 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: chikkinn
Date: 2014-08-26 02:21
Hi there, I came across an old oboe (B&H regent) and had it restored to playing order at no great cost. I normally progress past learning the easy notes on any new instrument really quickly, including the clarinet, but I'm struggling here. I just want to be able to play C5 (both index fingers and nothing else down) and B4 (just the top index finger down), but when I lift the lower index finger there's nearly no change in pitch at all. The sound I'm producing at the moment is loud and unpleasant, but its consistent. If I keep a consistent C going and try to go down to B, very little happens. If I drastically reduce the airflow, I can get it down to a B, but it's like the fingering change has nearly no effect and the breathing is doing all the work.
Does anyone have any input on why a complete beginner without a tutor might be getting this result? If it makes any difference, I have a really cheap (£5) reed from amazon.
Thank you very much for reading!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-08-26 03:28
Sounds to me like you're using the wrong fingering chart for this oboe - Regents are basic thumbplate system oboes so the fingerings for Bb and C are different to conservatoire system oboes which appears from the description what you're using. On thumbplate systems the RH1 fingerplate isn't linked to the top joint main action apart from the arm that closes the G# pad cup for an F#-G# trill. Most of the fingerings for the other notes are the same, apart from Bb and C which are:
Bb - xxo|ooo with the left thumb off the thumbplate
C - xoo|ooo also with the left thumb off the thumbplate (like the C on a flute).
The same fingering is used in the upper register but with the 2nd 8ve key open (the touchpiece under the 2nd joint of your left index finger in a similar position as a clarinet's throat G# key).
And as Regents have simple 8ve keys, you have to release the thumb 8ve key when you open the 2nd 8ve key with your left index finger when going between G-A in the upper register (but keep your left thumb on the thumbplate for these notes).
Howarth B and S10 oboes are also both basic thumbplate system oboes like the Regent as are Bundy and Buffet student model oboes made for the UK market.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: huboboe
Date: 2014-08-26 04:13
Chris, one of two things is likely wrong. Either you are using way too much reed - the proper embouchure uses just a tiny bit more reed than is necessary to cause the reed to vibrate at all - or more likely, the mechanism is out of adjustment. Look on the top joint at the two little pads between your index and second finger and your second and third fingers. When you press your right index finger down, these pads are raised and lowered. When they are lowered, is it possible to press them further down - are they really closing? look at the bridge key between the RH 1st finger and the top joint. there should be a small amount of free play before the bridge key touches the lever it activates. Otherwise it will prevent those little keys (the C & Bb) from closing entirely.
A third possibility: Is there a flat plate key just below the thumb octave? If so, this thumbplate mechanism replaces the RH 1st finger and should be pressed and released instead of the RH 1st finger.
Why not take it back to the tech who set it up and ask him what the trouble is...
Enjoy your new adventure!
Robert Hubbard
WestwindDoubleReed.com
1-888-579-6020
bob@westwinddoublereed.com
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Author: huboboe
Date: 2014-08-26 04:19
Chris - I'm embarrassed - I read the original post but didn't see your reply until after I'd posted mine. Except I saw your name on the list and thought it was the original post, hence addressing you on my reply. Teaching granny to suck eggs...
Robert Hubbard
WestwindDoubleReed.com
1-888-579-6020
bob@westwinddoublereed.com
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Author: chikkinn
Date: 2014-08-27 01:36
Thank you so much to both of you for your input, it is indeed a thumbplate system oboe! I hadn't honestly tried playing Bb before, I was too focused on C and B. So how do I play a B? Playing the fingerings you posted, Chris P, does produce two notes a full tone apart (which is a great relief, finally this instrument's starting to make sense), so it looks like I have C and Bb down. But according to http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/oboe/ob_bas_1.html , the fingering for B on a conservatoire instrument is the same as the fingering you gave me for C on my thumbplate instrument. Do I use the alternative, A#4 trill fingering for B? Because that seems to work (though admittedly I'm not sure I'm doing it right; do you just slide your left index finger further to the right to both cover the hole it normally does and also press the plate directly next to it down?)
Thank you!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-08-27 02:21
Attachment: b&hregenttopjoint.jpg (77k)
B natural is the left index finger only with the thumb on the thumbplate - if you're still getting a C, then check both the small pads either side of the LH2 ring are closing together when the thumbplate is held down. The adjusting screw that regulates both is the one marked with the red arrow in the attached photo - adjust it so both Bb and C pads close together.
The other adjusting screw linking LH1 fingerplate to the LH2 ring key is to allow LH2/C key to lower the LH1 pad down almost closed when the thumbplate is held down - there has to be a very very small amount of movement on the LH1 fingerplate, almost none, but still adjust it so it opens by a minimum of the thickness of a piece of A4 paper and maximum of two pieces.
You lift off LH1 for upper register C#, D and Eb, then the 1st 8ve key (thumb) is opened for upper register E-G# and that's released and the 2nd 8ve key (LH1) is opened from upper register A to C.
Altissimo C#-Eb above that is done by lifting off LH1 and the 1st 8ve key is used from altissimo E upwards.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: chikkinn
Date: 2014-08-27 02:30
Perfect, now I can start building confidence with this instrument. Thank you so much!
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Author: jhoyla
Date: 2014-08-27 12:33
Try and pick up a copy of "A Tune a Day" book 1, which has the fingering chart you need.
Also, remember that Forked-F is not the default - your primary choice for F should be using RH ring-finger on the little in-between key (this is a common fault in self-taught oboists).
Good luck!
J.
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Author: chikkinn
Date: 2014-08-29 23:14
Thanks for the advice, I've ordered the book and will watch out for that F!
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