Author: heckelmaniac
Date: 2010-06-19 08:07
In my experience, it is essential that ANY wooden oboe be warmed up EVERY time before playing- upper joint placed vertical (say) FAR up under the left arm, under shirt, under sweater, under jacket (the more layers the merrier), and the lower joint and bell FAR up under (say) the right arm in similar fashion, for a full five minutes EVERY time before playing, no matter what the season may be, no matter what the inside or outside temperature may be. In winter, I have seen even seasoned professionals take a wood oboe out of the case, put it together, plug a reed in, and simply begin playing. This is an invitation for disaster.
A few years ago, I sold a beautiful 30 year old Marigaux oboe to a talented high young lady high school student. I explained to the student in great detail how to warm up the oboe, that this warming ritual must be accomplished every time before playing, and that this was a habit not to be missed even one time.
About four weeks later, wintertime, riding on a city bus, late for her youth symphony rehearsal, she dashed into the hall, slid into her seat, put the oboe together, stuck a reed in, and began playing. Within minutes, the entire backside of the upper joint opened up from top to bottom. My repairman remarked, "if the crack had been half a millimeter wider, I likely would not even have attempted a repair..."
A quick note on the Buffet Greenline oboes. Yes, they can and
do crack. Advertised, I believe, as being "crack resistant"...
Oboes.us
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