OBOE COMMON PROBLEMS AND REMEDIES

Common Problems and Remedies for Oboe Playing

Sound Production Issues

• Symptom: The student is not getting a sound.

  • Problem: Reeds aren’t vibrating; student is closing them off/biting.

    • Remedy:

      • Ensure the opening between the reeds is the correct size.

      • Ensure the reed was set in the embouchure properly.

      • Ensure the student is taking in enough reed.

• Symptom: Airy sound.

  • Problem: The air is escaping out the sides of the embouchure.

    • Remedy:

      • Ensure the corners of the embouchure are drawn in towards the reed.

• Symptom: You hear an ‘uh, uh’ sound and space between the notes.

  • Problem: The student is stopping the air with the throat instead of the tongue.

    • Remedy:

      • Ensure the student is using the correct articulation syllable to start sound: “THUH” as in the word ‘through’ without the ‘r’.

      • Ensure the tip of the top of the tongue is touching the edge of the reed.

• Symptom: You hear a ‘thwat, thwat’ sound while tonguing.

  • Problem: The student is using the middle of the tongue, referred to as 'anchor tonguing'.

    • Remedy:

      • Ensure the student is using the correct articulation syllable to start sound: “THUH” as in the word ‘through’ without the ‘r’.

      • Ensure the tip of the top of the tongue is touching the edge of the reed.

Intonation Issues

• Symptom: Flat notes.

  • Problem: Flat throughout the range of the instrument.

    • Remedy:

      • Ensure the reed is all the way in the receptacle.

      • Slightly roll the reed in.

      • The reed may be new and require adjustments from a private instructor.

• Symptom: Sharp notes.

  • Problem: Sharp throughout the range of the instrument.

    • Remedy:

      • Ensure the embouchure is set properly with the corners of the embouchure in towards the reed.

      • Slightly roll the reed out.

      • The reed may be old and soft.

Dynamics and Pitch Issues

• Symptom: When the oboe crescendos, it goes sharp.

  • Remedy:

    • Roll the reed out to lengthen the instrument.

• Symptom: When the oboe decrescendos, it goes flat.

  • Remedy:

    • Do not allow the air speed to change.

    • Roll the reed in slightly to raise the pitch.

• Observation: The low end of the oboe (Bb-C) tends to be flat.

• Observation: The top end of the oboe tends to be sharp.