 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: FLoboeMOM
Date: 2015-10-15 04:59
Guys, I just want to see if you all can give suggestions.
My son will be doing a sideline oboe solo in the marching band competitions. He goes from the tuba in the first song and then switches to his oboe for 2nd song solo and then back to tuba for the 3rd song.
The first competition is outside in the elements and the other two are in indoor stadiums with warmups/practices outside. The weather is usually cold outside and somewhat warmer inside.
We rented a plastic Loree to avoid cracks in his two wood instruments but it sounds flat. We are taking it in for adjustments but I am concerned that the sound will still be flat.
Any suggestions to maximize his sound to be in tune? It is a beautiful solo but going flat won't be good.
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Author: FLoboeMOM
Date: 2015-10-18 03:17
Thank you for asking. He has been playing for 5 years and is in the local youth symphony and was first chair last year in another youth orchestra. He is a very good oboist but this is the first time he has had to play outside or in less than concert conditions.
He is playing next weekend in an outside band competition where the daytime temperatures will be in high 60s and low 70s and the evening temperature for the finals in the mid 50s. The next two competitions will be in huge indoor stadiums.
We tried wrapping the oboe in a blanket just before performance for a football game and he had to put it on a stand for about 2 minutes before picking it up for his solo.
The reed he dropped into warm water right before hitting the field so it was soaked for about 2 minutes, too.
We did take the oboe in for maintenance and a few adjustments were made to optimize the tone. But with 80 band kids playing sharp, and the oboe playing a little flat, we are hoping someone has had this experience and was able to maximize the best sound.
Just any suggestions as to temp/handling of oboe and best way to handle the reed are really appreciated.
Post Edited (2015-10-18 15:06)
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Author: oboi
Date: 2015-10-18 13:55
If your son knows how to (or has a teacher that can), have him adjust the reed. With a bit of adjustment on the reed, an oboe can definitely play a few cents sharper without affecting the balance between notes.
If there isn't any reed guidance.... then if he has an older throwaway reed or one with a very closed opening, clip the tip very slightly with a straight razor blade. That will bring the pitch up noticeably. Be careful if you've never adjusted reeds before, and test on a garbage reed first!
Relying on the temperature of the instrument (plastic one even more sensitive) is rather risky.
Having had to play at an ice rink once, I was less than enthused. I borrowed a plastic instrument. I don't know if any of us in that large band were in tune in that environment!
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Author: Alex K.
Date: 2015-10-19 14:48
You can try to rent another oboe... but have him test it on the best possible reed he has. Have his teacher come in with you and help you make a selection.
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Author: FLoboeMOM
Date: 2015-10-19 20:16
Alex, thank you for the suggestion. But I had to search long and hard to find a plastic higher quality oboe to rent. The resin Loree (found out of California) was chosen since my son currently plays a wood Loree and a wood Fox Model 400.
There were no intermediate or professional plastic oboes for rent in our local area -- all we could find was a basic Yamaha 241. So we had to rent this one from California. Now that required maintenance was done, it sounds as best as it can indoors.
My son likes the suggestion of reed adjustment so he will review/adjust his reeds to find the best one that gives the best sound with this instrument. I just know that the cold will negatively affect the sound as confirmed by the oboe technician who just laughed when I mentioned that my son was assigned a sideline oboe solo in the marching band competition piece. 
Any thoughts on trying to keep the oboe warm before playing or should we just allow it to acclimate to the cold since it is resin?
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Author: jhoyla
Date: 2015-10-19 22:56
If he has an old, working reed and he doesn't mind destroying the staple, it is often easier to rub the bottom of the staple against a fine file (metal nail-file, say) or the side of a sharpening stone. That way he can shorten the reed without changing the scrape.
The main issue with cracking is in the top joint, so perhaps you can try mix-and-matching the plastic top-joint with the wooden bottom of his instrument. Don't force anything in place! Only if it fits easily - make sure the tenon is not too tight, because the tenon socket can crack. The only adjustment screws that may be needed are the con-bar height and the F#-G# trill connection over the G# tone-hole.
To warm the instrument I simply keep my (large, warm) hands wrapped round it as much as possible, especially the top joint.
Be aware that a cold instrument can have issues with the transverse-mounted keys (e.g. C# rocker, Eb key, forked F vent) - make sure they don't bind when the instrument is cold.
J.
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Author: FLoboeMOM
Date: 2015-11-04 21:56
Thanks to everyone -- my son was able to perform in the cold and rain and he sounded great. He was able to play with an adjusted reed and just did his best in the adverse conditions.
Thanks again for everyone pitching in -- the judges loved his tone - one said it was deep and almost had an English Horn timbre.
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