 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2009-06-17 01:00
I have an older wooden Linton English horn. I'm trying to figure out the need for a certain key. It's a "banana" type key that is located to the left (looking down the horn from the top) of the third finger of the right hand.
It looks to be operated by extending your third finger while holding down the D key. But when I do that I just get a low C.
I can't figure out what this is for. Is it some elaborate trill key? Thanks.
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Author: oboedrew
Date: 2009-06-17 01:15
Yep, it's for low C-C# trills. Finger low D, add the banana key to get low C, then trill to low C# with the right pinky.
Cheers,
Drew
www.oboedrew.com
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Author: JRJINSA
Date: 2009-06-17 17:47
Awesome! I always wondered how to use this key. I am enlightned now.  Thanks Drew!
Jay
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Author: hautbois
Date: 2009-06-17 19:35
It's for low C when you want your right hand pinky available for C# or Eflat keys immediately following playing the C. You play it while also depressing the D key with the same finger.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-06-17 20:07
Just make sure you don't come off the RH3 tonehole chimney/perforated fingerplate/split D#-E plate when using the banana key - try to use it by extending and rocking the tip of RH3 onto it so your knuckle or the fleshy part of your digit by the knuckle is still covering RH3 (not a problem if the RH3 fingerplate is solid).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: cjwright
Date: 2009-06-22 00:01
Yup, I used it for the Poulenc Sonata 3rd movement, from low Bb to Eb
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-06-22 09:33
Oboes fitted with the LH C# don't need the banana key.
If only the LH C# was standard!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: jhoyla
Date: 2009-06-22 15:13
Attachment: b_c_connection.JPG (294k)
Regarding the Poulenc Sonata, some oboes have a connection from the low B and Bb that closes the C key as well. The Bb Eb transition is no longer an issue.
Standard on the newer Loree's, I think, though often this connection is out of regulation. My repair guy told me he kept this connection deliberately loose unless he was playing the Poulenc Sonata! The danger is that low B and/or Bb won't close fully if the regulation slips the wrong way.
Picture (with arrow) attached.
J.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-06-22 21:39
The low B-C connection is standard on British, German and I think Italian spec oboes - some cors and d'amores may have it too but most won't.
On Howarth conservatoire and dual system oboes with the B-C link fitted (which is the majority of them - but still an option on d'amores and cors of the same model lineage), the B-C link is usually made in such a way so the adjusting screw can be backed off all the way to disengage it completely if you don't want it like that - if you look at the following photo you'll see the adjusting screw on the B-C link is screwed right into the pip: http://www.howarth.uk.com/pic.aspx?pic=./wo/HowarthXLBWTPOboe.jpg&pid=35115
On thumblate systems (S10, S20 and S2 instruments) and older Howarth pro oboes with it fitted (from the late '40s-'60s) it's usually fully engaged (but with minimal adjustment to regulate it) and can't be disengaged without being modified (removed completely or a new version fitted if the pillar placement will allow that) - much easier on the more recent Howarths as the connection arm is much longer and it can be bent up out the way but still enough so it can be re-regulated with the adjusting screw.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2009-06-22 21:43)
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