I just heard (and watched) the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester (Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra) play Don Juan.
Obviously the principal oboist’s embouchure is a wee bit different than I preach to my students (and myself), but I’m guessing the reeds used are German or something similar. Some day I’d love to see what those are like. As one of my students was saying, the short scrape seems as if it would be SO much easier to make. Maybe we should all think of changing.
Or maybe not.
But anyway, I’m quite impressed by this orchestra. Even if they make me feel a wee bit … um … old.
Who? Me? 😉
the short scrape IS easier to make! try it 🙂
Trouble is, it would also require a change in embouchure. … and what might happen to my sound? We do have to have a certain sound here! Hmmm.
Still, someday I want to try it! 🙂
Really? I didn’t know about the change in embouchure. In what way? perhaps you might even sound better 😛
I take in very little reed, and I like a darker sound than the short scrape produces.
If you listen to oboe players from around the world you will hear the difference.
I remember hearing from a man who auditioned for an orchestra here. He said he played extremely well, but didn’t make finals. Then he heard another player and couldn’t believe how different that player sounded. It’s largely because of the reed.