<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[oboealli]]></title><description><![CDATA[oboealli]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:22:21 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.oboealli.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Chronic Octave Key Water]]></title><description><![CDATA[I've just gotten through back-to-back auditions, then a faculty recital, and was practicing during my President’s Day break when I noticed a concerning number of times that my second octave key got filled with water not too long into my practice session. Likewise, nearly all of my students have had issues with water in their octave keys, and one weirdly in their E key. All this to say…if you’ve been having chronic water bubbles in your keys, you’re not alone!  Fix Option 1: Remove and clean...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/chronic-octave-key-water</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69cc78564c31bb6f64be451f</guid><pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 2026 07:00:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_ca3d4dfb4c97476899391559a71fca26~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>devanw418</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Revisiting the Legere reeds]]></title><description><![CDATA[Oboe 101: Should you try Legere reeds? Since the start of the year I played 2 concerts with completely new-to-me repertoire (Verdi’s Requiem, and Wind Ensemble arrangements of Borodin Symphony 3 and The Magic Flute), and started really making reeds and practicing in earnest for two upcoming auditions. No, of course they don’t overlap much in terms of repertoire. Yes, one is principal and the other is second oboe. What can I say, I’m ambitious! Or crazy! Who can tell?!  Last Thursday I gave a...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/revisiting-the-legere-reeds</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6975b86042f7501825e0be58</guid><pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 08:00:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b0603_444e7deda7a649c8b2e1b977587a9033~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>devanw418</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Do you have too much air when you play? Why do oboists experience back pressure? ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Oboe 101: Is there such a thing as too much air? It was really nice to hear from a few subscribers recently - today’s edition was inspired by a question I got from Glen. Glen is a multi-woodwind musician, and says  “ my problem is air….too much air, to be precise. [...]I have gotten into taking less air and releasing air while resting if I feel the back pressure is too much, but still run out of steam after about 30 minutes of practice/playing”  I think all of us who have played oboe can...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/do-you-have-too-much-air-when-you-play-why-do-oboists-experience-back-pressure</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6975b6e442f7501825e0bb18</guid><pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 08:00:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03932970ccbc457b9281b320daae6380.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>devanw418</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Oboe 101: Do I need a third octave key? ]]></title><description><![CDATA[I consider the F# and G fingerings to be super advanced, and I don’t see them all that often in my repertoire as a freelancer. So, if you want to know my favorite fingerings for F# and G, they’re listed below. An important note: the fingering I prefer for G works better on my Howarth than it did on Loree instruments I’ve owned in the past, so you might want to use the second-best G fingering listed below if you play a Loree.  F#: 3rd octave XXO|XXO G: 3rd octave XOX|XOO Second-best G: 3rd...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/oboe-101-do-i-need-a-third-octave-key</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68cebb8dc792caf78b8b590a</guid><pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:00:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b0603_57a83770792e4aa0900295a838c54f3d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_806,h_260,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>devanw418</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to get rid of extra air]]></title><description><![CDATA[As we play, we can’t blow all our air through the tiny opening in the oboe reed, so extra deoxygenated air builds up in our body. The pressure of the extra air builds up over time and that’s what is often referred to as “back pressure”. It’s inherent in playing the instrument, and can be really uncomfortable.  Focusing the air is only one part of the equation, though, the other side of coping with the back pressure is releasing that deoxygenated air from your lungs regularly . Today I’m going...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/how-to-get-rid-of-extra-air-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69041d35bb9a5281a8a6edc5</guid><pubDate>Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:00:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b0603_7e24ad8dd5bf44deafc45fc333b5eb89~mv2_d_5813_3875_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>devanw418</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Audition Reflection]]></title><description><![CDATA[Note: this post was originally featured in my newsletter in January 2025. Last week (Wednesday 01/22/25), I auditioned for the second oboe chair with the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera. I was unsuccessful, but played musically and got through the whole list. Of course I’m disappointed, but I’ve been trying to learn from the experience so I can do better at my next audition.  I realize that most of you reading this newsletter won’t go on to audition for a professional orchestra like I’ll...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/audition-reflection</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69041e92151dfd6849f9cf92</guid><pubDate>Fri, 09 Jan 2026 15:00:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f9bdf70f0f2e471fb05616ad8412998c.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>devanw418</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Stamina while playing]]></title><description><![CDATA[I got a question from subscriber Emily. She describes struggling with stamina. This is a common issue for oboists, and right now I can think of at least 3 of my 18 weekly lesson students who aren’t happy with their stamina. I think our (oboist’s) stamina comes down to multiple factors which can be hard to pick apart from each other because they’re all so fundamental to playing. In this blog, I’ll endeavor to describe the factors I see at play in stamina issues, but I’d also really love to...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/stamina-while-playing</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69042b34bb9a5281a8a711b5</guid><pubDate>Fri, 26 Dec 2025 08:00:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_aeaec7b79c6a401cb12dd19763250eb0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>devanw418</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Oboe 101: How much reed is too much reed?]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of the joys and sorrows of playing oboe is the variability in reeds. We’ve all had that one amazing reed that felt super comfortable, and seemed to play like magic! We’ve also had other reeds that are…close to feeling perfect, but just a little bit off. Maybe a bit out of tune, maybe the tone is just not quite open enough.  Every reed has a “Goldilocks” amount of reed that needs to go in your mouth as you play.  The “Goldilocks” spot is the amount of reed in your mouth where your reed...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/oboe-101-how-much-reed-is-too-much-reed</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69042a6c52e873f69d318a63</guid><pubDate>Fri, 12 Dec 2025 08:01:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b0603_30baea5c7d5e496dbaf84f62381f88a2~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_480,h_640,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>devanw418</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Oboe 101: How to make a great recording]]></title><description><![CDATA[Whether you are a student applying for All-State, an adult amateur, or a beginning oboist, you will need to make a recording of yourself at some point. Plus, recording yourself playing can be an amazing practice tool and reveal those things a private teacher or conductor might notice for you.  Plan ahead for your recording session:  Know the guidelines  This includes: total allowed length of recording, what repertoire is to be played, what order to play in, whether the recording can stop...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/oboe-101-how-to-make-a-great-recording</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ceba9cc792caf78b8b56df</guid><pubDate>Fri, 28 Nov 2025 08:00:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_f2d7777ba5f04ddd9eee5c4494100f22~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>devanw418</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ 3 Pro-tips for your next practice session…]]></title><description><![CDATA[We’re all so busy these days (students, and parents, and teachers), so today I’ll be sharing my top 3 strategies to make practice sessions really effective.  (These tips work for all musicians, not just oboists!)  Last week I challenged students to make a practice schedule, and be specific about the exact days and amount of time that they would dedicate to practicing, and write their practice schedule down.  If you're a student and you didn't write out your practice schedule yet, take a...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/3-pro-tips-for-your-next-practice-session-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ceba53c792caf78b8b5642</guid><pubDate>Fri, 14 Nov 2025 08:00:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b0603_76b7c643a74d4c98a67831ef4b108cf6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>devanw418</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Oboe 101: How to play a good tuning A ]]></title><description><![CDATA[In April 2025 I played a run of “Turn of the Screw” by Benjamin Britten. If you’re not familiar with the opera, it’s a ghost story/psychological thriller with themes based upon a 12-tone row. Talk about fun and weird and spooky and hard! The orchestration is for a small orchestra, basically a string quintet (with bass), a woodwind quintet, harp, percussion, and piano/celeste. Although the show closed yesterday, I think I’ll have the melodies floating around in my head for the rest of the...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/oboe-101-how-to-play-a-good-tuning-a</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ceb9fbc792caf78b8b5571</guid><pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2025 07:00:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b0603_9d4fbb20f5ed4e12a903732564626137~mv2_d_6016_4016_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>devanw418</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Does it matter which blade of the reed is up? ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Today’s quick tip is an answer to the question: Does it matter which blade of the reed is up?  The short answer is: Yes!  If you’re a longtime reader, you’ll know that I’m not happy with a short answer, so let’s get into it.  In reed making, we use a slightly rounded cutting block to clip the tips of most reeds.  Cutting block on my desk The subtly rounded top of the cutting block means that the reed is almost always held at a slight angle, making one of the blades ever so slightly  shorter...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/does-it-matter-which-blade-of-the-reed-is-up</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ceb9adaef6910f9dd92289</guid><pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2025 07:00:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b0603_b258d46b22704b5d9e0c1a54d1cf9f49~mv2_d_6016_4016_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>devanw418</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Oboe 101: What anchor point do you use? ]]></title><description><![CDATA[I’ve found that choosing an anchor point for my reed has a huge impact on my playing, and I hope this concept will be helpful to you as well!  What is a reed anchor point? In this case, I’m referring to the spot on the player’s upper or lower lip that the reed presses into more strongly. When we play, we tend to press the reed into either the upper or lower lip, depending on our personal preference and the intonation of the reed. The anchor point that you play with can have a large effect on...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/oboe-101-what-anchor-point-do-you-use</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ceb88dc792caf78b8b523b</guid><pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2025 07:00:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b0603_8076bdcd91894e638f3fcc05bf784e5f~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_959,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>devanw418</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Please don’t leave your oboe in the car]]></title><description><![CDATA[Warmer temperatures and Spring days often mean changes in our schedules as concerts and final performances approach. Maybe there’s a...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/please-don-t-leave-your-oboe-in-the-car</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68a8fb82689a6f23610a98de</guid><pubDate>Fri, 22 Aug 2025 23:27:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_fb6416eb8a294b9eaa28082ee2f0036f~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>agessneroboe</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Youth Orchestra Audition Tips]]></title><description><![CDATA[The month of March kicks off Youth Orchestra Audition season in my studio. I’d say about ¾  of my students who are eligible for a Youth...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/youth-orchestra-audition-tips</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67c7453839157f104fc6009f</guid><pubDate>Fri, 07 Mar 2025 15:00:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/da3e72d80cbc4e09a5b20613ca199302.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>agessneroboe</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Oboe Third Octave notes]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let’s start by defining the range of the third octave on the oboe. I consider C#6 to be the first third octave note, and the highest...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/oboe-third-octave-notes</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6758bba77a9b9ca4383c7d11</guid><pubDate>Thu, 23 Jan 2025 15:00:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b0603_57a83770792e4aa0900295a838c54f3d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_806,h_260,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>agessneroboe</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Oboe 101: Do you dust and polish your keys?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Most oboes have silver-plated keywork, which slowly oxidizes and gathers dust over time. Yes, even if you store your oboe in your case...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/oboe-101-do-you-dust-and-polish-your-keys</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67328a9447771da3c954b5f9</guid><pubDate>Thu, 09 Jan 2025 15:00:22 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>agessneroboe</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Oboe 101: How to clean your swab]]></title><description><![CDATA[Swabs come in all shapes and sizes: big enough for the English horn, small enough for just the top joint, double-ended, single-ended,...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/oboe-101-how-to-clean-your-swab</link><guid isPermaLink="false">673289371f7f856dfe487283</guid><pubDate>Fri, 27 Dec 2024 15:00:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b0603_7e07aec85ff04e3c9171e0f7c7d38d39~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>agessneroboe</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Oboe 101: Help! My pad is sticking closed!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Have you ever experienced pads randomly sticking closed? It’s so annoying - I’ve recently had a handful of students with the same issue:...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/oboe-101-help-my-pad-is-sticking-closed</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6732885ec1a118090eafe14f</guid><pubDate>Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:00:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b0603_6565ea167630427bb43511b7b1b8e8b9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_500,h_500,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>agessneroboe</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[English horn Quick Start ]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you don’t have a private lesson teacher or oboe coach, you might know nothing about English horn! This is a quick-start guide to...]]></description><link>https://www.oboealli.com/post/english-horn-quick-start</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6758ba05c6414ca9ebded882</guid><pubDate>Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:00:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b0603_d86428d78e084b44b57627cddb27f552~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_500,h_668,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>agessneroboe</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>