7/4/26 - Happy 4th! HELP!
Hi all, so I'm back and got a Fox 333 Oboe! Rental. But! I'm having issues with my embouchure. I did a trial run with the music store and the biggest concerns were finger placement, breath support, and leakage issues in the embouchure. After doing a test where I wrapped my who mouth around the reed and blew, we determined everything else is a matter or training and precision and practice.
The embouchure. Unfortunately for me I've have multiple reconstructive surgeries that leave my mouth a little different from others. Bilateral cleft is the kong way of saying it if you know what that means but functionally it means I have a weak upper lip that gets tired fast. But after some rest, the intial tone sounds like a note.
Now if you've read all this, you might be asking why the **** did you decide to learn one of the hardest wind insturemnts when you knowingly had physical limitations? Because I like a challenge and naive or not, I think it is possible to get really good and I would like to have that accomplishment.
So the actual question. What are some embouchure drills I can do to really fix and strengthen my weak small upper lip? I'm also compiling a list of teachers to reach out to so the more recommendations the better! Online or textbook resources or ANYTHING of great merit is very appreciated.
I look forward to this journey of starting all over with music again :D
(The crack dream is to play fluently on Oboe Clarinet and Soprano Sax, even if it takes 30-40 years)
DFW TEXAS BTW