About Us

I thought you might like to see a picture of the author of this website and the book Oboe Tips and Techniques! It was taken outside Canterbury Cathedral and I enjoyed wearing my fine robes etc!

I started to play bamboo pipes, which I made from scratch, at the age of about ten. It was fun and I was hooked. During my teenage years I studied the piano and organ so i had left school by the time I found my first oboe. My teacher was Michael Winfield, who at that time was principal oboe in the Halle Orchestra in Manchester. I have been in his care for more than fifty years for which I am extremely grateful.  He is an amazing teacher and a player that has kept me motivated by his high standards and beautiful playing.

I made an early decision to play the oboe for pleasure and do other things for my living such as teaching. This is a decision all players have to take when they are faced with the choice of the pressures of playing for a living, or the frustrations of having to squeeze the playing into a busy life style.  I have enjoyed playing in Musical Festival competitions, attending summer schools for long weeks of just playing the oboe and playing in orchestras, chamber groups, playing for theatrical shows, wind bands and many more different types of musical get togethers.

I had two secondhand oboes during my first year or so. The first was a conservatoire system, the second thumbplate. Next  I found a new Marigaux oboe, conservatoire system,  which I have played on ever since. It has had one major overhaul and various small problems in the intervening years. Replacement pads or springs and other adjustments with regular checks have been all it needed. It may have been an expensive outlay in 1954 or whenever (£100) but it has been a friend for life. I strongly advocate buying the best you can as early as possible. It is the cheaper route in the end.

Over the years I have met and learnt from so many marvellous musicians that I felt putting some of my experience  in writing might be helpful to others following a similar route but not yet in half century mark!

I would be happy to answer queries or comments from any visitors to the site who wish to e-mail me. If you prefer to use snailmail please remember I live in the UK and international postage can be expensive.

If you wish to contact me please use the address:

Dr Deidre Gordon

Spring Farm
Stratford St Mary
Colchester Essex UK  
CO7 6NB