Author: Oboe Craig
Date: 2011-01-22 21:36
You comment about too much pressure has me thinking a couple things.
If an oboe has well-worn keys, adjustments cannot be fine enough across the complexities of the mechanism to support a light touch. And sometimes the extra finger pressure creeps in and becomes a habit.
Also and out of adjustment oboe can lead to this.
Even one critical key being over-adjusted, such as the f# - g# bridge piece, will cause the whole bottom to balk and bad habits get formed. Likewise, under-adjusted secondary keys (the little ones) work better if you squeeze harder... still, not good.
The pressure, when things are right all around the oboe's adjustment, is really no more than you would use to pick up a grape between your thumb and forefinger.
Depending on your particular oboe, a good repairman can get it close. But I also believe some of the finer adjustments are verified via playing tests. One little extra tweak of the screw and focus is better, things clear up, etc.
If you repair guy is not actually an oboe player, it may be possible to sit there and do the playing tests while the repair person turns the screws. Or even just for the last 15 minutes to get the finer adjustments just right.
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