Cover…
Monday December 10 2007
It’s 3:45 am and I can’t sleep. Darn. another one of those oboe-insomnia things Patty and I suffer from.
I had a good practice today (or rather yesterday), and discovered in my own playing that I believe I need to bring the angle of my oboe down toward me more. It adds a bit more cover, and makes my upper notes sit up, an issue that was stated on my jury sheets on my Strauss. I’m excited about this new discovery and look forward to testing it out more, but I definitely felt some new muscles!
Almost caught up with reed orders again. I made some big reed discoveries recently which has added more stability and depth in the sound of my reeds. Very exciting indeed.
Obohemia has some ridiculously funny reed art. I had to look at them carefully to even recognize them as reed paraphernalia
Burnout
Sunday December 09 2007
After having passed the preliminary round, I should be doubling my efforts on the Strauss Concerto. The finals are January 20th, just over a month away, and if I want to have chops of steel, I should be running the piece at least three times a day. But I can’t get myself to do it.
Because I’m on Winter Break—
—and my brain has taken a vacation.
Every day I keep telling myself, “Today is the day I’m going to start my marathon practicing!“ but I end up putting it off another day.
On the brighter of sides, I began teaching a student who just switched over from flute a couple of weeks ago. He has one of the most naturally perfect embouchures I’ve ever seen and I’m in total awe. What a gift from God!
OBOE REED SALE
Thursday December 06 2007
Well, I’m just about all caught up on my reed orders, and am now offering a HOLIDAY… REED… SALE…. For up to three reeds, you can take $4 off. This means pro reeds are $14, Student reeds are $11, plus $5 shipping and handling ($10 for orders or more than 5 reeds, I ship registered mail.)
So if you’ve always wanted to order a reed or two from me but always thought I was too expensive, try it now for a sale price!
Read the RestA funny little JdL story…
Tuesday December 04 2007
A reader wrote me to tell me this:
Some years ago, Wayne Rapier, who played beside him in the Phil. Orch. in the early 60s, told me that when de Lancie had his heart attacks around 1960, they had a cot set up down there (underneath the Academy of Music) and when JdL felt too tired at rehearsals or even during concerts, Wayne would persuade him to go and take a rest there. I have to wonder what kind of rest he could get though with the sound of the Orchestra playing right on top of him… but that’s the story Wayne told me.
The results are…
Tuesday December 04 2007
—I passed the preliminary round! Out of the winds, only 2 of us survived.
The final round will be January 20th. One month to work my butt off.
Read the Rest