Why do beginners play flat?

Claude 013

Claude 013

Partly curiosity. I read a lot of complaints on YT where people say that they can't bring the pitch up on their new oboe.
And partly practical. I'm now teaching myself oboe since I can't afford a teacher.
I put a tuner on the bell and found I'm playing generally one or two semitones below what I'm supposed to be playing, and I don't believe the oboe is a transposing instrument.
So what are the common mistakes beginners make that flatten the pitch? I've been working on my embouchure and I've brought the pitch up a little, but I haven't been able to do it consistently.
 
The played pitch of the reed on it's staple should be a C. A weak embouchure will make it difficult to get up to this pitch. An exercise to strengthen the embouchure is to hold a soda straw parallel to the floor with your lips for as long as you can, rest, and repeat.

Putting more of the reed into the mouth will raise the pitch, pulling it out will lower the pitch. A reed that is too soft will play flat. Taking just a few lessons from an oboe specialist to learn your way around those "pesky" reeds will greatly increase your chances of success.
 
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