 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: doublereeder2
Date: 2008-01-22 20:28
It appears I will be playing Bass Oboe on the Planets next month. Yikes!
I have shaped cane and staples coming in from Forrests (this week) and thought it might be nice to know what to do with them. I have searched the WWW, IDRS and this board and cannot seem to find any specific measurements on the reeds. I have seen BO reeds for sale, but thought I would like to tackle making them myself first.
Please, does anyone have dimensions for these things? Thanks so much :-)
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Author: hautbois
Date: 2008-01-22 22:39
Hi Ceci,
I suggest (and I am suprised Cooper did not suggest it) that you contact David Weber. At the IDRS convention in Austin I borrowed a bass oboe reed from him to try an instrument, and it was excellent. If he cannot give you dimensions, perhaps you could purchase one and then measure and copy its dimensions.
Elizabeth
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Author: vboboe
Date: 2008-01-23 02:19
... i've only heard The Planets, never seen the score, where does bass oboe play?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-01-23 02:52
vboboe wrote:
> i've only heard The Planets, never seen the score,
> where does bass oboe play
Bass oboe parts are found in "Mars", "Mercury", "Saturn" and "Uranus".
...GBK
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Author: JRJINSA
Date: 2008-01-23 03:13
From what I recall, you can hear it best in "Saturn" right? It makes a nice intro, sort of mimicking the other instruments before the main theme starts.
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Author: vboboe
Date: 2008-01-23 04:44
... and there was i thinking my recording sounded like maybe bassoon with basses ...
perhaps it is played that way if can't get the rare bass oboe for the part?
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Author: wrowand
Date: 2008-01-23 05:04
From what I remember my teacher telling me, you make the reed even more like a bassoon reed (less definition, not much out of the back) than you do for english horn. I have no idea about finished length or how long to tie it on. Do you have a mandrel? I guess you could use the bocal as a mandrel if you needed to.
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Author: doublereeder2
Date: 2008-01-23 11:44
Thank you for all your suggestions. But I am still interested in the dimensions........
No, Woody, I do not have a mandrel. I figured I could use the EH mandrel and wrap it or something. I haven't had time yet to explore that yet. I'll probably give David a call and see what he says.
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Author: doublereeder2
Date: 2008-01-24 18:50
Thanks, Andrew. I don't think I will invest the big $$ in a Loree BO mandrel for a probably one-shot deal at this instrument. I can come up with a "McGyver" solution for a mandrel.
I called David Weber - who said to tie as long as possible without leaks - and he directed me to Fred Capps. Fred's BO reeds are $30 each - since I already invested a chunk for cane and staples, I really don't want to spend any more. Then I called David Matthews since he is right here in town (Dallas Symphony EH) and is replacing a tenon cork on an oboe for me anyway and he is happy to give me some BO pointers.
I will let you know what David says and how this all pans out - we do these concerts (3 children's and 1 subscription) at the end of February.
Thanks to everyone for responding. I appreciate each and every thought you contributed :-). Happy reeds, y'all.
Ceci
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Author: hautbois
Date: 2008-01-24 21:43
Hi Ceci --
Have you tried slipping an english horn reed with staple over a bass oboe staple (using tubing to seal it, I guess) and seeing if it will play? I have heard of such things being tried, though I have no experience in it.
Elizabeth
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Author: wrowand
Date: 2008-01-24 21:44
I know you would do it (i.e., mess with the bass oboe) just for the experience, as would I, but I hope they're paying you something extra for all your trouble.
Good luck!
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Author: doublereeder2
Date: 2008-01-26 00:43
wrowand wrote:
> I know you would do it (i.e., mess with the bass oboe) just for
> the experience, as would I, but I hope they're paying you
> something extra for all your trouble.
> Good luck!
Oh yeah, WR, you know me :-) Doubling $ is my friend....
The staples seem to almost fit my EH mandrel, so I believe I can get away with it.
Thanks again, everyone. Y'all are great!
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Author: Kalamazoo Oboist
Date: 2008-03-14 19:05
Hi Ceci and everyone,
I'm looking for a source for Bass Oboe Reeds other than Forrests (I will be trying theirs but would like another source.) I will be trying my hand at making them but would like backup reinforcements, just in case.
This was the response from Fred Capps when I attempted to order from him: "I'm sorry but I am unable to fill your order for reeds at this time. I am only accepting monthly customers. If you would like to be added to my waiting list, please let me know. The wait time is approximately 1 1/2 to 2 yrs."
Any other helpful hints on the particulars of playing the bass oboe on the Planets would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
~Maria
mschneider@kalamazoosymphony.com
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Author: doublereeder2
Date: 2008-03-14 23:55
Hi Maria -
I actually made 4 for myself with the cane and staples from Forrests. They were much easier to make that than I thought they would be. I bet you will have no problem :-)
Wrap them *really* long and blend them like a cross between and EH and bassoon reed; not nearly as defined as the oboe reed. I wired them like EH reeds and put a little tubing on the end of the staple to make a secure seal on the bocal.
I tried a couple reeds made by my colleagues here to get an idea of the sound and then just went for it.
I am only 5'2" and had to sit on a tall orchestra chair (the orchestra chairs by Wenger) plus a cushion so the beast would not hit the floor. I used a neckstrap since that puppy is HEAVY: 3+ lbs! I could barely reach the low C# key unless I bent my wrist at a crazy angle. And I felt like my head was in an unnatural upright to reach the reed! My wrist ached for a week but is fine now and my neck has also recovered with the help of my massage therapist.
The oddest bit about the BO embouchure is that the angle of the reed is perpendicular to the mouth. I oriented the reed to my upper lip (like the bassoons do) and loosened my grasp considerably.
When you fashion your reeds, make sure the response is good so the low B will work easily, since that is where they count on us most. I made a buzzy crow around C# that sounded like a cross between EH and bassoon -kind of rattley but not barnyardish. I also made them quite a bit easier than my oboe reeds which helped for the low Bs.
It also has to play up to an octave G for the last movement. I had to pretty much bite and blow in order for that to be in tune.
It was really a romp to play the Planets - we did 3 childrens concerts and the subscription - performed 4X in 2 days, thank you :-) I had a lot of fun.
If you want more input, feel free to email me at cecioboeATsbcglobalDOTnet
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Author: Oboe42
Date: 2013-06-14 04:02
I know this has been a while back now, but when you say "really" long, do you remember about how long?
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