Dear Ones,
Ideally, - I think - that people should practice the oboe as much as they eat. BON APPETITE!
Just digest that concept for a moment.
Some people eat just one huge meal a day, some people twice, some people 3x, some people even snack too and eat meals.
The oboe - of all instruments - really IS special and requires consistent attention to keep up. Like a thirsty garden in the sun - needs consistent sun and water - to thrive and stay alive.
(Other instruments can get away with less sun and water - but the OBOE is not a “Shade garden - stay moist - kind of plant” The OBOE is a bit of a demanding mistress… requires regular attention.)
If you think of practicing like food, you’re gonna be just fine! Types of practice is like types of nourishment.
It’s good to have a balanced diet of practice for your overall playing strength and capabilities for your overall musical health. Different eras of music are like types of cuisine!
Customize your practice to reflect what you need at different meals during the day.
Let your practice room or space be like a dining room table - or kitchen nook or alcove, maybe even spice it up with a picnic outside! Visit a friend for practice like you would visit a friend for dinner, and play Potter duets and or Telemann Cannonic Sonatas! HAVE FUN
I remember my dear friend James, freaking out when he visited me once in a practice room at the conservatory. To him, it looked like a prison cell, to me it was heaven. In the practice room - I grew and stretched my wings. Here - I was safe to let my imagination run wild and cultivate skill to give voice to the imagination.
BUT to many, at first, the practice room can be daunting and to many with experience, there’s nothing like some new ideas or a breath of fresh air to assist in the advancement of technical development and skill liberation. It’s like eating - WHAT’S FOR DINNER? What should I cook tonight?
WHAT TO PRACTICE today?????
Sight reading people SIGHT READING - like trying new recipes! DO IT. think YUM
Y
U
M
be daring. PLEASE - or you won’t know what you’re missing!
Buy yourself a new book - and start cooking! You won’t regret it. You might even enjoy yourself!
(You might ever ACQUIRE a new taste!)
IN GENERAL
I suggest the following format - adjust to suit yourself
1) As the reed soaks, warm up your oboe under your arm pit and MEDITATE - keep it simple
5 step or 6 step focus (2 - 5 minutes) - very simply put (email me for details or see future blog) - sit in a meditative posture - gently close your eyes, focus your mind on your breathing, posture, hearing, deeper breathing, cont. with eyes open…)
2) Long tones
3) improvisational warm ups
4) Scales
5) sight reading
6) repertoire
7) études
YOU control how much time of every above number - or what to eliminate what days or practice sessions from your diet. You don’t have to eat everything ALL the time or at every meal - but I strongly encourage you to make sure, you get a balanced diet in the overall picture!
EMAIL me - if you want any help with any of the above numbered suggestions. I AM AT YOUR SERVICE.
Suggestions: Practice oboe as much as you want!
Ditch what gets in the way of your time to practice, that you can manage. (DARLINGS - YOU MUST EAT! Food IS LOVE! )
Break up your practice time. 2 or 3 x a day - YUM
PIG OUT
If you’re embouchure weakens and tires - remember that you don’t have to stop! You can practice silently.
tips: Play a measure - then just finger the next measure while you hear it in your head - keep alternating
of course you can do this by alternating playing and silently practicing per line or alternating per phrase or per movement
You can play a movement, then silently practice it - PERFECTLY in your head - then play it again. (Excellent technique!)
Establish practice time habits AND extra practice time possibilities … meal times = priority and regularity and snack time options! IN FACT - establish your practice routines - and then entice yourself with special snack time TREATS… like encore pieces, or orchestral excerpts or themes to your favorite tunes …
What’s your comfort food pieces? INDULGE in playing… THAT piece. Relish a great memory by revisiting that special work…. If you don’t have history or experience to do that, then you can EXPLORE.
OF course, you’re never to old to EXPLORE. (This is where I can help seasoned players - with sight reading stuff… ; )
A routine can be perfect. Establish a place and time to regularly practice, like eating habits and stick to it.
For many, practicing might be more realistic to think of as having an exercise routine. 2, 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 X a week.
MATH
Just think - 10 minutes of practice, 6 days a week = 1 hour a week X 52 = 52 hours a year. That’s something.
IT ALL ADDS UP
every minute matters. You can find the time. TREAT YOURSELF
So, if you’re “just a hobbyist” and you want to practice oboe, a demanding mistress, an instrument which requires regularity of time practiced - then keep your practice time regular and consistent.
If you can practice at least 1.2 an hour 3X a week, or 20 minutes for 5 days a week and you are an adult person with acquired musical skill, then you can get away with maintaining a minimum level relationship with the oboe. More is better, more is more! Less is probably not enough to just coast …and worth re evaluating if the oboe is the right instrument for you. Oboe practice is like long distance running - it’s not just for the weekends. You need at least 3 days a week of practice to maintain a reasonable relationship.
Ideally, 3X a day is more like it… like eating… If you practice as much as you eat - bon appetite! And may you never hunger! Hope you can practice at least once a day.
In future practice routine blogs - I’ll elaborate a bit on the different numbers listed above - maybe throw in a new recipe - see sight reading blogs too if you wish - that said - I’ll throw in a rose from A DOZEN ROSES as an appetizer or snack for you. - as the blog title cover. email me if you have questions kathrynjpotter@gmail.com
(I offer SKYPE lessons, and services like Listening to you, and Sight reading and customizing work out routines to those who wish.)
MOST OF ALL - have fun - and enjoy the journey of being an oboist.
LOVE LOVE
At your service,
K.J.P.
March 27, 2020