Tough First Day
Monday September 24 2007
I had a tough one today. Counterpoint is going to be a lot of work, but I like the professor. He’s a nice guy. It’s something that I really am not real excited about, but I know I need to learn it, and I know I will eventually be able to build off of it the rest of my musical career. So I just need to bite the bullet and go for it.
I also had my first oboe lesson today. We did a lot of scales, and talked about rhythm a lot. Bottom line is I need to be rhythmic in everything I do. I mean absolutely perfectly rhythmic. Even in my “reed testing toot toot warmup” as my professor put it. We set goals for the upcoming quarter: Le Tombeau, La Scala, and Mozart Concerto. No problem. Piece of cake. Right? Oh, and did I mention, a recital in November? And WW Quintet. And Orch. And Wind Ensemble. And Lord knows what else.
First orchestra rehearsal today. The good news is I had fun. The bad news I had too much fun. The conductor said several times, “A little less 1st oboe.” Well, at least he can hear me. I think this is going to be really good for me. I need to get better at balancing with a woodwind section (I haven’t had to worry about it much for a long time.) I got my butt kicked on Symphonie Fantastique. The whole piece just is very conjunct while playing it, and 1st oboe has lots of 3rd octave work (high Ebs to F#s, maybe G?) The final movement has a nice nasty little trill part that definitely isn’t sightreading friendly, as was proven in my placement audition. OUCH…!
Tomorrow is a new day. History of Opera, oboe studio, and Wind Ensemble. Oh boy. Can’t wait.
My mouth really hurts tonight.
JudyP
Sep 24, 2007
To add to Jillian’s comment, what is counterpoint? 
JudyP
Sep 24, 2007
When I read your blog about playing too loud, I thought that maybe it’s because you played in a symphony. You had to play louder with that large group of musicians, and so you are accustomed to playing that way in a group.
Just a thought.
Jill Cathey
Sep 25, 2007
Sounds like you have a lot on your plate! I have to say I never really found much use for counterpoint, but it was kind of an interesting thing - hopefully you have a good teacher and it won’t be mind-numbingly boring!
Funny your comment on loudness - I am playing for an opera now (madama butterfly) and although the conductor is constantly shushing the orchestra, he keeps saying “more oboe”! This is NOT usually a problem for me, must be this particular orchestration. Also Pucchini thoughtfully put in lots of really low (Bb, B C) triple piano sections, so easy on the oboe HA!
patty
Oct 1, 2007
I noticed how loudly you played when you were here, Cooper. You have a great fortissimo. Working on the opposite end of the spectrum would probably be a good thing. (I always tell my kiddos I’m much more impressed by a perfect pianissimo!) Maybe try playing etudes at a perfect pianissimo? Just an idea, given with a dose of humility as I know I’m certainly far from perfect.
xbkowp
Jan 24, 2010
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Sep 24, 2007
That sounded like a long but great day! Who is teaching counterpoint?
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