A.Dip (Vancouver Academy of Music)
B.Mus (University of British Columbia)
Diploma in Music (Kwantlen)
Elizabeth Brown is an oboist, flautist and gardener. Born and raised in Powell River, British Columbia, she holds a Bachelor of Music from UBC and an Artist Diploma from the Vancouver Academy of Music. She seeks out exciting music to play wherever and whenever she can.
Elizabeth enjoys teaching because of the fresh perspective students often bring to her own playing. She feels that learning music should be an enjoyable and enriching experience led by the student’s own goals and dreams.
Get to know Beth…Beyond the Bio!
Hobbies: Sailing, gardening, skiing, canoeing
Musical influences: The Ocean, Beth Orson, Albrecht Mayer, Bjork
Favourite food: sweet & sour meatballs
Least favourite food: Brussel sprouts. ew.
Favourite music: currently K.Flay
Favourite song: Possibly Maybe – Bjork
Favourite movie: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring
Favourite movie music: Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance
Favourite musical theatre/opera: The Threepenny Opera – Kurt Weill
Best quote from your teacher: “What makes me happy as an oboist is not necessarily what will make you happy.”
Favourite quote:
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
? Frank Herbert, Dune
Favourite book: Dreams underfoot – Charles de Lint
Latest Homework from Beth
Is Beth Your Teacher?
Sign up now to get your weekly assignments delivered, and never lose your homework sheet again!
July 14, 2020
Cooper
The reeds seem to be working well now – let me know if any break or seem to be changing so I can get more ready for you. Please make sure to order the Gekeler books for next time I see you. (July 28th)
Scales
D Major
- The notes are there, now we need to think about tuning.
- Record yourself playing a low D (in tune – use a tuner), then play the scale slowly against the playback
- make sure your upper and lower D are in tune
- Record a B natural and play the whole D scale again, making sure your B naturals are in tune with the drone
- Record a C#, play the C# to make sure it’s in tune with the recording (use a tuner with all these recordings), then play the scale, paying attention to the C# as you play it
B Minor
- Still needs some work to remember the notes before you play – make sure to remind yourself of:
- The Key signature (F# and C# from the relative major, D)
- The raised notes on the way up, G# and A#
- The lowered notes on the way down for the natural minor using the key signature of D major
- Play slowly with a metronome
- Crescendo to the top B natural keeping your air moving fast
- Tune the notes by dropping your jaw or adjusting your embouchure pressure, not by taking air away
Piece
Gymnopédie No. 1
It’s so close!! Try to:
- Play with dynamics – increase your air speed and crescendo!
- Play with the metronome at 63 to the quarter and really pay attention to your rhythm
- See if you can play it even slower
Preferred Books for Beth’s Students
Click to buy them here, and they’ll come right to your house! What could be easier?
Gekeler Method
The material in the Gekeler Method for Oboe is divided in two parts. The studies in Part I are for the purpose of developing musical style and interpretation; those in Part II are for the study of scales and intervals, and for improvement of articulation.
Gekeler Method
(See notes for book One)
80 Graded Studies
80 Graded Studies for Oboe is two books that bring together a broad selection of repertoire in a variety of styles. The studies are arranged in order of increasing difficulty, according to a carefully planned technical progression.
The Really Easy Oboe Book
Song book including: March of the Ducks * Daydreaming * Holiday Trot * The Brook * Mellifluous Minuet * Nocturne * Spring Song * Elizabethan Lament * The Barrel Organ * Siciliana * Dance of the Scarecrows * Ballad * Jovial Jig * Berceuse * Children’s Waltz * Wistful Waltz * Chrismtas Song * Comedy * A Winter’s Tale * Country Dance.
Oboe Music to Enjoy
Firs Book of Oboe Solos
First Book of Oboe Solos is the oboe solo part separate from the complete score of the First Book Of Oboe Solos (0571503721) that contains piano accompaniment. This book is a collection with the true beginner in mind, arranged and edited by Janet Craxton and Alan Richardson, introducing oboe players to an unusually wide range of music. All 26 pieces have been chosen to encourage attention to the basic technical aspects of oboe playing, and are organised in approximate order of increasing technical difficulty. The book helps young students take account of both technical and musical considerations from the very beginning.