blowing on my oboe reed(is that how you spell it?) i heard that professional oboists’ intestine pops out cuz they blow hard on their oboe and this is not a joke its real
(For the record: My intestines have never popped out.)
I was very musical at a young age. So much so that Churchill Cooke, our elementary school band and choir director, let me teach parts in the choir when I was in the fourth grade. First I played the xylophone, then marimba, cymbals, French horn, bassoon — I became a sort of jack-of-all-trades. It’s a mindset that I think never really left me. Mr. Cooke would say, “We need an oboe part for this piece, Neil. Learn oboe.” And I would say, “Sure, Mr. Cooke. Who needs friends?”
-Neil Patrick Harris
I read it here.
I’m loving the opera Idomeneo. I have yet to grow weary of the music, and I doubt that I will. I’ve seen the sets and costumes and I know they are incredible. I think the singing is great. It’s longer than any Opera San José production I’ve ever played and yet it feels shorter than many.
Until I get home.
I arrive home at about midnight. I could whine, but I am guessing I live closer to the hall than any other pit pal aside from one, so I’m home before nearly everyone else. Thus whining is nixed. Right?
Okay … sort of … I guess I’m still whining a wee bit. What can I say? It’s my forté!
But oh how weary I am! From about 2000 until maybe 2004 or so I played shows up in San Francisco on occasion. 8 shows a week. Driving to San Francisco 6 days a week. During much of that time time two of our kids were still living at home and I was carting around to and from school and other things. I would get home even later than I’m getting home now, due to the hour commute. Now I can’t help but wonder … how did I do that?! I think I must have been insane.
Or maybe it’s just that I was younger.
I now have three more performances. Some things have gotten much easier for me, but the odd thing about playing that many performances is that, at least for me, some things get more difficult. I felt as if my performance last night was less than stellar. I’ve got to get my energy and focus back for these final three performances. The music is too incredible to do less than my absolute best.
Maybe listen twice: once with your eyes shut to “see” (hah!) if you can hear the difference between the guitars and once with eyes open.
Fugue BWV 998
oboe pissed me off. I paid 13 dollars for a reed n didn’t know it had to really soak so it cracked after 10 minutes.
Anyone ever heard of Felix Draeseke? I couldn’t find many videos that showed musicians playing his music, but here are a couple.
Quintet for piano, violin, viola, cello and horn in B-flat op 48: Finale
Coburger Draeseke Ensemble:
Diana Zohrabyan, Violine
Zhuo Lu, Viola
Michael Gareis, Violoncello
Klaus Rohleder, Horn
Christian Reissinger, Klavier
Little Suite for English Horn and Piano, Op. 87: 1. Menuett and Trio
Bernhard Forster, Englisch Horn
Antonio Grimaldi, Klavier
I want to learn to play oboe! Or clarinet :(
… that scams are never going to stop.
Here’s the spam email of the day for you. Remember: Don’t believe ‘em. Don’t answer ‘em. Just dump ‘em! If you answer and give them the info they want and they send you that cashier’s check for too much money and they ask for a check back from you, you’re really falling for the scam. But even if you just answer, even if it’s to scam ‘em back by saying “I charge $1,000 per lesson, they’ll know your email is a legit one. Just. Don’t. Answer.
Hello,
I’m Mrs sandra cowell from Paris ,France.during my search for a oboe instrument lesson teacher that would always take my son (chris) and I found you..Your advert looks great and it is very okay to me since you specialize in the area i am seeking for him… My Son would be coming to US (your city) Before the end of this month for a period of time and with his friend for 2 Months.he is just a beginner and he is 16 years old, i want you to help me teach lesson during his stay. So, kindly let me know your charges cost per week’s ,in order for me to arrange for his payment before he travels down to your side. I have also made preparation for his personal equipment he will be using privately at home after the lesson during his stay.
Please Advise back on;
(1). your charges per 1 hour twice a week for 2 Months?
(2).The Day and time you will be available to teach him During the week?
(3).Tuition address?
I will be looking forward to read from you soonest.
Best Regards,
Mrs sandra cowell
i hate playing flute part, clearly i’m an oboe and bringing half the notes down an octave is to much thinking. #oboeproblems
Lin, who studied graphic arts and now works for a printing company, has been fascinated with classical music since junior high school, but he never had the opportunity to get formal music training and satisfy his desire to play an instrument at a high level.
He taught himself to play the recorder and the flute, but that was not enough. His passion for music was only satisfied 10 years ago while he served in the military.
That was when Lin, 33, found discarded wood in his barracks and used it during his free time to carve his first mini piano sculpture. That was just the beginning.
As Lin dove into the world of mini instruments, he was surprised to find himself immersed in an immense universe, never suspecting the staggering variety of instruments that have existed since ancient times.
RTWT and look at the miniature violin … very cool! Still, I think he should make reeds. Yes?
just played my oboe and i do miss it
From the YouTube page:
Listen for Life ( www.listenforlife.org ) presents: Indian village 4 — bamboo singing.
The “raut” are a societal group of cowherders, and their special style of singing is very old. It’s called “bans geet” or “bamboo singing,” because it is accompanied by musicians who use the “shehnai” or double-reed bamboo flute. In fact, the raut people just call the instrument the “bamboo.” And the singing itself is a prayer to ancestors for good fortune. This is another of the videos shot in the remote village of Matiya, India.
This oboe will be the death of me.
I frequently ponder the length of my career. How long will I last? Will I hang it up before someone has to tell me “it’s time!”?
I’ve been playing professionally since 1975. 36 years isn’t anywhere near 69.
Meanwhile, there are those that have been playing professionally for over 60 years. WOW. Check out this blog entry by Norman Lebrecht. Here’s a few of the people and some years for you:
Violinist Francis Darger: Utah Symphony 1942 to 2011 – 69 years – current member
Bass: Jane Little, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra – 1945 to 2011- 66 years – current member
Principal Timpanist Richard Horowitz: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra 1946 to 2011 – 65 years – current member
Violinist Felix Resnick: Detroit Symphony Orchestra – 1943 until his death in April 2008 at age 89. 65 years
… to read about more of these people, read the whole blog entry!
And notice: no oboists on the list. I blame the reed woes.
