Oboe Question's...??

Hawk Henries

New member
Mat,
Thank you for your answers. After reading the answers it seems I should have thought about longer maybe negating the need to ask them.
Your advice to not drink anything with sugar because it might effect the keys is very good advice!!

BTW- I agree and like your signature line very much.

Thanks again...I am sure I will have many more questions to ask the expert's such as yourself.
 

Hawk Henries

New member
Seating the reed??

Hi Folks,

When I put the reed into the oboe I usually place it as far in as possible. There seems to be a lip inside that stops it at a certain point.

Is this the optimal position? Does the reeds placement in the oboe effect tuning?

I have been using a medium soft reed which works fine. I am wondering if a reed can get "played" out. In other words can a reed loose it's ability to function properly even though it shows no obvious signs of damage/wear?

Thanks for your help.
 

Mat

Sr. Regulator
Staff member
Sr. Regulator
Regulator
Hi there Hawk

The reed's placement has a significant meaning when it comes to the tune. In other words, the further you place the reed in the oboe, the lower sound you get. It works both ways. It is helpful when you play with other musicians. It simply allows to change the tune constantly without having to change the mouth 'configuration'

Yes, the reed can and will get played out after a period of time. It is a relative issue. It depends on the quality of the wood the reed is made of, it depends on how often do you use it, and on few other factors. I'm not sure, though, if I understand the "play out" phrase correctly.

And the last thing, yes, the reed can lose its ability to work properly without any visible signs of wear. It's worth to mention that the reed needs to be cleaned from time to time. I used to clean the reeds with pipe cleaners like these.
 
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Hawk Henries

New member
Hi Mat,

Thanks for your answers to my questions!

I think your answer to my question of a reed getting played out was accurate...you understood the phrase correctly :)

When the pipe cleaner is used is it for the reed itself or for the staple/cork that the reed is attached to? I had been thinking about cleaning the reed (cane part) ...maybe a light mist of water with a miniscule amount of lavender or peppermint oil. What do you think?
I thought this because when I am finished playing, after an hour or more, the reed is very damp. I put it into its case and leave it open to let it dry.???

One last thing. I wipe out the oboe itself after playing. Is it necessary to let it dry completely before closing the case???

Thanks for your help :)
 

Mat

Sr. Regulator
Staff member
Sr. Regulator
Regulator
I never tried to clean the reed with any kind of oil. I'm not sure if it is safe thing to do. But I may be wrong. Maybe Rojo will give you some good advice on this one.

Here's my way of cleaning the reed with pipe cleaner. Put the cleaner into the reed (the cork side) and just pull it out from the other side (cane). Hope you understand what I mean; I have no idea how to put it in right words:confused:.

You don't need to leave the case open to let the reed get dry. And it's the same with the oboe.
 

rojo

(Ret)
Hey guys,

I've never heard of anyone using oils of any kind on reeds. I would imagine it might make the reed sluggish in response, cutting down the vibrations. You could always experiment with a crappy reed to find out the results.

By the way, you could also brush your teeth before playing; that helps the reed to stay clean longer as well. If it's convenient. Rinse your mouth well after brushing though.

Leaving the case(s) open for drying might be a good idea, but perhaps not very safe; one wouldn't want to risk anything happening to the contents. An open case is just asking for trouble. :grin:
 

greatcyber

New member
You guys are bringing me back to my high school days with this thread. I taught myself (mostly) how to play the oboe and the bassoon. I liked them both, but preference remains with the bassoon. I love the slightly odd sound it makes. In band the other kids used to call it the "fart" instrument or the "goose" but I had a friend who was first bassoon and she showed me a lot. I also used the same book as Rojo to learn the oboe (as well as the bassoon).

I do remember that when we were taking a break during symphony season, we would take the reeds out and keep them in our mouths to retain the moisture. I would think that putting away the damp reed could lead to mildew, depending upon the humidity level. It was VERY humid in Florida, so I always let it dry out before putting the cover on the case. But, one time one of our cats chewed a reed up, so I had to put it on a shelf that the cat couldn't get to.

Stephen
 

Mat

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Staff member
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Hey Hawk,

How are you doing? Can you play Bach's d minor concert yet? Hope you didn't quit the oboe. :):):)


Cheeers,

Mat:tiphat:
 

Hawk Henries

New member
Hi Mat,
Still working at it. I can't play any Bach at the moment in fact I can't play any song yet. I have been concentrating on fingering and learning the notes.
Honestly I have had very little time to play as I have been traveling a great deal this summer playing my flutes.

When I first began playing flute (almost 20 years ago) I would have the flute with me where ever I went and i would play somtimes only for 30 seconds or a minute. I did this throughout the day then would spend an hour or more at night with the flute.
I find this approach difficult with oboe primarily because you have to soak the reed before playing...that is until a few days ago when I discovered composite/plastic reeds!!! Wahooo no need to soak them. I have also found that with the plastic reed I can play with a medium hard as opposed to medium soft reed. The medium hard reed seems to create a brighter sound.

Well I am loving this instrument and the music!!!
 

Hawk Henries

New member
Ct64,
I have not even heard Mozart's or is it Mozarts' (hmmmm...the apostrophe goes where?? :) ) oboe concerto-----YET! Presently I am absorbed by Albinoni's' works for oboe/double oboe.
Can you suggest other oboe concerti? Thanks :)
 

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
Hawk - sorry it's taken me several moons to answer this. (Mozart's will do for apostrophes!).

He wrote a beautiful oboe concerto which is in c major from memory, and I think it was or is a transcription of a flute concerto he was bullied into composing. Mozart famously hated the flute and the harp. Consequently, when he wrote the delightful concerto for flute and harp, he said to his father something along the lines of "I've killed two birds with one stone ..."
 

Mat

Sr. Regulator
Staff member
Sr. Regulator
Regulator
My suggestion for someone who is just beginning their adventure with oboe would be Corelli/Barbirolli concerto in F Major
 

Mat

Sr. Regulator
Staff member
Sr. Regulator
Regulator
I have never heard this expression before, Sunwaiter. Please explain?
 

Mat

Sr. Regulator
Staff member
Sr. Regulator
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Oh, now I get it:). So, do you play the oboe? Or any other instrument?
 

sunwaiter

New member
no, i don't play oboe. i just like the sound of it and the part it often has in symphonic compositions. i do play guitar ( though lately time has been getting really hard to find ), bass guitar and a little bit of drums. my dream is to play some flute. it is my favourite instrument. On earth. what about you?
 
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