Author: vboboe
Date: 2008-02-03 23:02
Hey! boboboe
PLatz OBOE -- you want to know more? Simple answer first, check the springs -- the wires that push the keys back up after you've let them go -- are they 'dull grey thick wire' or 'shiny blue thin wire'?
If dull grey thick wire, you've got a basic economy beginner's oboe and that's about all you'll ever need to know {:-}
<<Serial #: 1185 on top & bottom joint and 1154 on bell >>
<<Full Con. except no left F, 3rd 8ve, and no little key for the low Bb>>
(and presumably it also doesn't have Forked F resonance vent either?)
Technically speaking this is 'modified' conservatory ... because it doesn't have the basic extra keys used most on full conservatory instruments
you've got bits of two similar oboes put together, possibly because bell 1154's top & middle were totalled, cracked or otherwise damaged beyond repair, or otherwise inexplicably a.w.o.l. -- OR, a cheaper bell (no low Bb) has been placed on 1185
so to maybe figure out which, check the C# and D trill keys on top joint to decide if the top joint is 'modified' or 'simplified' model -- if 'simplified' the bell's an OK exchange
Do you have a double D trill? The low D trill lever (mid joint) AND the upper (top joint) D trill key? or just the one C# trill on the top joint? If just one of each, then you've got a 'simplified conservatory' instrument (the C# and D trills are the little capped holes above the top joint B tone-hole)
Most of your band music's in flats, but you're not doing trills in 5 flats (Db-Eb trills) are you? You don't see music in 2 #'s very much either? And you're not into lots of trills yet anyway. So, on a beginner's instrument, doesn't matter if don't have double D trill keys
if it looks like it's a cheaper bell, don't sweat it, the oboe works as is!
Are there holes in the bell? If so, you could get an occasional low Bb by clamping the bell holes shut between your knees, just make sure the open end of the bell isn't closed off while you do that
Don't sweat it, doesn't really matter just now. How often have you seen a low B to play in your music, let alone a low Bb?
Beginner = first 2 to 2.5 years and you're 18 months at this?
Smile ... you've come a long way baby, you can now hear the difference in your own sounds and can also tell that the reed is 'kinda easy to blow', couldn't do any of that in the very beginning :-)
TIPS
Remember with any oboe without Left F or F res vent, forked F's will sound quite a bit better if you apply Eb key at the same time, it's a tricky fingering maneuver, though, have to practice quite a bit -- practice with Left Eb key first, will prep your left pinky for using Left F eventually on a more advanced instrument sometime in the unforseeable future, and meantime will free up your right pinky for the dreaded key with 4 flats (!) that's when a good way to go is Left Eb and Right Db (same fingering as C#) -- remember, you can leave Left Eb down to play Right Db as well as use LEb to fork F's
REEDS
<<kinda easy to blow (i'm going to ask her for reeds a bit harder)>>
<<well i used to have a nicer tone its just that the new reeds that came in all just plain out suck, too airy sounding, flat>>
Well, that settles it, change your reeds ASAP, your tone won't get well on these reeds [:-[
BUT ... before you get rid of them, stop, just measure them (from exact base of tube to tip of reed) ... you said you're into adjusting your Jones reeds, so i'm assuming the following is OK for you?
If they're LONGER than 70mm (as in 71mm) clip the tip to measure 70mm, (remember to measure exactly from base of tube) see if that brings up the pitch and 'hardens' the reed tip as well
if the reed's already 70mm, 'too easy' and 'flat' you could try clipping to +69mm (that is, on the 'far side' of 69mm line) and see if that helps, but DON'T shorten it any more than 69mm, when a short reed ages it will go impossibly sharp very soon
you need a little bit more resistance now than "kinda easy to blow" = a bit harder, as you said, so clipping the tips will bring up the pitch and present a thicker portion of tip edge for blowing. If it's too hard after clipping, thin the tip edge again, but only just enough to work for you
If this doesn't bring flat pitch up enough for you, get rid of the reeds! sanitize your flappy and unintense reeds, maybe donate 'em to a newbie just starting on oboe ... and get yourself some new, slightly harder and better tuned ones ... ASAP
after you get your reeds sorted, try the long tone testing thing mentioned in earlier thread
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