 The Fingering Forum
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Author: Tony
Date: 2000-04-16 03:43
I'm in the process of getting a new oboe (a Bulgheroni). I have two choices, a fully automatic system or a semi-automatic system. Does anyone know what these mean specifically? Both are full conservatory and have the same accessory and trill keys. Thanks!
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Author: RJ
Date: 2000-04-17 19:07
Tony,
Semi-automatic means that when you press the side key for the second octave vent, it automatically closes the first octave (thumb key) vent. This is by far the most common system in the U.S.
Fully automatic means that you only have to press the thumb octave key, and there is a mechanism which automatically closes the first octave vent and opens the second vent when it is needed. This can eliminate some possible high register fingering combinations. This system is popular in Europe.
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Author: Andrea
Date: 2000-06-16 00:11
Hello Tony!
Your topic is really interesting, but I feel that RJ did
not fully explain the matter in every detail. While is true
that automatic octave keys can limit the choice of
fingerings in the third octave, this is only for
Conservatoire (Systéme 6 bis) oboes fitted with perforated
finger plates, which are the most widespread instruments.
Should you run across the choice to buy the ring model, you can circumvent the obstacle because you'll operate the
speaker changeover by depressing only ring 3 (left ring finger - thumb always on the speaker key of course), virtually eliminating the slavish link that will not allow full opening of hole 3. As for the downside, many
comfortable trills cannot be attained, since with the lack of finger plates holes 2 and 3 can not be fitted with the
mechanism operated by the third G# key. In its place there
is traditionally a plain Ab/Bb trill key, its hole being tuned for that purpose alone (isn't all true - you can reach
third octave F# either slurred or attacked and is in practise useful on both the lower octaves' two semitones around it). I'm afraid you
won't find such an oboe from Bulgheroni (really an exquisite and highly praised firm indeed) and should switch
to a Patricola. It's among the few manufacturers in Italy, if not the only one, who still list a ring model
(Systéme 6A, the one just before the latest Gillet). Patricola is on the web at www.patricola.com . Their catalog
is the most complete I've ever seen, including Eb 'musette'
oboe, thumbplate model, Prestini (low B to the left thumb,
duplicate C# in its place, the standard Italian one) model,
choice of rings or finger plates, choice of speaker mechanism, and so on. Give 'em a try!
Hoping to have been clear enough for you, bye! And...
KEEP BLOWING STRONG!
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