Author: vboboe
Date: 2006-04-05 01:53
... you've already done the following DIY checks?
obvious first questions, oboe is already warm and bell is damp inside when playing lower notes? Cold oboe often balks at lower notes. And you say same reeds play other oboe OK, so rhetorical next question, is reed moist enough to play responsively when you're trying the problem oboe?
Is B-flat bridge lining up OK across bell / lower joint?
Sometimes those two tiny side bits on the B-flat bell bridge don't really close the B-flat pad enough especially if slipped topside, so be sure the alignment is centred
F# key is closing down the G# cap properly?
Sometimes the F# / G# bridge gets bent out of alignment and doesn't apply quite enough pressure on the G#, which funnily enough may not affect F#, F or E (although they may sound a bit lighter than normal, but if you've been playing awhile already like that you may not have noticed), but as soon as D is down that's when too light a touch on G# weakens your D (50% of the time you said)
If F# bridge looks a bit off centre (compare carefully with your other oboe) try nudging it into place (warm oboe, warm metal is easier), and/or press it down a bit lower (but ONLY if it's bent out of shape, otherwise try next option). It's easier to apply leverage to push it down a bit if take top joint out.
If it looks OK and not bent though, try putting a mm thin wad of paper under the head of the F# bridge to make more pressure on the G# cap, see if that makes any difference to low D and C, and if it does, next check to see if there's a tiny screw in the head of the F# bridge? It should be just touching the G# cap, give it a quarter turn downwards, after removing the paper wad of course, see if that helps. If missing screw, get it replaced
Now, if your basic F and/or left F is really good, but your forked F is really fuzzy, dull and stuffy, a leak may be happening at the E vent (the small pad between F# & E keys) and this could be old pad or adjustment screw, either way, see your favourite repair technician ASAP
If none of DIY above helps, everybody else has said it best, and it's a good thing you have a second oboe meanwhile, eh?
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