tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.comments2024-01-15T21:29:33.424-05:00Born Again Oboe!RobinDesHautboishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06982605859554912966noreply@blogger.comBlogger236125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-50172451692402731692018-01-27T09:13:01.851-05:002018-01-27T09:13:01.851-05:00Merci Nathalie!
Par ici, la difficulté est de trou...Merci Nathalie!<br />Par ici, la difficulté est de trouver un instrument! Je viens d'acheter un hautbois neuf: Bulgheroni me rend la vie tellement plus facile et plaisante. Donc un hautbois d'amour doit être d'occasion ou neuf plus tard. Dans les 2 cas, très rare dans l'est du Canada!<br /><br />Merci d'avoir visité!<br />RobinRobinDesHautboishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06982605859554912966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-18469075618550998362018-01-26T17:39:07.884-05:002018-01-26T17:39:07.884-05:00Bonjour!
Si tu as envie de jouer du hautbois d'...Bonjour!<br />Si tu as envie de jouer du hautbois d'amour <br />N'attends pas. Vas y !c'est qu'il te correspond. <br />Et tu peux continuer aussi à jouer du hautbois!<br />C'est un grand grand bonheur!!<br />N'écoutes pas les détracteurs:ils trouvent de faux problèmes! <br />En suivant les conseils de mon professeur <br />Je suis allée choisir "mon" Loree..entre plusieurs.<br />Pour le hautbois après un Rigoutat pour débuter c'est un Marigaux. Très bien!<br />Je te souhaite de pouvoir réaliser ton rêve <br />C'était le mien aussi et la réalité est encore mieux!<br />Tiens nous au courant!<br />Amicalement.<br />Nathalie <br />Beaune (france)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10216831292315756499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-61468693977986421152017-11-26T14:35:39.340-05:002017-11-26T14:35:39.340-05:00The real problem witn the modern Oboe which is bur...The real problem witn the modern Oboe which is burdened with excessive mechanism is that it is bottom heavy. This means that there is excessive leverage on the RH thumb. The ideal situation would be to re-balance the Oboe somehow resulting in that you could balance the Oboe equally on the RH thumb without either the top or lower ends dropping down. This could be partly solved by going back to a more simple and therefore lighter mechanism. Think the type of Oboe that Leon Goossens used. And bring back the 'onion bulb' at the top of the instrument. This would have to be 'weighted'somehow. Concerning the mechanism. there's a number of gadgets that are there for just one note or trill. If the old masters could do without them and still played high class works then why not us. But no. Oboists must have everything loaded onto the instrument resulted in an over mechanised and HEAVY instrument. So. Just put up with stuffing up your RH thumb and arm ect. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17107489350788610417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-43277133238058100052017-08-09T00:47:00.651-04:002017-08-09T00:47:00.651-04:00From MUTS oboe support:
Why not just glue the flip...From MUTS oboe support:<br />Why not just glue the flip out part holding the reeds inside the hinge cover?<br />I made a circular 6 reed holder using alligator clips padded with hot melt glue, one side epoxied within a marker pen tube. It grips the staple from the inside. This slides into a prescription bottle with vent holes drilled in it.<br />It can be slipped into water with reed tips touching only the water. muts(at)verizon.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-65888504072572717052017-07-13T16:56:23.946-04:002017-07-13T16:56:23.946-04:00Hello Sheryl,
No it's not. You can get the Mus...Hello Sheryl,<br />No it's not. You can get the Musa with their "regular" bell: and you might actually prefer it. The musa is a different body with different bore characteristics: it sounds (to my mind) more broad - but that also means it likes more air. Some people I talked to just prefer the Opera.RobinDesHautboishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06982605859554912966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-75046613375617931002017-07-13T16:23:42.985-04:002017-07-13T16:23:42.985-04:00So is it the bell that makes the Musa different fr...So is it the bell that makes the Musa different from the Opera model?<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01518584908723145240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-35420082649546150092017-07-12T05:37:50.076-04:002017-07-12T05:37:50.076-04:00Congratulations on finally finding your dream inst...Congratulations on finally finding your dream instrument! Quite a surprising choice it turned out to be, too, but certainly a well-researched and honorable one. The Bulgheroni Musa is one of my favorite oboes in the world, and I'm very happy that you are playing on one!! (And that new bell is lovely!) Josh Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03438645364446166701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-85466547152219440742017-07-12T01:42:32.881-04:002017-07-12T01:42:32.881-04:00Congrats to you Robin!!Congrats to you Robin!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16734747635892641705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-55210594661982049922017-02-25T16:46:08.711-05:002017-02-25T16:46:08.711-05:00You're welcome, Mellie! The toughest thing abo...You're welcome, Mellie! The toughest thing about starting again is poor endurance. On this, I can say be very choosy about easy reeds and persist! Now, 6 years after this blog started, there is very little I can't do, so it's well worth the initial pains!RobinDesHautboishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06982605859554912966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-78177562263653631272017-02-25T12:51:08.922-05:002017-02-25T12:51:08.922-05:00I too am hoping to be a born again oboe. I took ab...I too am hoping to be a born again oboe. I took about 8 years off and am ready to dive back in. Thanks for the info on reed making. It is a great start on getting my reeds organized. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01165256875311532573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-21582101153818308382017-01-02T20:35:16.958-05:002017-01-02T20:35:16.958-05:00Thanks for the info, Geoffrey!
Ted Baskin strikes ...Thanks for the info, Geoffrey!<br />Ted Baskin strikes me as not your average American-school player. His sound really marked the Montréal Symphony Orchestra in the 1980's and 1990's. It's much more "present" and capable of the whole dynamic range and power of articulation than I am used to hearing from the USA, that is, until recently.RobinDesHautboishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06982605859554912966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-62910662340777863022017-01-02T19:48:53.214-05:002017-01-02T19:48:53.214-05:00You may be interested to know Ted Baskin lived for...You may be interested to know Ted Baskin lived for a time in New Zealand. He was principal in the Auckland Philharmonia ( as it was then) and also sometimes was called in as an extra with the NZSO. He was a magic player even then (Mid 1970s), and to hear him live was a joy. I can remember being bowled over by a performance of The Silken Ladder...which in my mind, has not been beaten. I met him very briefly once, but never had the pleasure of playing with him.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445542999595207762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-49602497386129196592016-10-30T20:16:30.924-04:002016-10-30T20:16:30.924-04:00How sweet! Very nice. How sweet! Very nice. Mrs. Webfoothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09688935118585583682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-60385872980759895172016-08-08T09:28:44.541-04:002016-08-08T09:28:44.541-04:00Hello Herschel,
(I tried to e-mail your Google+ ac...Hello Herschel,<br />(I tried to e-mail your Google+ account, but I never had much luck with that service. Perhaps you could get in touch via mine? - Click on my name just next to "About me".)<br /><br />For sure this is the person living upstairs from you. It was a tremendous honour when Mtro. Caczynski once invited me to his place on Côte-des-Neiges to read (at the piano) a composition I had written for him. I was there at that recital you describe: stunning!<br /><br />RobinDesHautboishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06982605859554912966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-12912123086174093542016-08-08T00:06:43.885-04:002016-08-08T00:06:43.885-04:00I grew up in Montreal in the Cote Neige area. I li...I grew up in Montreal in the Cote Neige area. I lived in a duplex on Van Horne. Every evening for many many years the person living upstairs would play on his Steinway baby grand. He played beautifully. Some nights my family would sit down in the living room leaning back comfortably with our eyes closed and would just sit there and listen to the beautiful music. The man was a nice man. He drove the French car Citroen for several years. As I got older he would invite me upstairs to watch tv while he played. He used no notes or music books. We even had a few shots of Amaretto. He always complimented me on the way I dressed. I have known him for most of my childhood and teen years but I never knew what he did for a living. Until one day I received an invitation in the mail inviting me and my family to a concert in the old city hall. It was a piano concert. The city of Montreal purchased a Fazzioli piano from Itsly. They paid 70,000 for it and it was never used before this concert. The pianist, Chezlae Kaczynski was giving his final concert before retiring and moving to Italy. He played for me one last time. Thank you Mr. K for the everlasting memories. <br />May you rest in peace. <br /><br />Herschel Friedman Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07592309535322321086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-65274123004722169072016-08-07T23:50:58.114-04:002016-08-07T23:50:58.114-04:00I grew up in Montreal. Would you believe that Mr. ...I grew up in Montreal. Would you believe that Mr. K lived above me in our duplex. He played piano daily and sometime for hours. My dad and I would sit down in our living room below him and would listen to him play. He was a nice man and would compliment me on my clothing when ever we bumped into eachother. I was young and he would invite me upstairs to watch tv while he played on his baby grand. Good memories! <br /><br />Herschel FriedmanAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07592309535322321086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-11440495337226519582016-01-25T10:22:19.122-05:002016-01-25T10:22:19.122-05:00Thank you Jane,
Yes, I agree with the XM: tried on...Thank you Jane,<br />Yes, I agree with the XM: tried on in NY at IDRS 2014. I can't wait to try the LXV at IDRS in Georgia (I hope they bring some)!RobinDesHautboishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06982605859554912966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-47576835839331869822016-01-25T06:26:25.770-05:002016-01-25T06:26:25.770-05:00Hi Robin.. Interesting verdict on the Howarth XL.....Hi Robin.. Interesting verdict on the Howarth XL.. I have an XM which came out a couple of years ago. It is held to be more "European" in tone than the XL. Mine is blowing in beautifully. Try one if you get a chance. Best, jane.Jane Walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-13019510843892146112015-11-04T22:06:58.624-05:002015-11-04T22:06:58.624-05:00Thank you, Howard!
Height, obviously, is a very in...Thank you, Howard!<br />Height, obviously, is a very individual thing. I wanted to get one on my Lorée, but the highest it would go is exactly where the static one is to begin with! My gizmo also fits on adjustable rests - the idea is that raising the thumb might still encourage it to stick out in a less than natural configuration and thus still cause tension in the carpus and then up to the elbow etc..... but that's something that must be evaluated on an individual basis: simply raising/lowering the plate might be just all it takes for you! RobinDesHautboishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06982605859554912966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-5443301603808126062015-11-04T21:49:27.936-05:002015-11-04T21:49:27.936-05:00Bravo Robin - the issue of posture is indeed one t...Bravo Robin - the issue of posture is indeed one that plagues many. I find that the height of the thumb rest to be crucial as well, and on my Marigaux, thankfully an adjustable thumb rest exist. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05416520558633741483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-52368281767177145812015-07-13T12:30:47.697-04:002015-07-13T12:30:47.697-04:00Thank you, jR, for this really insightful reply......Thank you, jR, for this really insightful reply.... no sarcasm here: the discussion you propose is worthy of it's own blog post or even an article in IDRS quarterly.<br /><br />This blog is written by an amateur (myself) with no funding or any payment of any kind, so it's really just a matter of ranting on questions that come to my mind. By some miracle, others find it interesting, so I try to tip the hat by addressing questions that come my way in a manner that can be helpful (I hope) to people with limited experience in the field. => Again, everything here is a matter of my own opinions as both an oboist and a member of the audience, so opposing points of view are a welcome discussion.<br /><br />I personally think it's sad that regionnal (country) tone distinctions are melding away: enjoy them all or not, there is something to be said for variety. The bright, edgy, reedy sound of the old French school - or as I say "snake charmer from black-and-white movies" (assuming it is not just a matter of recording equipment....) is indeed something most people seem to be departing from. But I'm not sure uniformity worldwide is necessarily something to aspire to.... but I'll have to record some Romanian twirl-dances on buzzy and velvety sounding reeds for comparison (if I can find MIDI accompaniment).<br /><br />When you say some sounds favor some technical and/or lyrical aspects; I find it difficult to disagree with you. On the other hand, from my own experience, I tend to consider this notion (by my own standards) as a limitation rather than a quality to aspire to. I have found that the same reed on different oboe makers have a WORLD of different sounds and therefore something as simple as changing a bell might afford the same lyricism or haunting sound while still permitting stacato. I really reject the idea that a performer should physically suffer discomfort and limited expressiveness in order to acheive a desired sound - but that is again my own point of view: I respect and indeed applaud those professionals who really strive for their ideal sounds.<br /><br />The idea of composers composing with specific tone colours in mind..... that I don't buy at all. It strikes me too much like saying Baroque repertoire should not be done on the piano or a modern oboe. I have worked with a number of living composers and none of them ever complained when I suggested alternate sounds. Strauss wrote the oboe concerto for John DeLancie, with his limited dynamic range (to my taste and judging by the poor recordings I have heard), but I really doubt he would have object to the power and intricacy of the latest recordings by the greats of today: such tremendously contrasting styles from one performer to the next - I think composers would actually enjoy seeing people "understand their work" with such variety.<br /><br />But one thing you said I really like: "But does it make sense for an oboe player to play all music with his/her one unique sound – therefore limitation of musical expression?" .... indeed, any single performer may or may not be able to produce different sounds for different repertoires, but thank God that there are so many of us out there with so many different styles!<br /><br />Thank again jR, really good discussion!RobinDesHautboishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06982605859554912966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-80565923649737346912015-07-13T10:49:44.601-04:002015-07-13T10:49:44.601-04:00Very good reasoning and fair understanding of oboe...Very good reasoning and fair understanding of oboe reeds and types... I did not see your discussion on different style of reed influences the way one expresses music with it. Different period music often demands different style of reed, or different sound. Obviously different style of reed affects the way one could articulate the notes and construct phrases, and therefore the way to express music from the notes. For instance, a reed that makes haunting tone, likes of Harold Gomberg, is incompatible with producing very short staccato notes. Neither is it compatible to producing wide dynamic range. Such limitations do influence how one could expresses music. But it sure sounds smooth, soothing, haunting, .... and it is opposite to pre-Marcel Tabuteau era bright reedy sound of old French school. Unfortunately, composers did and still do compose music with certain oboe sound in mind. That is what composers do. Express ones idea musically with certain sound in mind. To be faithful to the music composed, oboe sound does matter. What does this mean to an oboe player? Should an oboe player be able to play oboe with different sounds and therefore reeds? Yes, some music is not as sensitive to type of sound as others. But does it make sense for an oboe player to play all music with his/her one unique sound – therefore limitation of musical expression?<br /><br />Good news is that sound of modern oboe players all over the world appears to merge to similar sound, i.e. not reedy bright yet allows fairly wide range of articulation and dynamics. The keyword is “fairly”. French, English, Dutch, German, even Viennese styles evolved into “fairly” common “European” sound. And American styles evolved into a sound not so drastically different from that of “European”. It appears to be essentially a compromise between ability to express music and avoiding reedy sound. This is not to say there is no distinguishing unique sound of individual players. There are no more differences among modern oboe players as it was in the 60s between Leon Goossens and Harold Gomberg, or Lothar Koch and Heinz Holliger in the 70s and 80s.<br />jRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00043110897376454624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-45278575206876091082014-06-17T20:39:15.766-04:002014-06-17T20:39:15.766-04:00Thank you very much for that insight, Jerome!
I...Thank you very much for that insight, Jerome!<br />I'll have to edit this article and try it for myself. I have always found offset blades to make the reeds feel choked. <br />... the important point you make is that 90% of your reeds are good: this also proves that making concert-grade reeds is not supposed to be a nightmare!RobinDesHautboishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06982605859554912966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-35178801420172554802014-06-17T01:55:43.036-04:002014-06-17T01:55:43.036-04:00I do no1. Having one blade sitting inside another ...I do no1. Having one blade sitting inside another is the only way to have perfect tuning for every reed as the blades never move and the internal volume stays the same. All my reeds are profiled using a rieger profiler, gouged to the same thickness, cut to the same lengh and I even use a density gauge... out of 10 reeds made, 8 will be almost identical, one will be outstanding and the other in the bin.<br /><br />Jerome<br />Principal Oboe of UAE NSO Symphony OrchestraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2121905122650141172.post-45406086440513049692014-06-10T11:47:10.859-04:002014-06-10T11:47:10.859-04:00Thank you, my good man! Takes a good blogger to sa...Thank you, my good man! Takes a good blogger to say so! Hope you get to show-up, we'll have a blast! :-)RobinDesHautboishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06982605859554912966noreply@blogger.com