Learn How You Can Sing Better By Using Techniques That Expand Your Vocal Range

Are you frustrated about having a limited vocal range? You can't seem to find that voice that you want so badly. You see other performers out there just throwing out high notes and perfect pitch with ease.

Well, the good news is, you can expand your vocal range by using a few proven techniques. You can easily learn to sing high and with confidence!

One important but overlooked tip is Identify Your Natural Range! That's right, if you want to expand your vocal range, you first need to know where you're starting from. You may already know that the common vocal ranges are soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass. These range from highest to lowest respectively, and most females belong in the first three, while most men fall under the bottom three.

By identifying your natural range, you can more easily decide which range you can expand into, and which range you should stay out of.

Other methods include, developing a mixed voice, performing regular vocal exercises, and much more.
There's a lot to learn, but it can easily be done and in a SHORT time as long as you have the right guidance. It all goes towards bring a pitch perfect voice that will blow away audiences.

If you're not into attending regular coaching sessions or classes a very fast and effective approach to learning good tips is to use online resource, or singing kit can show a lot when it comes to techniques and ways to practice. Bare in mind not all singing courses are made equal. A good suggestion is to use one developed by vocal coach who is well known and has a good track record.

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Hymn Improvising Piano Lesson - Part One

I was in fifth grade when I received my first improvising lesson from the hymnal. The hymn I improvised was "At Calvary". It took me at least two months to master this improvised style in a flowing rhythm. "At Calvary" was not the best hymn to try first since this particular hymn contains a more complex rhythm.

Here are the first two improvising steps I learned to create a fuller sound in hymnplaying.

First, open a hymnal to the hymn "Like a River Glorious". I chose this hymn because it is in an easy key and contains a simple rhythm.

Let me preface this lesson with the following clarification: The hymnal is written for voice parts only, not for an instrument. Therefore, the pianist must adapt by adding notes to create a fuller sound giving more support to the singers.

The soprano is the top note on the treble staff. The alto is under the soprano. The tenor note is the top note on the bass staff and the bass note is under the tenor.

Step one: add the tenor note to the right hand when feasible. The right thumb plays the tenor note.

You should be playing a total of three notes in the right hand.

Exception: Sometimes the tenor note fits better between the alto and soprano note. This occurs when the alto and soprano have a greater distance between them; allowing space for the tenor note to fit comfortably between them.

It is best to practice the right hand alone (with the added tenor note) until a steady flow can be maintained.

Expect to feel disoriented at first by adding the tenor note to the right hand without it being written that way.

Step two: Double the bass note in the left hand. Place your left thumb on the written bass note and duplicate the same note an octave lower.

Doubling the bass note is basically playing in octaves. This second step adds a deep, rich sound to the hymn!

Be prepared to slow down when adding the left hand to the right hand. Keep in mind, it may take a while to master this style. Be patient with yourself. Once you play one hymn this way, you can apply the same two step process to other hymns.

Choose hymns in easy keys with simple rhythms at first. Once you have gained confidence, move on to hymns with more complex rhythms.

This two step improvising method will allow the pianist to sound full enough to support congregational singing.

Over time, more improvising skills can be obtained; adding even more life and fullness to hymn playing!

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The Great Musician - Mozart

Mozart is the well-know musician worldwide for his great works and also for his talent in music that he born with. He is the shining star in the history of music and will be always remembered for his contribution the music.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756 and died in 1791. Salzburg and Vienna, where Mozart lived and died, spent the whole year of his bicentennial year in his memory, with recitals, concerts, operas, and expositions. Like Shakespeare, Mozart stands at the top of human achievement. One remembers Shakespeare and Mozart as one remembers beautiful poetry and beautiful music.

Mozart started playing the piano at four, composing music at five, touring the courts of Europe at seven. At this point, to the delight of the world, the gifted child grew into genius. Overnight, Mozart conquered Vienna and the world of music.

Then he fell from favor and was in poverty. When the world heard of this and offered help, the help was no longer needed.

Mozart's music has been everlasting. Patients spending their last moments on earth like Mozart. Mothers in child-birth listen to Mozart's piano concerto in C major (K 476). Students enjoy Mozart's serenades as studying (German). In Vienna, wherever you are, there is Mozart being played and listened to in rapt attention. There are Mozart biographies nearly in every language.

Some people are mad about every detail in Mozart's life. At 21, he wrote that "if I have to marry all the girls I have had an evening with, I had have 200 wives". Actually, he fell deeply in love only once with the talented soprano Alyusha Weber. When Alyusha turned him down, Mozart married her younger sister, Constance. They settled down to a quiet life in Vienna, with Mozart reserving some of his moments for rising singers and pretty students. The music he wrote passing heart throbs is among the sweetest he ever composed.

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Tips To Expand Your Vocal Range

When you are learning to sing and have been practicing for a while now, you possibly are searching for info on the way to develop your vocal range. All singers know that success comes with expanding and growing their singing array. It's essential for a vocalist to hit the higher notes effortlessly.

Here are a few of the basics know how on how you can grow you vocal array:

Vary Your Voice - Or simply put, Vocal Assortment - Discover your personal vocal assortment. Find you most comfortable vocal range and practice it that range without straining your voice. You should know your voice's capability and determine the normal position so that you can increase it.

To uncover your latest assortment begin with the middle C note and step down on the scale by half-notes until your voice is no longer comfy and it is possible to no longer produce a crisp and clear note/tone.

Do the exact same exercise for your higher vocal range. Whenever you stop you are going to instantly know where you will need to start expanding your vary. Ranges consist of soprano, alto, tenor, bass.

Do not Strain Yourself - Don't strain your voice by pushing as well far, as well quick. It's achievable to raise or decrease 1 to two steps more than a number of months with dedicated practice.

Nevertheless, you may put your vocal chords at risk should you attempt to increase your vary to an octave in two months!

Just like athletes practice to strengthen their muscles, as a vocalist, you are going to also perform more than a period of time to slowly assemble

Vocal Strength - This is also known as conditioning your voice. It offers your voice power and wonderful flexibility.

Warm Up Vocals - Again, like athletes, a vocalist need to warm up vocal muscle groups to stop damage. Warm ups will stretch the vocal muscle tissue and prepare them for singing. This is very essential for anybody hoping to increase their vocal variety.

Observe Yourself - Working in front of a mirror is really a great method to raise your vocal variety. Being able to watch your self sing provides instant feedback on posture and jaw position.

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We Sing - Simple Ways to Hit the Right Notes

We all love to sing. There is no doubt that it remains one of the cheapest, yet most effective ways to get rid of stress, express our emotions, and achieve a full-body natural high. While not all of us may want to pursue a professional career in singing, I believe that all of us do want to hit the right notes when we sing. Getting it right, in truth, is not all that difficult. You only need to remember a few simple techniques that will make you avoid sounding tone deaf to the people who are within hearing range when you decide to belt out your favorite song.

Breathe right. Singing definitely has a lot to do with proper breathing as a person's ability to hit and sustain the right note depends on the right breathing technique. The thing to remember here is that when you inhale, it is not your chest that should rise but your diaphragm that will expand. You can put the palm of your hand against the area below your lowest rib to check if you are doing it right. Next, when you begin to sing, don't push out all the air you inhaled at once. Just exhale slowly and properly according to your normal pace.

Enunciate. There's nothing worse than listening to someone sing and not understand a word that is coming out of that person's mouth. Singing well also means being understood so make sure that you enunciate clearly and pronounce your vowels correctly. Once you've got this technique down pat, you instantly become more pleasing to listen to--an accomplishment I'm sure we all want to achieve when we sing.

Stand Upright. This tip is connected to the first one about proper breathing technique. Having the right posture ensures your body's optimal capability to channel oxygen from the lungs at a controlled pace. When you have a clear lane for oxygen to be dispensed, you can make sure that a consistent and clear sound will emanate from your vocal chords.

Know Your Limits. This is perhaps the simplest technique you can master in no time. Not everybody has the voice of Celine Dion or can hit a falsetto as high as Mariah Carey. In the same way that not all of us have a clean low register like Luciano Pavarotti. As a singer, you need to know your vocal range so you can sing the songs that are fit for the extent that your voice can reach. Further, once you are conscious of the limits of your singing voice, you can make the necessary adjustments in pitch when singing songs instead of trying to hit the original notes and failing. A contralto will never be able to hit a coloratura soprano note, just as a countertenor can't hit the low notes the way a bass tessitura can.

These tips, when done properly, should be enough to make you sound better than most. If, however, you decide that singing is the right path for you career-wise, it would be best to get a professional vocal coach or more advanced tips that are available everywhere, including the Internet. But for the majority of us who just like to sing, proper breathing, posture, enunciation, and admitting our limitations may just be enough to get us an appreciative applause when we sing.

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Mindi Abair "It Just Happens That Way" Smooth Jazz CD Review

Richly talented Smooth Jazz artist Mindi Abair has released her CD entitled It Just Happens That Way and Wow! It's really a good one.

It Just Happens That Way launches with a great track, Lucy's that I anticipate will be heard on radio stations everywhere, and deservedly so. It really is a very nice track.

This entire CD has a nicely varied, mix of 12 tracks that are very nicely constructed songs by this clearly superb artist.

Listen to this CD and I believe you'll find there's not much to dis-like about it. The songs are inspired, the production is simply outstanding, and Mindi Abair's Sax work is superb. If you're even mildly into Smooth Jazz music you'll enjoy this album.

While this entire album is outstanding the truly standout tracks are Flirt [track 2], Save The Last Dance [track 3], Right On [track 6].

My SmoothLee Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 2, Flirt. Great track!

It Just Happens That Way Release Notes:

Mindi Abair originally released It Just Happens That Way on February 25, 2003 on the GRP Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Lucy's

2. Flirt

3. Save The Last Dance

4. As Good As It Gets

5. Save Tonight

6. Right On

7. It Just Happens That Way

8. Salt And Lime

9. Momo

10. Play

11. Remember

12. Home

Personnel Include: Mindi Abair (vocals, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, keyboards); John Taylor (vocals, bass); Lee Thornburg (trumpet, trombone); Ricky Peterson (piano, Wurlitzer piano, Fender Rhodes piano, organ); Greg Manning (Fender Rhodes piano, organ); Matthew Hager (keyboards, guitar, bass, programming); Ty Stevens (acoustic & electric guitars, percussion); Mike Landau (electric guitar); Jeff Golub, Dwight Sills, Marc Antoine (guitar); Dave Carpenter (upright bass); Stan Sargeant (fretless bass); Steve Ferrone (drums); Bud Harner (cymbals); Lenny Castro (percussion). Producers: Matthew Hager, Bud Harner, Ty Stevens. Recorded at Castle Oaks, Calabasas, California and 76 Steps Studios, Hollywood, California in August 2002.

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How To Mike Acoustic Instruments

Traditional Guitar

The majority of traditional acoustic guitars utilized by electro-acoustic bands have built-in pick-ups, so they can go through the PA via a backline amp, or direct, normally via a DI box. But you might be utilizing your acoustic for just one or two numbers, then changing returning to electric, therefore it is barely worth having a pick-up fitted - in this case stick an instrument or general purpose mike (should you have one - the majority of vocal mikes will deal if you haven't), on a boom stand and point it towards the body end of the guitar's neck from about six inches away. Take care not to point the mike immediately at the sound hole as this may result in feedback issues. Just about any feedback that does occur will be within the low/mid frequencies, so be prepared for it. You can test out mike position until you've got the type of sound you desire, bear in mind that, the further towards the headstock you put the mike the greater finger-on-string noise you're likely to find. And excessive movement by the guitar player will not do a large amount of good for the consistency of the overall sound.

Double Bass

If you need to mike up a double bass (quite a few nowadays already are fitted with pick-ups), you need the mike as close as it can be, and don't point it at the F holes, just under the bridge yields the best results, except for a bright sound you are able to point the mike at the body end of the fingerboard. Any feedback that does occur will be within the lower frequencies, not surprisingly.

Violin

Fiddles have a tendency to be best dealt with by fitting some kind of pick-up (you will find plenty around, varying from affordable to high-priced condenser mike-based models, or even a tie-clip type mike - if you are opting for the latter, attempt to get a cardiod one, or perhaps be ready for feedback fighting. An omni-directional mike constantly seems superior, nevertheless, you really do need to compromise plenty of volume.

Piano

Pianos are never the simplest of instruments to mike up to attain a good sound over the full range. One of the ways is to use a boom stand and position the mike over the strings somewhere between middle C and also the top end, with the front panel taken off on an upright, and, obviously, the lid open on a grand. If you an abundance of mikes (as well as mixer channels), then use two of them, one near the bass end, one at the top, especially when the piano is one of your lead instruments. On a grand piano, position one mike halfway down the inside (beneath the lid), and the other beneath the piano in the centre - seems like a strange idea, but it works.

Brass

Stick a mike on a straight or boom stand and treat your blowist like you would your vocalist. With seriously powerful brass you have to make sure your mike is capable of handling fairly high sound pressure levels. Most mike manufacturers make a range of fitments for brass to go with the mikes they recommend for these instruments. For the really active player, add a wireless transmitter (and receiver, of course).With powerful, high -end brass instruments like soprano saxes, keep the players well away from the mike or they'll drown everyone else as well as overloading the PA in a very nasty fashion indeedy.

Woodwind

You're unlikely to come across many of these other than the flute. A decent vocal or general purpose mike will do the job very adequately, but look out for high end feedback.

Ukulele Tab: Learn To Play Happy Birthday To You

An ukulele can be used to play chords when you sing but you can also play melodies. It's fun and quite easy to learn melodies on your uke with ukulele tab. Let's learn to play Happy Birthday To You!

As many people know "Happy Birthday to You" is a song which is sung to celebrate a person's birth. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, "Happy Birthday to You" is the most popular song in the English language.

Here is the most common lyrics. "Peter" is to be replaced by the name of the celebrating person.

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday dear "Peter",

Happy birthday to you.

I use my own form of ukulele tab for articles like this to be sure that the tabs are readable on article sites. The more common ukulele tab staff notation can be found on my site with ukulele tabs and free sheet music.

The string with the highest pitch is usually an A and is called the first string. The first string is the string nearest your feet when you play your uke.

The first notes in the song are on the third string.

The first number indicates the fret. The second number after the slash tells you which string to play. Here is the first line of lyrics and the ukulele tab:

Happy birthday to you,

0/3 0/3 2/3 0/3 1/2 0/2

0/3 indicates that you play the third string with your right hand thumb for example without pressing down any left hand finger. It is called to play on the open third string.

This type of ukulele tab doesn't indicate the length of the notes. I guess you hear that the first two notes are short and the last note long.

Let's play the next line:

Happy birthday to you,

0/3 0/3 2/3 0/3 3/2 1/2

3/2 means that you press down a left hand finger on the third fret of the second string. I haven't told you anything about which left hand finger to press down on the frets on your ukulele.

You can use your first finger for all the notes but a more professional approach is to play the notes on the first fret with your first finger, the notes on the second fret with your long finger and the notes on your third fret with your ring finger.

Maybe it's difficult at first but with practice it will be easier for you to find the right notes. You don't even have to look at your fingers to find the right fret if you get accustomed to this way of playing.

The next line comes now:

Happy birthday dear "Peter",

0/3 0/3 3/1 0/1 1/2 0/2 2/3

You know what the ukulele tab above tells you by now.

The last line comes here:

Happy birthday to you.

1/1 1/1 0/1 1/2 3/2 1/2

Now you can play Happy Birthday To You on your ukulele and you are prepared for the next birthday party!

Actually you can play this melody with the use of the above ukulele tab notation on a guitar also. The first three strings are tuned the same way but not in the same pitch.

The ukulele tab notation I have used is good for finding the notes but I recommend you to learn the melody by heart so you can play it anytime and anywhere!

Kanilea Ukuleles

The word Kanilea means "joyful sound" and this manufacturer hand creates ukuleles, their builders working under the supervision of Master Luthier Joseph Souza. The company is based in Kaneohe, Hawaii and manufactures both standard-grade instruments and professional-level instruments suitable for performance use.

Kanilea Ukuleles are made with lumber that is air dried, a traditional way of allowing the wood to season and which brings out the tonal characteristics of the woods used in the instruments. The company offers several different options in woods, including Sitka, Spruce, Walnut, Maple, Myrtle, Mango, Rosewood, Purple Heart and Cocobolo. The standard wood used in ukuleles is koa.

Every wood component used in Kanilea Ukuleles is cut, fitted and set in place by the craftspeople at the company's shop. Each piece of wood used in the manufacture is individually hand-selected to ensure the best tone and aesthetic results for the instrument.

These instruments feature a variety of design elements. A "slanted" headstock is available, for example, which has the characteristic cut and shape of the headstocks normally seen on electric instruments. The stringing options for the instruments are flexible, as well. Any instrument manufactured by Kanilea Ukuleles can be fitted with a "G" string in the fourth course. This allows more depth in the sound as this course is tuned an octave lower than standard. The effect is particularly noticeable on open-chords, when the instrument is allowed to ring out to its full resonance and body.

The 6- and 8-string variations of this manufacturer's instruments feature carbon fiber rods embedded within the neck. This offers both increased strength and improved tone for the instrument. These ukuleles can be manufactured as multiple string variations with the exception of the company's Baritone and Soprano Ukuleles. Prices for these instruments range from entry-level to professional grade.

The Joy of Ukuleles

In 2003, Bill Robertson released a wonderful documentary entitled Rock That Uke, a tribute to the ukulele and its unique sound, and the mystique that surrounds not only its musical qualities but its size and shape. Bill Robertson explained that much of the enjoyment uke players have is in the simple act of holding the instrument.

As he points out in the film, a ukulele "[is] about the size of a human infant". And just like an infant, a ukulele is held close to the chest, near the heart, as if you were cradling a baby.... which probably seems a little sappy. You have this small, wonderful instrument that you're shielding from harm which in turn gives you a real sense of purpose.

But what most people remember is that distinctive sound. Pleasant, innocuous, unrelentingly cheerful. It always has that same sound, no matter who may be playing it - such as Taylor Mac, who recently performed with a ukulele at the Dallas Undermain Theatre. As Taylor Mac pointed out, the sound of a ukulele takes us back to a time in our youth when "nothing is our fault". Such memories can only leave you feeling happy.

Not only that, but the ukulele's four strings have a high end but no opposing low end, as my ukulele guru Bill Robertson is quick to mention. So what you end up with is that distinctive "plink quality," as Robertson describes it. As your playing, all of the sound is in the upper range, so you don't have that "bass sort of support that a guitar has, that robust sound." With a ukulele, you have only the high sounds, which create a "very childlike quality that conveys a certain innocence."

Fans of the ukulele will cite other reasons for its popularity, most notably it's low cost, easy portability and a simplicity of style that almost anyone can learn to play. For those just starting out, a soprano ukulele will run about $30 to $40. For more advanced players looking for a custom instrument or collectors who enjoy an instrument made with finer woods or with inlays, the cost can run into the thousands of dollars.

If you are just a beginner, never fear, this is an easy instrument to learn how to play, as any die hard uke player will tell you. Master Uke player Levine of the Dallas Ukulele Headquarters insists that he can "teach anyone to play the ukulele in about 15 minutes". In fact, each class begins with a 15-minute session on how to play.

Taylor Mac believes that these distinctive characteristics give the ukulele that certain air that you don't find with any other musical instruments.

Mac feels that the connection is there "because of the humanity of the instrument". This is an instrument that almost anyone can pick up and "learn how to play three chords in about an hour, and play a song". As Mac explains, the ukulele has the unique ability to "bring joy, because people see the possibility that 'if you can do it, I can do it, too".

Hire a Steel Band For Your Next Event

Whether you are planning a birthday party, corporate function, or an outdoor festival, you know the most important objective is for everyone attending to enjoy themselves. You could hire a fabulous caterer to provide delicious finger foods or a sit-down dinner, and decorate according to your party's theme, yet all the aesthetics won't provide the level entertainment that only a live band can bring. Why not consider a tropical theme for your affair, complete with an authentic steel band?

What is a Steel Band?

True to the name, a steel band is a group comprised primarily of musicians specializing in steel pans, or steel drums. Perhaps you have seen television shows or movies set in the Caribbean that have featured such groups - you might see three or four people using "pansticks" to tap beats in different concave drums. While the instruments appear to look the same, steelpans - as the drums are also called - are constructed and tuned to bring out unique sounds. The tones of various steelpans can resemble soprano, bass, alto, tenor, and baritone pitches, and when played in harmony create a pleasing, joyful melody.

Steelpan bands can consist of anywhere from three or four "pannists," or musicians using stands to support the drums, or many more using portable drums with straps for the neck, to march in parades. Depending on the band, songs will vary from island and reggae standards and calypso songs, to steelpan interpretations of works by contemporary musicians. Songs by Jimmy Buffett and Bob Marley, for two, are often covered by pannists.

Why Hire a Steel Band?

The addition of a Caribbean style band to your private function or public event adds an air of festivity guaranteed to attract music lovers. The lively melodies coupled with bright decor encourage hours of dancing and make for happy memories your guests will share long after the party is over.

Don't think, too, that because such bands are primarily rooted in the Caribbean that it will be difficult to find one where you live. Do an Internet search, and you'll discover that it is as easy to hire a steel band in Washington, DC as it is to find one in Miami or Key West. Resource websites for wedding and event planning in particular are good places to research information on steelpan groups, and look out for band websites that provide music downloads to give you an idea of what to expect.

Nothing gets a party going like the bouncy, energetic rhythms of a steel band. Hire a group for your next function and create memories to keep you dancing.

How to Buy a Saxophone

When getting a saxophone, first you should decide the type you want. You should pick between Alto and Tenor. The soprano and baritone saxophone aren't as common or necessary for most settings. In a school band there will most likely be a Baritone saxophone that you can borrow or rent from the school. The good news is that ALL saxophones play the same! If you learn one, you can play them all. Each saxophone requires some small adjustments in the way you blow and how much air you put in, put they are basically the same.

If you are just starting out, I'd probably rent an instrument from a music store. Renting insures that the instrument is in good mechanical shape and will actually work for you. You can also return the instrument if you decide that you don't like it. Another option is to borrow one from a neighbor, or friend. You'd be surprised at how many instruments are taking up space in someone's basement!

If you do borrow one, you'll definitely want to take it to a repair shop and get it fixed up. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to play a broken, leaky saxophone. Another option is to find a used one in the newspaper or a pawn shop. Be careful when getting a used one from these people; there is a good chance it is not in good mechanical shape.

First check to see if there are any dents in the body or the neck. Dents in the neck are the most serious dents than effect the playing. Second, check the condition of the leather pads on the instrument. The best way to check the pads is to take it to a shop and have the repair tech. check for leaks. Pads can be replaced, and dents removed. Major dents in the neck can also be fixed but the instrument might not play as well.

A repair shop can also give you the value of the instrument you are looking at, to see if the asking price is too high. Another option is eBay. I tend to steer clear of eBay instruments unless there is some sort of return policy on it. If you do buy an eBay sax, have it checked out as soon as you get it!

There are many brands of saxophones available and many different price ranges. To start, you'll want to get a beginning sax. Some good brands that have stood the test of time are: Yamaha, Selmer, Bundy, Artley, Jupiter, Yanagisawa, Keilwerth, Vito, and Leblanc. There are many others out there but these are the main players. I really like the Yamaha saxophones. They are reasonably priced, and play really well. You can expect to pay around $500.00 for a really good used sax. But good deals are always out there! Try to steer away from brands that are not really well known. They may break easily, may not play well in tune and a variety of other problems. If you have one and think it's a good deal, go to the repair shop and ask the technician if they can repair that particular brand. Sometimes a repair shop will not fix certain brands because they can't get the parts or they break easily! Buyer Beware!

A First Look at the Oboe

If you are just learning about the oboe, you are about to learn that there is a lot to
learn!

While this article is by no means an exhaustive look at the oboe, we'll try to cover
the basic stuff to give you a better idea of this beautiful instrument.

The oboe is a double reed (which means that two pieces of wood vibrate together to
make the sound) instrument that is directly descended from the 16th century
shawm. While the shawm might be considered the great grandfather of the oboe, its
sound (which was LOUD and annoying) changed quite a bit before it became the
modern day oboe.

Oboes are usually made of grenadilla wood, but sometimes, in an effort to produce
slightly different tone colors, other woods are used. The oboe has sterling silver
keys and is made up of three "joints:"

a lower joint
an upper joint
and a slightly flared bell

The sound is produced by using a reed made of two blades of cane which vibrate
together.

Pitched in "C," the oboe's pitch range starts at the Bb below middle C on the piano
and ends roughly 2 ½ octaves above that, around a G. For the adventurer, higher
notes are possible though less comfortable and less frequently called for in music
written for the oboe.

The oboe has a narrow conical bore, making its timbre focused and penetrating. The
French word for oboe, "hautbois." Hautbois literally translates to "high-," "strong-,"
"loud-," or "principal-wood," depending on its various spellings. Some people say
that the oboe sounds a bit like a duck. Track down a recording of Prokofiev's Peter
and the Wolf for a great example of this.

The oboe is often played in groups of two or three in orchestras and bands, and is
used in many combinations for chamber music. It is primarily a melody instrument
and, because of its lyrical and mournful timbre, is often used for very emotional
sections of music.

Good examples include:

Stravinsky - Symphony in C
Barber - Summer Music
Gabriel's Oboe

One of the oboe's most important jobs is that of "tuner" in an orchestra. Listen
carefully to the beginning of any orchestra concert with oboes in it and you will hear
the oboe player play a tuning "A" from which the entire orchestra takes their pitch.

There are actually 4 different instruments within the oboe family, which cover the
soprano, alto, tenor, and bass ranges. The oboe itself is the most soprano of its
direct family. The second most common instrument in the oboe family is its tenor
version, the English horn.

The English horn, or "Cor Anglais," is pitched a 5th below the oboe, in "F," and is
fingered almost exactly like its smaller sibling. The range of the English horn begins
at a written B below middle C and goes up to about concert "C." Like the oboe, it
consists of an upper and lower joint, but it has a bulbous bell at the lower end
which makes it look quite different. English horn players also use a bocal, onto
which the reed is attached.

The sound of the English horn is similar in quality to the oboe, but because it is
larger and lower, its timbre is a bit more mysterious and sorrowful. The English
horn is often used in the band and orchestra, though less often in chamber music. It
is quite common for the 2nd oboist of an ensemble to have to "double" on English
horn, having to switch back and forth from the oboe as his/her part dictates.

Famous English horn solos include:

Rossini - William Tell Overture
Dvorak - New World Symphony

The oboe's alto family member is the oboe d'amore, which means "oboe of love."
This instrument looks like a small version of the English horn, with the same
bulbous shaped bell and curved bocal. It sounds a minor 3rd lower than the oboe, is
pitched in concert "A," and again fingered almost exactly like the oboe.

The oboe d'amore's sound is truly distinctive, being reminiscent of its soprano and
tenor relatives, but more muted and sweet. It is often used in pairs and most
frequently in Baroque music, especially that of J.S. Bach. Check out the beautiful
solos and duets for oboes d'amore in the following Bach pieces:

B Minor Mass
Christmas Cantatas
Concerto for Oboe D'amore

The oboe d'amore does not often appear in ensemble pieces after the Baroque era,
though one of its most famous orchestra solos was written by Ravel, in Bolero.

The oboe's bass family member is the Bass oboe, which is the most obscure of the
oboe family members. The bass oboe is pitched in "C," like the oboe, but sounds an
octave lower than its written pitches. It looks like a very large English horn, and is
played with the same fingerings, but its bocal is more drastically curved.

The popularity of the bass oboe was brief and is rarely used today. One of the few
orchestral pieces which employs the bass oboe is Holst's The Planets. Its murky and
atmospheric timbre is well suited to a piece about outer space.

The oboe and its relatives all use a double reed, but the reed is different for each
instrument. Basically, the bigger and lower the instrument, the bigger the reed is.
The oboe's reed is the only reed with an attached cork, the others being on metal
tubes which slip directly onto a bocal. From its soprano to bass ranges, the oboe
family covers a wide spectrum of tones colors, though remains lyrical and poignant
in all its versions.

The oboe is a beautiful instrument to play although it can take quite some time to
master. Even producing a sound can be quite a challenge for a beginner.