oboeinsight

Okay … frustrating rotten evening … I’m all about honest posting, so you get to hear (well, read) me freak out on occasion. I hope this blesses you in some special way.

We rehearsed the Mozart’s Violin Concert #5 tonight. Not a huge deal for second oboe really. But when we began I couldn’t find the pitch to save my life! My ears are acting up again; it’s reminiscent of when I was low on iron. (I’m hoping it’s not another iron issue.) I feel as if I’m in a bubble, or maybe my ears need popping. But of course nothing makes them better. This really makes me nuts with pitch. I seem to lose my center. So I’d hear something and adjust but whatever I’d do was clearly very wrong. Truth be told, I was horribly embarrassed. I hate being embarrassed because I think my colleagues are just horrified by my playing. It’s really demoralizing. Sigh.

After the break I had managed to get my bearings by playing with the principal oboe and trusting my instincts more. So I at least ended on a better note (pun sort of intended and when people say “pun not intended” I think they are lying). But still … now I’m in panic mode. And I absolutely hate panic mode.

I think I need to crawl under some nice warm blankets and rest. Tomorrow is a two service day. I hope it’s not a two service humiliation day.

Okay … reed cases can be sort of addictive, and yes, I have a few. but some are getting ragged and, well, one always hopes that a new reed case will improve the reeds, eh? The one pictured below is close to what I want … but I’m not sure about the wood. I’d want to know how much the darn thing weighs! I’m into traveling as light as possible, although that’s not saying much when you are carrying an oboe, music, knives and other equipment, and various other necessary things along. Still, anyone have this case? I’d love to hear about it!

I prefer these wire spring sorts of holders. I find the typical ribbon style of holders to be difficult to use sometimes, and when I’m quickly switching reeds popping one of these guys out of the spring holders is very cool.

I “borrowed” the picture from Singin’ Dog Double Reeds. It’s a good shop. Check ’em out!