Brenda Schuman-Post

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Performances and Lectures: Oboes Of The World · Mpingo's Fruit · Oboe Plus · Classical Trash · Solar Systers · How To Play & Teach The Oboe

How to Play
and Teach
the Oboe

 

Lesson One

It is often said that the first lesson is the most important one.  In this introductory lecture-performance, Brenda addresses the salient topics for the beginning oboist including:

  • Selecting an oboe
  • Reeds
  • Embouchure
  • Tone Production
  • Hand Position and Fingerings
  • Instrument Care

This "lesson" is intended for beginners, parents, band and orchestra directors who do not play oboe, doublers and anyone else who may be curious about this instrument that isn't as difficult to play as you may have been led to believe.

Handout materials are provided, and Brenda discusses the idea of incorporating the oboe into jazz band!

  

Also known as "Demystifying The Oboe," this class makes playing the oboe accessible to everyone.  It covers basic reed maintenance, how to hold the oboe and how to blow through it properly.  This class can be especially directed towards band and orchestra directors, music teachers, music teachers in training, music students, performing musicians, wind playing doublers, absolute beginners, parents of oboists, and anyone who may be curious.  Brenda makes suggestions regarding playing and including oboe in jazz bands, and provides hand out materials about reeds.  If you are a school band or orchestra director with oboes that you are unsure about, Brenda will play them and offer an opinion.

Study Oboe with Brenda!

Brenda maintains private studios in San Francisco and San Rafael, California. She teaches all levels - absolute beginners to highly advanced players. Brenda also presents master classes worldwide.

Other "how to"
Lecture-Performance
Topics Extended Techniques

A class for all oboists - beginner to advanced, and for composers.  This is a survey of extended techniques including flutter and double tonguing, circular breathing, multiphonics, bent and micro-tonal pitch, glissandi and more.  Particular emphasis is placed on one valuable skill - usually double tonguing.  Bring your oboes and expect to play!  This class can be combined with Improvisation for Classical Musicians, in which case it is called Extended Techniques and Improvisation.

Improvisation for
Classical Musicians

How to begin! And no, you do not have to be an oboist.