Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2010-03-31 15:08
Yeah, it is kind of a mystery to me why an effective alternate low C or C# option has not yet been devised for the oboe. It's not like that is a particularly *outre* tonal sequence, or anything. Clarinets have had l/r alternates for these tones standard for years and years and years. And as Chris suggests, just doing something minor to modify the banana key -- like, putting a little spatula on it -- so that it would be possible to reach seems like a no-brainer.
But, until that comes along, here's what I have devised to deal with the passage in question (sixth bar after the EH entrance in "Symphonic Metamorphosis"):
1.First of all, I do better on this with a more open reed. Check your wire before beginning!
2. It is important to get the preceeding Eb very solidly. One thing that helps is to treat that Eb (eighth note on last half of last beat of bar 5) as a pickup to the next bar, rather than as a conclusion to the bar it is in. Give it a little separation. Even take a little breath. This is also musically more coherent, I think.
3. Hover your greasy little r.h. pinky above the Db while you are doing #2.
I am finding that placing the outer tip of the finger on the edge of the Db key allows me to toggle back and forth to the C relatively easily -- especially if my brain is also engaged.
4. Rehearse bar 6 in straight (not just dotted) time. If you can do it in straight eighths, it seems much easier when you only have to do it in dotted eighths. I'm also finding that, past a point, it is actually easier to do this passage at full tilt (m.m. = half note at 80) rather than more slowly. Something about the energy of the passage itself carries it along.
Other instruments have joined in at that point, so a little flub is not as noticeable as I was afraid it would be.
Thanks for all the insightful comments. Chris P., why don't you start manufacturing a fix for this! Maybe just a retro-fitted jacket for the banana key. You could become rich!
Susan
Post Edited (2010-03-31 15:10)
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