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Re: low notes

Author: jhoyla
Date: 2008-10-07 09:35

Toby, hi,

If you have a good reed that seals all the way to the tip, and an oboe that is sealing well, you should have no trouble playing a low D with a relaxed embouchure. The fact that you ARE having trouble is probably an indication that either the instrument or the reed are out of whack.

Let's start with the instrument, and test the top joint. Take out the reed, dampen your fingers, close all the holes, seal the bottom of the top joint (I use my RH ring finger to seal the bore-hole) and then suck as strong a vacuum as you can manage into the reed-well. Close off the vacuum with either your top or bottom lip, and start counting seconds until your lip falls away.

How many seconds did it hold? If it held less than 8 seconds you have a problem with your top joint regulation (my guess - this is your problem).

If this is NOT the problem, you need to use the same technique with the bottom joint, only this time you finger bottom C with your RH dampened fingers and close off the bore with your LH, simultaneously closing the bottom B pad manually. It's a bit tricky but doable. rotate the joint a little so that the armatures don't interfere, and suck a vacuum as before. Same 8 second test.

[note: a more objective way of timing the vacuum is to finger either LH G# or 1st Octave key on a semi-automatic model, and time until the key springs open. Use the B pad on the bottom joint.]

If you pass both of your vacuum tests with flying colors, next you should test your reed for leaks. Using only your thoroughly dampened reed, seal the bottom with your ring-finger and suck a gentle vacuum into the reed. Does it make an audible "pop" when it pops open? Does it "hold" the vacuum for a second or two?
Try sealing as before and blow into the reed. Dampen your lips and your fingers. Can you either hear or feel air escaping?
Does the reed speak easily, and crow octave Cs?

If all of the above tests pass, your reed and instrument are in fine shape. That leaves ... you. :-) Never assume it is you up front, without discounting all the other possibilities first. Let us know what you discover.

J.

Post Edited (2008-10-07 09:38)

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