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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000035.txt from 2008/04

From: Mike Benthin -MUTS oboe support <benthin@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [DR-L] Can octave vent holes be enlarged? (oboe)
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:24:33 -0400

Tnanks for the input re octave key vent size- I will leave it alone.
Scraping not so far down produces a more stable pitched upper
register, but that's when I get the octave dropping- more likely due to
the currently much harder Danzi cane.

I grew up with a Gomberg scrape (no windows, but long side scrapes) and
the Kohlert oboe, which naturally does not seem to have pitch sagging
issues as much as the Loree, but oh, that #$#*# automatic octave and
much softer tone!. Also, the half-hold on the Kohlert is linked so if
one lifts the first finger, it still keeps the half-hold. An interesting
horn; I miss the separate key for trilling A-flat to B-flat.

philfrei@-----.com wrote:
> (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

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