 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: hautboy
Date: 2009-09-06 23:08
I'm playing this piece called Metroplex for Wind Ensemble and there is an english horn solo that ends with a low E flat slurred to a low B. Any suggestions on how to do this smoothly? I feel like I could use a little roller bar between my low E flat and low C key. Right now, I put my left pinky on the low B key while playing the E flat on the right, then slide my right pinky to the low C key when slurring to the low B. I rub my pinky on the side of my nose before the solo so my pinky will slide easier. Sometimes this works, but the response isn't as great down there as I would like, and I may end up cheating by breaking the slur and lightly tongueing the low B.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-09-06 23:45
Karl Jenkins' 'The Armed Man' has this same low Eb to low B slur in it, the only way I've managed it is take the Eb with the RH and slide to the C while keeping the B held closed just as you're doing.
Not a problem with German or Italian spec cors with the low B-C link fitted - the low B key closes the C along with it, so you only have to release the RH Eb key as soon as you close the low B. The low B-C link can be fitted to all instruments, and can also be fitted in such a way that it can be fully disengaged by backing off the adjusting screw completely if you don't need it.
Not so easy to fit on Marigaux cors as there's a gap between the low B and C key barrels, but not impossible as a link on a new piece of key barrel can be made to bridge the gap, and also a longer screw with a point will need to be made as the low C key is mounted on point screws. And the link can then be taken out if not needed.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: borris
Date: 2009-09-08 03:44
For me sliding LH pinky from Eb(LH) to B works the best. (Especially with the older horn with no Bb)
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2009-09-08 13:59
Do you have the "banana" key just across from the low D key (RH Ring finger)? It closes the C key so that you can do this. If not, if you rock back on the LH Eb key to the B key, that should work also.
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Author: hautboy
Date: 2009-09-10 19:37
I wanted to add that I have a semi automatic oboe, not thumbplate, so I'm assuming that this would make a difference in fingering. Also, I can try the banana key, but it's a little awkward to get to.
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2009-09-11 03:19
ALSO...I tend to slide between my Db (and sometimes C) and Eb keys on my right hand. That could work also. Finger the Low B with the Db key and slide form Eb to Db (or C if it's easier). That's if your horn is in adjustment! It might work for you.
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Author: jeremyreeds
Date: 2009-09-20 13:42
Hello, I am new to this forum, I had to add to this question because this touches on one of my favourite subjects. I believe that the Prestini model should be the standard (I say 'model' because Prestini models are conservatory sistems -and even though they could be Thumb Plate system, I have not seen any-).
Slurrig low Eb to B in the Prestini model does not represent any problem at all; in the standard models, either Conservatory or Thumb Plate systems, I think the way to approach the problem is (I was taught this by my teacher- long long long time ago-) :
with the left pinky you press down G#, B, and Eb keys;
this will produce an Eb (sound).
Now with the right pinky you press down your C key;
this will produce a (low) B (sound).
Pressing down the G# is only for the purpose of being able to
press B and Eb together, G# will be mute by the F#/G# Trill linkage.
The Eb sound should not be very badly affected by the C tone hole
being closed (B key being pressed down).
Of course, your oboe must always be very well adjusted.
I hope this helps.
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Author: jeremyreeds
Date: 2009-09-20 16:27
A little explanation on what I wrote before. I was not refering to English Horns (EH) / Cor Anglais (CA), I was ,instead, refering to oboes; and only oboes in which the low B and Eb are not link (meaning that do not take "advantage" of the butterfly effect, that is the same key press down one side is B, press down the other side is Eb). The student oboes use this advantage (is more economical) but in the professional oboes the two (notes/keys) are independent.
Probably in the cases of EH/CA there is not an easy solution, since most of them go only as far as low B, and therefore (as the first oboes that went only down to low B) take advantage of the 'buttefly'. I am sure that it would not be a problem with a Prestini model EH/CA.
Regards.
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