Greetings, oboists!!

I must know this: What does it feel like playing with a double reed??

I have been wondering this for quite some time now. I have played in bands with oboes only 3 times; I would have asked the oboists in the bands, but they probably would have thought I was crazy, which you're probably thinking right now...

Anyway, please answer my question!!

Yours Truly,
saxophone_sweetie

Hello, I have been playing clarinet since I was in fifth grade, and now I am 46. I have just picked up the oboe, and the difference is that the double reeds are incredibly sensitive. They don't last as long, they are VERY responsive to changes in the embouchure, andy movement, and are incredibly important to pitch as well. I have LOTS of respect for double-reed players!

I tried oboe a while ago and I have to admit, the vibrating reeds feel very "tickley" to me!!

Yeah I know, when you start playing the oboe your mouth goes really numb, but after a while you build up muscles and it feels natural to use a double reed.

Sax and clarinet are a bit like riding your bike with one hand off the handles.

Playing double reeds is like riding it uphill with both hands off :O)

Heh
James

i remember when i first started oboe in 3 and a half years ago my lips got so tired, i couldn't even get a sound out.. now that occasionally happens, but only if i play for a really long period of time. lets say more that 5 hours.

Yeah, at teh beginnin, i woukd sometimes have this really realyl intense tickling feel on my lips and i would just have to stop playing.
I never had a problem blowing into reeds. Fromt he day i picked up and oboe, a noise came out, even if it was a horrible, honking noise.
But, acording to my tutor, the shape of your lips help.
I have a larger bottom lip, and a smaller top lip, and his is supposedly the right kind of lips for an oboe. Dont ask me why.