Back to Links & Surprises Zen and the Art of Oboe Playing Some sayings by the French oboist Maurice Bourgue, noted at a Masterclass in Ramsgate, UK, 1980 (and still true in the 21st Century!) Either give your all or play nicely. You have to die for the music There is no secret! Be like a happy monkey Get the sense, then the sound The audience meets you by feeling what you play, not by understanding Playing is not more serious than drinking coffee Take the reed in as you would take up a fork - simply You play not to play well, or badly, but to give pleasure Your desire is too strong; why do you want to play it right? Accept the danger and give your life. The truth is after the fear. Go through the fear. Why not? What is your reason? The risk of being unsuccessful is not a big risk Agree with the fear, it is a good friend All my body is like a heart, with blood. It is my limit, and also my freedom Whooohhh! Whooohhh! Full of pushing but without will* The embouchure is in the stomach The reed is the join, but not the start To be right at the mouth, first be right in the breath Rhythm is the basis of technique In order to play out of time, you have to feel the pulse *By 'will' I think Bourgue means desire, effort, or anything else we might add to the act of pushing air. Back to Links & Surprises