Overview

The reed is possibly the most crucial link in the chain of acoustical elements needed to produce an oboe sound. For the nearly 300 years since the appearance of the French oboe, players have painstakingly evolved this highly individualized skill. But because of their fragile nature, original historical examples of oboe reeds are practically non-existent. David Ledet has produced a unique study of techniques for styling oboe reeds by analyzing in detail 168 examples of reeds by 81 artists from 14 countries. Each reed is strikingly photographed both in reflected light and in silhouette, thus clearly illustrating the relative thickness and shaping of the various sections of the reed. The precise dimensions of each example are compiled in an elaborate table. As background to his reed survey, Ledet discusses the various aspects of tone production (respiration, articulation, embouchure, and acoustics), gives a brief history of the instrument, and offers valuable advice about pedagogical techniques. The artists' reflections on their reedmaking techniques and brief biographical sketches introduce the photographs. Ledet often refers the readers to readily available phonographic recordings that either convey the essence of an oboist's sound or suggest the singularity of a national reed style. Ledet concludes that reed styles can be classified into five major catagories: French, American, Greman, Dutch and Viennese. Ledet has been compiling data for over 30 years and notes when a player's ideas have changed over time. Since some of the artists included are now deceased, ""Oboe Reed Styles"" should be a valuable historical as well as technical record, essential for teachers, performers and students of all ages and abilities.

Full Product Details

Author:   David A. Ledet
Publisher:   Indiana University Press
Imprint:   Indiana University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 14.00cm , Height: 1.30cm , Length: 21.00cm
Weight:   0.295kg
ISBN:  

9780253213921

ISBN 10:   0253213924
Pages:   224
Publication Date:   22 May 2000
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Contents List of Tables Foreword by Richard Killmer Acknowledgments Introduction Part I: Tone Production 1. Respiration The Muscles Involved in Respiration The Mechanics of Respiration Inspiration Expiration The Open Throat The Effect of Correct Respiration and the Open Throat on Timbre, Embouchure, and Reeds How to Teach Correct Respiration 2. Articulation Articulation Related to Timbre 3. The Embouchure The Functions of the Embouchure The Effect of Embouchure on Timbre 4. The Instrument Historical Background The Acoustics of the Oboe Timbre 5. The Acoustics of the Room 6. The Listener Sociological Acceptance of Styles of Playing Part II: Oboe Reeds 7. Reeds of Individual Oboists Australia (Tancibudek, Woolley) Austria (Kamesch, Kautzky, Lardrot, Raab) Czechoslovakia (Duchon, Hantak) Denmark (Wolsing) England (Baker, Brierly, Craxton, Graeme, Jones, Lord, MacDonagh, Newbury, Rothwell, Sutcliffe, Tait, Wickens) Finland (Sipila) France (Bajeux, Bleuzet, Chevalet, Claro) Germany (Eggers, Fischer, Kalmus, Schloevogt, Toettcher) Holland (Houttuin, Pels, Stotijn) Italy (Riedmiller, de Sanctis, Tomassini) New Zealand (Booth) Russia (Anonymous, Petrov) Switzerland (Parolari) United States (Angelucci, Arner, Barthel, Bloom, Bowman, de Busscher, Caldwell, Covington, Dandois, Duvoir, Gassman, Gatwood, Gillet, H. Gomberg, R. Gomberg, Harrison, Kirchner, Krilov, Lifschey, Mack, Mariotti, Memoli, Mueller, Rathbun, Remington, Renzi, Rizzo, Robinson, Roseman, Russell, Schoneberg, Shulman, Sprenkle, Stannard, Still, Tabuteau, Tustin, de Vergie, Weaver, Woodhams) 8. A Delineation of Reed Styles The French-Style Reed The American-Style Reed The English-Style Reed The Dutch-Style Reed The Viennese-Style Reed A Borderline Style (German) 9. Summary and Conclusions Notes Bibliography

Reviews

A major work for teachers and performers alike. -Franck Avril, The Double Reed One of the best technical volumes on international musical life. -Das Musikinstrument ...an extraordinary contribution to the international oboe world, not only as a reference/documentary or reed styles but also as a compilation of important performers and their practices, including the great and influential Marcel tabuteau and Fernand Gillet... [a] fascinating study... -Peggy Grant, Northern Kentucky University, AMERICAN MUSIC TEACHER, Sept. 1, 2009

A major work for teachers and performers alike. Franck Avril, The Double Reed One of the best technical volumes on international musical life. Das Musikinstrument

Author Information

David A. Ledet, Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of Georgia, is co-author of The Art of Oboe Playing.

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