Fetterman

MUS_210
Dr. Heim

Context: A first oboe lesson for upper elementary students.

Essential Question: How can we change the embouchure to improve our playing throughout the
range of the instrument?

1. Learning Outcomes:
1.1. Students will identify the different pieces of the oboe.
1.2. Students will safely assemble the oboe.
1.3. Students will create varying sounds in the oboe reed.
1.4. Students will safely disassemble the oboe.
2. Materials:
2.1. Oboe case
2.2. Upper Joint
2.3. Lower Joint
2.4. Bell
2.5. Reed
2.6. Staple
2.7. Cork Grease
2.8. Cup of Water
2.9. Mouthpiece
3. Procedure:
3.1. Assembly
(Note: The teacher will do this process alongside the students. Terms that are
bolded are the pieces that the students will either hold up in the air or point to for
assessment 5.1)
3.1.1. Set the oboe case either on the floor or on a table, and NOT a lap. Make
sure the flute case is set down so the brand name is face up.
3.1.2. Open the case and identify the lower joint.
 3.1.3. Identify the cork grease.
3.1.4. Apply cork grease to the cork at the bottom of the lower joint and spread
it around.
3.1.5. Identify the bell and attach it to the bottom of the lower joint by slightly
pushing it until it is all the way in.
3.1.6. Identify the upper joint.
3.1.7. Apply cork grease to the cork at the bottom of the upper joint and spread
it around.
3.1.8. Attach the upper joint to the rest of the instrument by inserting the bottom
end into the upper end of the lower joint and make sure the keys align.
3.1.9. Identify the mouthpiece.
3.1.10. Identify the reed and the staple.
3.1.11. and dip the reed in the cup of water for a few seconds, making sure to not
get the thread or the cork submerged.
3.1.12. Apply cork grease to the cork part of the mouthpiece and spread it around.
3.1.13. Push the staple side of the mouth piece into the upper side of the upper
joint. It should not go all the way in.
3.2. Production of Sound
3.2.1. Gently take out the mouthpiece
3.2.2. Re-wet it if needed.
3.2.3. Roll the bottom lip over the bottom teeth.
3.2.4. Put the top lip under the top teeth (just so the teeth aren’t touching the
reed).
3.2.5. Place the reed about midway onto the bottom lip.
3.2.6. Close the mouth and focus the corners of the mouth inward. Saying the
words “oboe” or “home” can give a sense of how close the corners of the
mouth should be.
3.2.7. Blow into the mouthpiece with this embouchure to produce a sound.
3.2.8. Experiment with fluctuating the pitch of the mouthpiece:
3.2.8.1. Increase or decrease lip tension.
3.2.8.2. Put more or less reed in the mouth.
 3.2.8.3. Use a faster or slower air stream.
3.2.8.4. Use different vowels: EE or OH
3.3. Disassembly
3.3.1. Gently place the mouthpiece back into the mouthpiece case.
3.3.2. Place the mouthpiece case back into the instrument case.
3.3.3. Take off the upper joint by gently pulling it. Be sure to not put too much
pressure on the keys.
3.3.4. Place the upper joint back in its place in the case.
3.3.5. Take off the bell by gently pulling it.
3.3.6. Place the bell back in its place in the case.
3.3.7. Place the lower joint back in its place in the case.
3.3.8. Make sure all of the components are in the case.
3.3.9. Close the case, and make sure it is latched correctly and securely before
picking it up.
4. Further Learning: Play first finger B, first two fingers A, and first three fingers G.
5. Assessments:
5.1. Teacher will visually assess students’ identification of the different pieces of the
oboe based on what piece they point to or hold up.
5.2. Teacher will visually assess students’ assembly of the oboe based on if the oboe is
assembled correctly or not.
5.3. Teacher will aurally assess students’ performance of a note with correct
embouchure based on if it sounds correct.
5.4. Teacher will visually assess students’ disassembly of the oboe based on if they
place the pieces in the correct designated spots in the case.
6. Honor Code:
6.1. I affirm that I have upheld the highest principles of honesty and integrity and I
have not witnessed a violation of the Honor Code. -Sally Fetterman