Oboe Reed Styles
Theory and Practice

David A. Ledet (Author)

9780253213921

Paperback / softback, published 22 May 2000

224 pages, 185 b&w illus.
21 x 14 x 1.9 cm, 0.295 kg

". . .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 . . . .Sept. 1, 2009"—Peggy Grant, Northern Kentucky University
"One of the best technical volumes on international musical life."—Das Musikinstrument
"A major work for teachers and performers alike."—Franck Avril, The Double Reed

For nearly 300 years, oboe players have painstakingly evolved the individualized skill of reedmaking. David A. Ledet's unique study of techniques for styling oboe reeds analyzes, in detail, 166 examples of reeds by 80 artists from 14 countries. Each reed is strikingly photographed both in reflected light and in silhouette, clearly illustrating the relative thickness and shaping of the various sections of the reed. Oboists' reflections on their reedmaking techniques and brief biographical sketches introduce the photographs. As background to his survey, Ledet discusses various aspects of tone production, gives a brief history of the instrument, and offers valuable advice about pedagogical techniques. The book also documents musicians such as Robert Bloom, Henri de Busscher, Janet Craxton, Peter Graeme, Harold Gomberg, John Mack, Ronald Roseman, Ray Still, and the celebrated Marcel Tabuteau. Oboe Reed Styles is a historical and technical record, essential for teachers, performers, and students of all ages and abilities.

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 ReedsHow 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, Hanták)
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, Schlövogt, Töttcher)
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