| Brought to you this hour by |  | Advertising and Web Hosting on Woodwind.Org! |
Doublereed Archive - Posting 000035.txt from 2004/09
From: PhilFrei@-----.com
Subj: [DR-L] Oboe vs. Clarinet
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2004 14:36:22 -0400
I haven't played clarinet. I think I "tried" it once, but the experience
didn't last a week. I have played sax, though. Sax is much easier than oboe.
Never mind the whole reed-making issue. Consider that the clarinet at high
volume only needs around 5 kPa of air pressure, at ALL pitches, whereas the oboe
varies from needing 5 or 6 at the low C, and 9-12 kPa at high C, and even
MORE in the third octave. (From a chart pg. 483 in "The Physics of Musical
Instruments" by Fletcher.) The need to vary supporting air pressure is an entirely
different element that must be mastered, never mind the challenges of
maintaining some of the highest air pressures in music. Only the trumpet asks for more
air pressure, in its highest range.
For reference, I think I read somewhere that 15 kPa is the point where the
air pressure is higher than the cystolic blood pressure, and exceeding this can
lead to fainting. So we are pretty much taking it to the limit.
Also, it seems to me the fingering system of the oboe is rather messed up.
(Blame the oboe, not my fingers!) I've spent a huge amount of time this week
focusing on the A-C interval. It is so hard to keep clean at higher velocities.
Is there an equivalent problem like this presented on the clarinet? Plus there
is G-Bb, and even F#A presents extra problems due to the Bb/C attachments to
the F# key. And half holes...
Why doesn't the oboe use a Boehm or flute/sax type of keywork?
Ultimately, when one develops the skills, I don't think oboe takes a lot of
"effort." But getting there really is difficult. Sometimes I wonder how much I
am going to be able to improve at 47 years. Still plugging away at it, but it
definitely has turned out to be harder than I expected.
- Phil Freihofner
---------------------------------------------------------------------
For personal help: email doublereed-owner@-----.org
Doublereed is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org
