A man without a country

Alrighty. Another update.

OboeNews: Things are going well, for the most part. Dr. King & I are working on getting me to have a more covered sound - I'm basically relearning how to form my embouchure. Long story short, since the Fossati oboe was so out of tune, I've been compensating and not really playing to my full extent. I didn't really see how limiting it's been until I've started playing the Howarth. I've been not blowing enough and biting for my high notes. Eek. These are all the things I tell younger players to NOT do!! So, it's interesting and very frustrating at the same time. I'm also re-doing a lot of my reedmaking - trying different gouges and shapers. Yikes. However, I guess this is to be expected.

Musically, it's going well. I've got some good, challenging things I'm working on, including standard rep, quintet rep, and orchestral. I'm also cleaning up my technique (read: doing technique boot camp) with the Hite and Singer books. I didn't realize how un-refined my playing had/has gotten!! I think I'll be much more organized and a little less confused once I get things straightened out. New teacher, new methods, etc. THANK GOD we're not doing Ferling or Barret. I don't think I could handle that.

So, some observations about the Howarth: 1.) I almost wish this oboe had the lightness and responsiveness of the Fossati's key mechanism - I feel like this one is a bit stodgy at times, however, this could be due to the fact that it's still new. But, I feel like I have to work harder with this one. AND. OMG. I'm having a hell of a time w/ my 1/2 hole stuff - I feel like a middle-schooler! I really miss the raised tab on the 1/2 hole key that the Fossati has - it really helped me know where things were. However, the Fossati has a really loud (in my opinion) mechanism, where the Howarth is silkily smoothly quiet. I'm also stoked that I have the high-D facilitator! The 3rd octave notes, though, are also feeling a bit resistant, whereas on the Fossati, they just popped right out when I needed them to. But, again, this may be a newness issue.

SocialNews: Things are okay. I'm not really sure how to talk about this, even in typing, where I have time to sort it all out. I hate the fact that I feel more comfortable in my musical life than I do in my social life. But, perhaps this is a product of being a grad student...So, to not get too depressing - the gays are alluding me. I really need some gay friends to hang with on a regular basis. I still feel like a man w/ out a country in that respect. However, Adam, if you read this, know that you'll never be replaced!

That's it for now. I should be working on my musicology paper, but when I don't have the library @ my immediate disposal, it's hard to get anything done, beyond just internet research. I think this will all come together this week (hopefully). More on this later.