| Brought to you this hour by |  | Advertising and Web Hosting on Woodwind.Org! |
Doublereed Archive - Posting 000023.txt from 2005/01
From: PhilFrei@-----.com
Subj: [DR-L] Re: past times on this list
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2005 22:28:50 -0500
I imagine a lot of the "professional" doublereed traffic is now on the IDRS
list. But I don't like the fact that you have to pay to participate on that
list.
There are other lists, too, I think, for different regions of the USA or even
the world (Australia?), for doublereeds. But I don't know their emails.
I haven't popped a technical question since my last about left-hand thumb
placement on the oboe. Despite the majority response in support of leaving the
thumb on the wood of the oboe, I am finding that I am acclimating to resting it
lightly on the octave key itself. There are still occasions where I press it
accidentally or wander off, but they are methodically getting identified and
worked out. A big benefit, as suggested might occur by Ed Lacy, is that I think
I am using a lot less pressure and tension in my left hand overall. All in
all, if you can get past the initial odd feeling and insecurity, I would
recommend giving it a try, as I do think it allows one to change registers more
quickly and cleanly.
I'm also using a much flatter left hand index (using the side of the finger)
for the half-hole and this is also making crossing the break cleaner and
faster (as well as leaving my finger closer to the left hand octave). But a side
effect is that the stretch to the low B & B-flat, as well as left E-flat and F
is greater. I think I am learning to deal with it, being fortunate in having
fairly long fingers. But my old trick of rolling with the left pinky to play
B-flat to E-flat, or B to D-sharp is no longer possible without a drastic shift
in hand position. So I've started experimenting with the right pinky slide from
the C key to the E-flat key and back.
It seems the old advice about using a bit of oil from the nose or back of the
ear does work surprisingly well. But I don't understand why the two keys are
rounded. By being rounded, one can't use a rocking motion between the two keys
without getting pinched, so only sliding is possible. Any thoughts on why a
flatter, closer connection between these two keys hasn't been made? Are
replacement keys available? Or maybe there is a mechanic that can build up the
rounded keys to a flatter shape? Or install a roller like on a clarinet? (I'm using
a regular Loree, about 3 years old.)
Yes, the Alex Klein solo oboe CD is inspirational! It is one of my favorites.
But I also think there is room for another interpretation of the Bach A Minor
Sonata. Maybe there will be more done along these lines?
- Phil Freihofner
---------------------------------------------------------------------
For personal help: email doublereed-owner@-----.org
Doublereed is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org
