The Hite Site
An Oboist's Study Guide by Renee Higgins & David Hite
LEVEL 3

A real sense of accomplishment comes with progress through level three. The player should become a good, competent member of the school band. An interest in ensemble music could be developing. One hour a day practice sessions should be routine, and as a result, the fingers should become totally comfortable in the patterns of the most used keys. A higher level of technical advancement should allow more time for attention to musical expression. The importance of tonal development through effective long tone study should be emphasized.

The activities that support continued development should be cultivated. Reeds should be carefully selected for vibrancy, response, tonal clarity and good dynamic range. Playing on old worn out reeds should be avoided. At least two well adjusted, broken in reeds should be maintained at all times. Reedmaking study should begin with a private instructor. Every oboist at this level should obtain a good knife and other necessary accessories.

Technique basics
  • Improve reliable and accurate reading of music, making school band and ensemble music routine.
  • Develop a quicker, more self assured approach to newly assigned music.
  • Learn to sense proper tempos.
  • Continue to refine tone in three aspects: greater beauty and depth; more power and softer dynamics; agility to control crescendos and diminuendos.
  • Master all articulations, staccato, legato and slurring, in any combination.
  • Perform scale patterns in thirds.
  • Perform solos publicly.
Theory basics
  • Know all major and minor scales up to four sharps and four flats.
  • Understand the construction of the tonic, dominant and subdominant chords and how these chords relate to the scales; recognize the scales and chords in the music being studied.
  • Develop the ability to sing and\or recognize any ascending interval up to a fifth from a given note.
  • Expand vocabulary of terms, signs and tempos encountered in the music being performed.
  • Study phrasing including the recognition of phrases and how they relate to one another.
Recommended etudes for LEVEL 3
Andraud, Albert J.: Practical and Progressive Oboe Method

David Hite: Foundation Studies
Continuing work in this volume, the familiar scales should begin to flow accurately. The tonic chords, broken chords and dominant seventh chords, and the interrupted and returning scales should flow well. The four sharps and four flats keys should be routine.

David Hite: Melodious and Progressive Studies,
  Book 1
Continued study in this book should develop good reading and style fluency. Efforts to stabilize a beautiful sound should be pursued carefully before approaching etudes requiring greater speed. Sensitivity to dynamics and tonal flexibility should be stressed at this time.

David Hite: Melodious and Progressive Studies,
  Book 2
    Contents:
  • Gambaro 16 Caprices
  • Misc. etudes for special problems
  • Hite Scales in thirds
While refining the slower Nocentini and Baermann etudes of Book 1, it is well to begin practicing these Gambaro studies for finger and tongue dexterity.. Work in specialized areas - tongue, speed, chromatics, trills, etc. - can be approached as needed.

David Hite: 40 Progressive Melodies by A.M.R. Barret
    Contents:
  • Barret 40 Progressive Melodies
  • Dont 8 Progressive Exercises
  • Hite Scale studies
Continued use of this volume can constitute recreational playing, giving vent to imaginative phrasing style.
Recommended solos for LEVEL 3
Bach-Andraud: Andante
Bach-Andraud: Siciliano and Arioso
Baermann-Hite: Adagio (Attributed to Wagner)
Beethoven-Andraud: Adagio Cantabile (Sonate Pathétique)
Bordier-Perkins: Berceuse
Büsser-Andraud: Eglogue (Pastoral Poem)
Colin-Andraud: Les Echos de Marnes
Donjon-Guertin: Invocation
Dremlyuga-Zakopets: Andantino)
Kreisler, Alexander von: Sonatina
Paradis, Maria T. von: Sicilienne
R-Korsakov-Thurston: The Rose and the Nightingale
Smolanoff, Michael: In Memoriam
Solomon, Edward S.: Danza Italiana
Tchaikovsky-Zakopets: Romance
Telemann-Andraud: Four Short Melodic Pieces
Telemann-Andraud: Four Short Melodic Pieces
Vadala, Kathleen: Sea Change
Study Guide:
Level 2		 The Hite Site
HOMEPAGE		 Study Guide:
Level 4
THE HITE SITE, designed and maintained by Jean Hite.    Comments to: jean@jdhite.com
All contents copyright © 1997, Renee Higgins & David Hite    All rights reserved.
Revised: 4 February, 1998    URL: http://www.jdhite.com/study/oboe/level3.htm