Author: HautboisJJ
Date: 2011-03-23 16:06
Hi Rachel,
I assume that you being from Australia, that you play short scrape reeds yes?
Firstly, with a European setup, lifting the index finger for all notes above 2nd octave C is "standard". So my next question is, do you lift for your middle register or do you half hole? Yes or no, you would have to set the index finger key quite low, almost closing, for the optimum response of the higher register.
If you finger C# without, why do you finger D with the first finger? If the D is sharp simply add fingers to compensate. And from the way you describe it i believe your C# is easy yes?
So, a good fingering scheme is thus:
C# =
OXX | XOO + c key (standard)
OXX | XOO (german, if you use very small staples)
OXX | XOX + c key (if it's sharp, this is what i do)
D =
OXX | OOO + c key (standard)
OXX | OOO (german, if you use very small staples)
OXX | OOX (OR) OXO (OR EVEN) OXX + c key (i use the first one because the pitch is good for my oboe and also because it's smooth from the C# fingering i use; but sometimes even the 2nd one when i have to play D very very loudly.)
Since most of these fingerings require the use of the C key, these things should be considered:
1. The height of the E pad in relation to C key. To find out how much is correct, first decide on one fingering (the standard ones SHOULD work...), then, play a top C (in tune), and with no change at all in the breath and embouchure, slur to a top C#, if it's sharp, screw down the C key more, i.e. the E pad goes down more, vice versa. Try that with high D as well. Eventually you will find a balance. So if you get that balance right and D then becomes flat or sharp, change the fingering scheme to suit the best. The height will somehow affect the response of these notes as well. Tricky, i know. But a few days of experimenting and with a few different reeds should produce a definite setup.
Also...
2. The condition of half hole plate. For myself, i find it very useful to wax the diamond hole and after create a hole the diameter of the diamond hole itself (without the edges on top and bottom of course, resulting a circular hole instead of a diamond...). This flattens the middle register (i.e. c#-d#, which is often sharp on many oboes) as well as removes the airy stuffy feeling associated with it. But most importantly, this seems to help the response of the upper register with fingerings that don't require half holing. Also, the height of this key has to be quite low in my experience, almost closing. Having said that, i have played many super instruments that don't require any of these, so if step 1 is done and you have no problems, let the diamond be forever!
3. Reeds? The smaller the staple the flatter the 3rd octave. This is the general rule. In France where a lot of cane is left on the reed and many use big Glotin type staples, having the e pad completely down is common. A big opening never helps so be sure that is not the culprit behind all your problems beforehand.
The ultimate test would be to attack these notes as softly as possible. Should be easiest thing in the world! Then slurring to them from any other note should pose no problems at all.
Good luck!
Regards,
Howard
Post Edited (2011-03-23 16:10)
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