information with their own artistic sense to make it interesting and, I think you'll agree, entertaining.

A quick tip on musical etiquette...

This video illustrates well one rule of musical etiquette: If one of your fellow musicians is preparing for a performance, don't practice their part if there is any chance they might hear you. Likewise, do not finger along while a colleague is playing a solo. Make plenty of time to practice the repertoire you like in the solitude of your practice room.