Rhythms & Rests: Oboe Book

Erickson's approach here moves beyond rote rhythm practice by embedding the drills into real band contexts. The duet option keeps oboe players engaged during sectional work, while the full band arrangements at each unit's end give students immediate musical payoff for their technical work.

Honest and straightforward. These are working exercises with real musical purpose, not sterile technical studies. The band arrangements give context and forward momentum; the oboe player feels like a contributor to something genuine, not an isolated practitioner.

This book serves oboe players in developing concert bands who need systematic work on rhythm accuracy and rest reading. It's equally valuable for students building confidence in less common meters and for directors seeking structured sectional material that connects directly to performance repertoire.

• Start with the prep rhythm drills before assigning the corresponding etudes. These focused exercises prepare the oboe section for the specific challenges in each unit without the distraction of melody.
• Use the duet versions during sectional rehearsal to lock rhythmic precision between oboe players while maintaining independence from the rest of the band.
• Approach the variable meter passages (5/8, 7/8) by tapping through them first as a section before playing. Meter shifts require tactile anchoring, not just sight-reading.

Assign units sequentially throughout the year alongside your concert band repertoire, using the prep drills two rehearsals before introducing the full arrangement. This creates a natural rhythm: skill introduced in sectionals, reinforced through the band piece, retained through performance.

• Reading and executing rhythms in irregular meters (5/8, 7/8, and similar)
• Counting and performing passages with varied rests
• Rhythmic precision and independence in ensemble contexts
• Sight-reading etudes as solo or ensemble pieces
• Confidence with changing eighth-note subdivisions