Shout out?

My reeds have been going really well recently! I made 6 blanks earlier this week, and *four* of them turned out well! I am psyched, guys. Good reeds mean that I actually enjoy practicing, and enjoying practicing means that I will actually practice, and that my actual practice will sink in. My playing was suffering (I think because of my reeds, but probably that is not the whole problem), but now I am feeling much more confident! I’ve been stuck on the last few articulation studies in the Barret. I don’t know why! They are were eluding me. I guess I must have put up a mental block about them. BUT I will conquer them this week. Practice is going well! I have been playing Schumann’s Romances, in my Beth Anns (accompaniment rehearsals/coachings), and they are fun! It is a challenge to get through all of them without dying, of course, but it feels like a long time since I have played something long and lyrical when I can really get into my tone and phrasing.

ICE (Improvisational Concert Ensemble) is going well too! Jim has some very pointed views on improv as an artform (in that he doesn’t think it is on par with studies or interpretive ensembles like orchestra or band), but I think I disagree. Improv is a creative art, rather than an interpretive one, but that doesn’t make it any less of a skill! I think it’s helping my oboe playing and musicianship, too. In ICE I don’t have sheet music to distract me from listening closely to the other musicians, and playing in tune and with the best possible tone. It’s so cool to get into that space where I’m in a zone with the music with no distractions and can really focus! I wish I knew of some other oboists who do improv; I’d love to hear it.

There should be a blog coming soon by bassoonist Adam Romey about the Sue Heineman masterclass that happened last week.