Instrument Introduction (Western Music) Woodwind Oboe

Oboe Woodwind instrument Frequent Soloist in symphony Oboe is a woodwind instrument and it is commonly made of plastic or resin and African Blackwood for a higher quality of oboe. The sound of oboe is full of sentiments, it also named as “the soprano in the orchestra”.

Position in Orchestra A modern orchestra commonly includes 1-2 oboists and may have 3 oboists in a large performance Before performing, Symphony Orchestra may tune the sound of the oboe first and use it as a standard to adjust the tone of the other instruments. Constantly plays the main tone in orchestral and chamber music. In symphony, it always plays in solo

The Sercet of Oboe ! Reed(Double Reed) Keys Upper joint Main joint The notation of oboe is marked in Treble clef and its playing range is from B♭ to A6, narrower than other woodwind instruments. Reed(Double Reed) Keys Lower joint Upper joint Main joint

The Sercet of Oboe Double Reed Single Reed Q Mouthpiece Q What is the difference between the double reed and the single reed? Ligature Single Reed A Double Reed Single Reed Features formed by 2 reeds 1 reed only but need to use with the mouthpiece and the ligature Instruments oboe, bassoon etc. clarinet, saxophone etc Double Reed

The Sercet of Oboe Q What is the materials of the reed of oboe? A It is commonly made of the stem of reed, but other materials such as saccharum sinense and bamboo pieces can also be used.

The Sercet of Oboe Q Why do we need to wet the reed before playing oboe？ A Dry reeds are very difficult to vibrate. After we have wet the reeds, it will become more flexible and can be made to vibrate under more gentle breath pressure.

The Sercet of Oboe Q Why a symphony orchestra use the sound of oboe as a standard to tune the sound of other instruments? A It is because the oboe is difficult to tune the sound compare to other instruments but its sound is smoother after tuning. Therefore, a symphony orchestra may tune the sound of the oboe first.

The Sercet of Oboe Q How ‘s frequent do we replace the reed by a new one? A A reed need to be replace when it has broken. Normally, a reed can be used for 2 weeks to a month. Beginners may break their reed more often during the process of installing or performing the oboe. So they need to bring several reeds along for replacement.

Gesture in Performance Can stand or sit depending on the needs of performance The body keeps straight and slightly move forward. The center of gravity turns upward that makes the makeabdominal muscle free to breathe out and in. Cover the teeth by the lips and hold the reed with the mouth. Pressure the reed by the muscle around the lips to adjust the tune of the oboe. Breathe out first and then breath in. Sometimes, maybe breath out a part of air only and change breath for the next time. It may need the use of the throat to perform a fast melody by controlling the in and out of the air

Famous Oboists Pasculli Buffardin Pierre-Gabriel Buffardin (1690－1768) Antonio Pasculli (1842－1924) Pasculli Heinz Holliger (1939—） Fumiaki Miyamoto (1949－) Buffardin

Famous Oboist Compositions A. Vivaldi :Concerto for oboe, strings in C major P. I. Tchaikovsky : The Swan Lake C.C. Saint-Saens : Oboe Sonata in D major Joseph-Maurice Ravel ：Prelude from Tombeau de Couperin