Tonguing in both flute and oboe?

Question

I've playing flute and oboe for almost a year now. However, I'm not sure I've developed the proper blowing technique. Recently I learned that you play the flute making a T sound with your tongue and fast notes TKT etc. Now I'm a bit confused when playing oboe. Are you supposed to make a T sound as well? I've read in the internet that it's more of D sound but I don't even know if you're supposed to use your tongue at all. Whenever I've tried using I just cover the reed with spit. Please help me!
Also, would you please recommed what type of reed should I buy. I don't know how to make them yet so I buy them off the internet. I started out with Rico reeds but they've stopped selling them and now I've switched to Selmer reeds. Advaice is greately appreciated!

Answer 1

Hey there,



I've been playing the oboe for close to 10 years and have just finished my music degree on oboe, and have recently been correcting my tonguing technique because it has never really been secure for me - I have a lisp and T and D on an oboe reed doesn't work with my mouth like it does for others. When learning the oboe I heard a lot about T and D on the reed which is good when first learning the instrument as it gives you a basic idea of the tongue action. Instead of T or D, I think of tonguing with just behind the tip of the tongue onto the tip of the bottom blade of the reed. The tongue should sit as close to the reed as possible and move as little as possible in order to be clean. It should also have some kind of anchor, for me the tongue sits on my bottom lip.

In terms of the tongue action, think of the tongue moving back off the reed, and when put on the reed as flowing along with the air - like an arm muscle contracting to pick up something heavy (taking the tongue off the reed), and then instantly releasing and relaxing when the thing is dropped (tongue coming back on to the reed).

If you are getting spit in the reed, persist with the action, it may be a problem with your embouchure being too relaxed rather than the tongue action, give it time!

In terms of reeds I don't think I can help you as I don't know what scrape you are playing, but I assume it's American long-scrape (don't stress if you have no idea what that is!) so I'd probably go for La Voz, medium soft. It may be a good idea to see if there are any music stores or double reed suppliers around your area, often you can try reeds before you buy, and you know exactly which ones you are getting because oboe reeds can vary extremely. Ask your teacher also! He/she might have some ideas or put you in touch with someone who does.



Best of luck with your music making,



Daf

Answer 2

Sax is the coolest, definetly don't give that up! What other instrument can you play in concert band, jazz band, and solo....well beside trumpet and trombone too....Either way, SAX IS COOL! Oboe is not as unusual as you think, but it is cool too! It has a neat sound, find some oboe players on youtube...it takes alot of experience though before you can get a really good sound..but just like anything though. Your embouchure and reed are your mouthpiece. Consider how your face structure is...do you have crooked teeth, do you have thin lips...this could cause learning oboe to be difficult for you. How you form your embouchure, a good reed, and the quality of the instrument it what it takes to be good at it! Good luck on the decision! Pick something though and stick with it....get REALLY good on one particular instrument....then the others come easy. ;- )

Answer 3

As far as flute goes, you do use the t and tkt sounds depending on the type of style your director wants. Generally slow lyrical parts require more of a du sound than a tu sound. Tu is a really good for fast staccato marches or if you just want to seperate notes more. As far as oboe, you need to ask your director what type of reed would be the best for your playing level and ability. There is a wide variety out there, it's just choosing the one that is best for you.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I used to play flute and I learned to use the "t" sound only, but I suspect that was just the band teacher's generic tonguing advice for all instruments. I just started to play oboe and the method book I am using teaches both "t" and "d", with the "d" appearing later in the book. The "d" makes a more smoother tonguing and, given my novice technique, makes me sound less choppy.

Answer 5

For one rico reeds suck so you should buy vandoren...made in france they are better quality so they cost more but they last longer and I think with oboe you use more your air than your tounge for "tongueing"..IDK because I play clarinet

Answer 6

As far as the flute, this link will help you. I'm sorry I don't have anything else for you but I'm into low brass and found this video on YouTube and found it helpful even for me. It's tounging techniques from some teacher at Kentucky University. Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s3l_zBrJT0&feature=PlayList&p=FF6C946F383B916C&index=2 Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3X_xI2Rto0&feature=related Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7bA4ibn4OM&feature=related Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lqNKopV4B8&feature=user I hope this helps!