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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000032.txt from 2008/04

From: philfrei@-----.com
Subj: [DR-L] Can octave vent holes be enlarged? (oboe)
Date: Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:31:49 -0400

(Danger, danger, Will Robinson!!) These vent holes are shaped kind of
like fluted champagne glasses. It's not just a straight hole, but more
complex, and probably very difficult to repair or restore once altered,
compared to other tone holes.

Some reeds can just do that. (Even moreso on saxophone--Dave Liebmann
has a really interesting section on his instructional tape where he
exploits this effect to the max. But orchestral oboists don't generally
go there--into the wilds of "Coltrane" country.)

High notes require extra support, from breath and embouchure. Enlarging
the octave hole is NOT a good way to compensate for this. Stiffer reeds
can lessen the additional amount of extra support needed for the upper
register, but it seems you've gone too far.

Phil Freihofner
Albany, CA

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